I cann't record!!

lpvmc · Post by **lpvmc** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 1:59 pm

Hi,

A question, from a newbie as you will see, nevertheless.

This is my set-up:

Toshiba Satellite M70-168:
IO2 soundcard, connected to computer, set to: MIC/LINE, Stereo
Samson condensor mic CO1 plugged into the IO2
The IO2 is in my control panel.
Audacity 1.3.6. Preferences: Record: IO2; Play: Realtek AC97 Audio; Stereo
All volumes are open.

When I start a New project:
1. The mic doesn't show in the Toolbar (up right, just says: usb audiodevice
2. Monitor level doesn't do anything, just a small 'red' band that doesn't move

So, in conclusion: I cann't record!!

Thanks for any advice!!

Post by **steve** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:35 pm

After setting Audacity Preferences (Edit > Preferences > Audio I/O) to use the IO2, you may need to restart Audacity.

Note that with USB audio devices it is essential that they are connected and registered by Windows before you open Audacity.

If still no joy, try rebooting.

If still no joy after rebooting, see this article - it is about using USB turntables, but much of it will also apply to using a USB sound card: http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... turntables

lpvmc · Post by **lpvmc** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 4:00 pm

Thanks for the quick response.

I tried all three suggestions but without any success.

Other suggestions are very welcome.

Post by **steve** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 4:05 pm

Do you have a good recording level showing on the IO2?

Also, it looks like you should be able to listen through headphones connected to the IO2, in which case you need to go to "Edit > Preferences > Audio I/O" and set the IO2 as both the recording and playback device.

Are you recording 1 channel (mono) or 2 channels (stereo) ?

Which input on the IO2 do you have the microphone plugged into?

Do you have phantom power switched on?

lpvmc · Post by **lpvmc** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:58 pm

Do you have a good recording level showing on the IO2?

Okay this is what I did: Opened Control panel > Sound/Audio.
There is a dropdown button Volume wher it says IO2 on top but the volume settings are greyed out.
There is also an Audio dropdown button. On the top of that screen it says: speakers but on the buttom it reads: IO2. There are three vertical volume slide bars (sound wave, SW and CD player) which are all set to high volume.

Also, it looks like you should be able to listen through headphones connected to the IO2, in which case you need to go to "Edit > Preferences > Audio I/O" and set the IO2 as both the recording and playback device.

Tried this but hear nothing through the headphones.

Are you recording 1 channel (mono) or 2 channels (stereo) ?

Stereo

Which input on the IO2 do you have the microphone plugged into?

Mic Input (1), furthermore I chose: Mic/Line, Stereo

Do you have phantom power switched on?

Tried it "on" and "off" with no difference.

If you need more info please let me know. Thanks for your help/time!!

Post by **steve** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 11:56 am

stevethefiddle wrote:Do you have a good recording level showing on the IO2?

I mean on the IO2 itself - do you have jumping lights showing on the unit when you speak into the microphone?

: LED meters in middle of IO2; IO2.png (87.08 KiB) Viewed 1362 times

lpvmc · Post by **lpvmc** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:06 pm

No, I don't see any lights other than the USB light. In fact I have to connect/disconect the soundcard several times to get, or change to another usb port.

lpvmc · Post by **lpvmc** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:32 pm

Okay, I see the lights now. The gain is set almost to maximum on the IO2, with Phantom Power Switch on. If I cough or clap my hands nex to the microphone the lights light up.

In Audacaity nothing happens. If I hit monitor to test the loudness of the sound there is no red/pink bar.

Should I be able to set the volume for the mic as well?? Looking for the mic in the control panel I found that there is no mic under IO2 but there is one under my Realtek AC97 Audio card. There is a "v" in front of Selected which I cann't undo.

Hope someone out there can help me out.

Thanks in advance.

P.S. If screen shots might be of any help let me know which ones you want.

lpvmc · Post by **lpvmc** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:43 pm

Okay the latest news: on the right side of the IO2 there is this little button: input, digital/analog. I changed it from digital to analog and now I can monitor the input signal and record.

If this button is set to digital it is meant to record midi, right??

So, problem solved, I guess.

Thanks stevethefiddle for your help. It's much appreciated.

Post by **waxcylinder** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:44 pm

lpvmc wrote:If this button is set to digital it is meant to record midi, right??

Actually it is probably meant to record a digital input signal - for instance the digital SPDIF output from a minidisc player or deck - or the output of a DAT recorder etc. MIDI isn't actually a signal - just a set of instructions to say play this note for this period of time and then the next note etc. - so you'd normally have to pass the Midi instructions through a Midi player and then on to the soundcard - whether this signal is digital or analog will depend on the output of the Midi player - I can't tell from the specs of your Alesis whether it actually contains on on-boad Midi player, but it looks as though it might

The signal that your mic generates is analog, which is why it works now that you have the soundcard set to analog.

Nice looking soundcard BTW.

WC

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