Mic works with Skype but not Audacity, using Win7

[rhst1]

Have tried mic input with both 1.2 and 1.3 Audacity and no sound is recorded. Same equipment works fine with Skype. Any ideas on what is wrong, how to fix? Am using Windows 7.

Thanks.

[steve]

Ensure that Skype is completely shut down (not even open in the background) before you open Audacity.
Skype tends to take over the computer sound system making it difficult or impossible for Audacity to run correctly.

[rhst1]

Thanks Steve. I closed Skype, but still nothing in Audacity.

[steve]

For Wind 7, forget about Audacity 1.2.x, the recommended version is Audacity 1.3.12.
You can check the exact version number in "Help menu > About Audacity"
If necessary, download Audacity 1.3.12 from here: http://audacityteam.org/download/

What sort of microphone are you using? Does it plug into your sound card? Is it a USB microphone?

[rhst1]

I downloaded and installed the latest version of Audacity before posting. The mic plugs into the mic jack on the computer - a dual core HP laptop.

[steve]

In Audacity go to "Edit menu > Preferences > Devices" and ensure that your sound card is selected for recording and playback.
In the sound card recording preferences (right click on the sound card icon near the Desktop time date) set the microphone as the default recording input - you can also set the "quality" setting here - 16 bit 44100 Hz mono is recommended (if available), and set the recording level.

[rhst1]

Thanks for your persistence, but having tried all the recent suggestions, I'm sorry to report no success.

[steve]

So what is happening when you try to record?

[rhst1]

Just a flat blue line.

[steve]

What are your settings in Audacity "Edit menu > Preferences > Devices"?
What are your Recording settings in the Windows Control Panel? http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Mixer ... trol_Panel