Sub-optimal recording in Audacity

[mikemunsil]

I admit it, I am a Newbie at this. However, I am a damn good Geologist, so help me out and if you ever need geologic help, I'm there for you!

Here's what I have, what I did and where I stand right now. Any ideas?

Test 1 Setup

Hardware:

Behringer XENYX 502 Mixer
U-Control UCA200 Audio to USB converter
Computer: Saony VAIO PGC-K33

Software:

OS: Windows XP Home
Audio: Audacity 1.3 Beta

Audacity Settings:

Audio I/O
- Playback MME: Microsoft Sound Mapper - Output
- Recording MME: Microsoft Sound Mapper - Input

Channels 1 (Mono)


Cabling:

Microphone to Mixer canon plug MIC Line In Headphones to Mixer Phones jack
Mixer CD/Tape Input L/R jacks to Converter Input

L/R jacks
Mixer CD/Tape Output L/R jacks to Converter

Output L/R jacks

Converter USB to Latop Computer USB2 port

Mixer Settings:

CD/Tape to Phones Button - In
CD/Tape to Mix Button - Out

Phones Control - centered
Main Mix -centered, 0

Trim - +5
EQ High - 0
EQ Low - +5
Channel 1 Level - +5
Channels 2/3,4/5 Levels/Bal - Level -00, Bal centered

Result:

No recording in Audacity. Cannot hear input from mic in headhones.

Test 2 Setup Change:

Mixer Settings:

CD/Tape to Phones Button - Out
CD/Tape to Mix Button - In

Result:

No recording in Audacity. CAN hear input from mic in headhones, way too loud.

Test 3 Setup Change:

Mixer Settings:

Phones Control - 3/4 counterclockwise
Main Mix -centered, +5

Result:

No recording in Audacity. CAN hear input from mic in headhones. Good balance and sound in headphones.


Test 4 Setup Change:

Reversed plugs on USB Converter. Now as follows:

Mixer CD/Tape Input L/R jacks to Converter

Output L/R jacks
Mixer CD/Tape Output L/R jacks to Converter

Input L/R jacks

Result:


No change from Test 3.



Test 4 Setup Change:

Reset to Test 2 settings.

Audacity Edit Preferences changed to:
Playback MME: USB Audio Codec
Recording MME: USB Audio Codec

Result:

No recording in Audacity. CAN hear input from mic in headhones. Good balance and sound in headphones.


Test 5 Setup Change:

Windows OS - went to Control Panel, Sound and Audio Devices, set sound recording default device to USB Audio Codec (first one, location 0). Left Sound Playback to ALi Audi Wave.

Unselected "Use only default devices" checkbox.

Result:


No recording in Audacity. CAN hear input from mic in headhones. Good balance and sound in headphones.

Test 6 Setup Change:

Mixer Settings:

CD/Tape to Phones Button - In
CD/Tape to Mix Button - In

No recording in Audacity. Cannot hear input from mic in headhones.


Test 7 Setup Change:

Reset to Test 5 setup

Windows OS - went to Control Panel, Add Hardware and detected new device. Found ALi Audio Accelerator WDM driver, Audio Codecs and two (2) separate USB Audio devices. Checked both USB Audio devices and they appeared to be working.


Test 8 Setup Change:


Checked audio drivers. First USB Audio Codec is location 0, USB Audio (dated 2001). Second USB Audio Codec is location 1, Vosky Call Center.

The Vosky Call center is a device that I use with Skype to route my Skype calls through and from a regular wireless handset. I turned off Skype and Vosky BEFORE these tests.

Audacity - Edit Preferences, Audio I/O, changed

Recording to Windows DirectSound: USB Audio Codec

Result:

Squiggles. (we're getting somewhere!) No playback.

Playback change:

Audacity - Edit Preferences, Audio I/O, changed

Playback to WindowsDirect Sound: Primary Sound Driver

Result:

Crackle, buzz. (we're still getting somewhere, but we ain't there yet)


Playback change:

Selected entire soundtrack. Applied Audacity - Effect, Amplify

Result:

Loud, crackles, hiss and nasty almost-voice that kinda sounds like my head is up my ass on a freeway.


I give up. Any ideas?

Edited to add: Just found and downloaded Behringer Universal ASIO driver. Will try installing the driver and see what happens.

Hmmm, apparently you need a Behringer USB thinige driver for the USB thingie to work properly. Who knew?

Shiny!!

[steve]

A nice detailed write-up. I'm just on my way out, so I'll have to be brief:
From a quick read through the thing I notice:

In Audacity - "Edit menu > Preferences > Audio I/O", set the recording and playback devices to USB (the UCA 202) - I'm not sure exactly what it is listed as in Windows (I'm on Linux) but it will most likely mention USB.

The ASIO driver will make no difference - Audacity does not support ASIO.

Let me know how you get on - I'll have another look after the weekend.
Good luck.