Recording from Stereo Mix

Rmmm · Post by **Rmmm** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 2:32 am

This is a recurring problem that has a series of well written guides. I have read them carefully.
I can record from my microphone and mixer without any problem.
I can record from my headset without any problem.

But all my efforts to record from my computer's audio card using Audacity have failed.

All the parameters seem correct on Audacity.
But when I play an audio track from my computer, Audacity does not receive any signal.

Please help me debug this. I want to record Internet Radio for background music to listen to later when I am traveling and off line without internet access.

Rmmm

Post by **bgravato** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 3:31 am

What version of Windows do you have? Which sound card?

On Windows 7 (and Vista too I think) some sound card drivers no longer have the stereo mix option available...

Do you have any "stereo mix" or "mix-out" or "what u hear" option in Preferences -> Devices -> Recording device ?

Which exact version of Audacity do you have? (check in Help menu -> About)
The latest is 1.3.13.

Post by **kozikowski** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 5:50 am

Windows users always have the money-based solution.

http://www.highcriteria.com/

Total Recorder also has the advantage that it will record both sides of a Skype call.

Koz

Rmmm · Post by **Rmmm** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 10:01 am

THANKS
HERE ARE THE RESPONSES TO THE DETAILS REQUESTED:

What version of Windows do you have? Which sound card?

WINDOWS 7 Home Premium
On Board Audio - 7.1 CH HD Audio with THX TruStudio Pro
Driver Details - RealTech HighDefinition Audio
The machine also has NVIDIA HighDefinition Audio
Driver Settings (RealTech) - 16 Bits, 44100 Hz (CD Quality)

On Windows 7 (and Vista too I think) some sound card drivers no longer have the stereo mix option available...
Do you have any "stereo mix" or "mix-out" or "what u hear" option in Preferences -> Devices -> Recording device ?

YES - Audacity shows Stereo Mix as an option on Mixer Toolbar

Which exact version of Audacity do you have? (check in Help menu -> About)
The latest is 1.3.13.

Audacity 1.3.13-BETA (Unicode)

Looking forward to your further guidance.
Rmmm

Post by **bgravato** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 11:47 am

Read this topic in the wiki: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Recor ... er#Windows

Let us know if those instructions solve your problem.

Rmmm · Post by **Rmmm** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 3:11 pm

Re: Recording from Stereo Mix
bgravato » Tue Jun 14, 2011 11:47 am
Read this topic in the wiki: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Recor ... er#Windows
Let us know if those instructions solve your problem.

As indicated in my first post, I have made full use of the existing resources including the Wiki article you suggest.

My system appears absolutely normal.
Recording from any external source works fine.
For example, my internet headset.

For streaming audio from my computer, Audacity goes "deaf".
I have selected all combinations of the various Tool Mixer Bar options.
None seem to allow Audacity to catch the audio stream.

For example, I play a music file in MediaPlayer.
Switching between MIMI and Windows Direct Sound in the AUDIO HOST = no effect.
Switching between Stereo MIx (Realtek High Definition Audio) and Microsoft Sound Mapper = no effect.
Switching between Stereo and Mono = no effect.

Further suggestions?? Many thanks.

Post by **kozikowski** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 3:25 pm

YES - Audacity shows Stereo Mix as an option on Mixer Toolbar

What Audacity thinks is irrelevant. If you can't find "Stereo Mix" in the Windows Control Panels (with Audacity closed) that's the end of the story. Audacity can only use what the operating system provides.

Koz

Rmmm · Post by **Rmmm** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:15 pm

Thanks..
Let me try again.
I assure you that STEREO MIX is indeed an option in the Control Panel - Manage Sound Devices - Recording option.

Please see the attached JPEG snapshot.

I am not a software expert but I know how to read and study and think things through.
I read everything I could find and tried everything before posting.

Thanks for the help. Hope there is something that I am missing.
Rmmm

: Stereo Mix.JPG (66.72 KiB) Viewed 3192 times

Post by **steve** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:39 pm

Select "Stereo Mix" in the Recording panel (your screenshot), then click the "Properties" button - you may then need to go to the "Advanced" tab (I don't have Win7 so I can't check). Look for the "Quality" settings and set it to "16-bit 44100 Hz stereo CD quality". There may also be an option for "Exclusive mode" - if there is, select that also.

Then go to Audacity: "Edit menu > Preferences > Quality" and set it also to 16 bit, 44100 Hz.

Then try again (with both "Host" options).

Rmmm · Post by **Rmmm** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 12:03 am

Thanks..
The consistency between bit rate (16 bit) and sample rate (44100 Hz) is clearly described in the Wiki article. I already tried this before posting my query.

Must be some other little detail I am missing.

Thanks.
The screen shots here show the settings match.

Hope someone has the key on this.
Everything looks right and Audacity performs perfectly for external input.
If we can sort this out, it will benefit lots of users who face this same issue.
Something is just being overlooked. But I cannot seem to catch it.

Please keep trying.
Rmmm

: Control Panel RealTek Properties.JPG (46.65 KiB) Viewed 3180 times