Struggling to record audio played on the computer

[ajaggysnake]

Hi

I'm struglling to rcord the audio that my computer is playing (ie ripping audio from youtube)
In 'Preferences' under ' Playback' i have two options-
Microsoft Sound Mapper-Output or
Realtek HD Audio Output


and under 'Recording' I have-
Microsoft Sound Mapper-input,
Realtek HD Audio Output or
Realtek HD Digital Output

and none of the combinations of these are allowing me to record the sound that i am playing on my computer, is ther some thing big i'm missing? I set it up to work last year and it was fine, but since then un-installed and re-installed Audacity and can not remeber how i set it up last time :/

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[kozikowski]

Which Windows?

Koz

[RuthParry]

Similarly, I cannot get the dropdown mixer menu to show any inputs. This is a reinstall of audacity for me subsequent to an updating of my PC that included insertion of a new, Realtek High defnition soundcard - device manager tells me I am have driver version 5.10.0.5324 installed.
Windows XP
I have set all preferences on Audio I/O in audacity and in the Control panel /sounds and audio to Realtek HD for both recording and audioplayback
Any advice welcome
Thanks
Ruth Parry
Nottingham UK.

[ajaggysnake]

Which Windows?

Koz

XP

[kozikowski]

Just for form, try Window''s own sound recorder:

<<<Windows Sound Recorder is a great idea, it's in the Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Entertainment>>>

Audacity is a complete slave to Window's internal sound services. If Windows can't see it, Audacity can't see it.

Koz

[ajaggysnake]

Just for form, try Window''s own sound recorder:

<<<Windows Sound Recorder is a great idea, it's in the Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Entertainment>>>

Audacity is a complete slave to Window's internal sound services. If Windows can't see it, Audacity can't see it.

Koz

That doesn't seem to be recording any sound either :/

[j3ry]

I am in the same boat with Vista on my new desktop.
Followed Audacities info resetting Windows sound device as well as setting Audio I/O in Audacity.
Levels have been set and nothing records.

Windows recorder does not record on line music or the "line-in."

My laptop with XP works fine for everything.

[alatham]

ajaggysnake and j3ry,

You both have a driver problem, your sound card drivers won't allow you to access the Stereo Mix input.

You have three options:
1) Update your sound card drivers to a set that gives you the access you need (this is the easy solution, but is unlikely to work for most people).
2) Run a cable from the Line Out of your sound card to the Line In of your sound card and use Audacity to record from the Line In source. You'll need a y-adapter if you want to plug your speakers in at the same time.
3) Buy a new sound card.

[j3ry]

Thanks alatham.

Although my desktop is brand new, I downloaded updated the driver. That helped. Still some quirks as noted in the next msg.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Got a new Lenovo desktop w/Vista. Been struggling for several hours to record line-in and streaming.

Audacity hung up a couple of times and a window poped up implying is was sending in the trbl.

An hour later while working on this issue the Mixer input bar suddenly pops up!!! Did Audacity send me an updated file???
(Version 1.2.6); Beta ver still has no Mixer bar.

Great! I can now record line-in & streaming (with Windows cntrls set right; it was easier on XP).

However, when selecting the Mixer input to CD Player, it don't work. But while playing a CD, you have to reselect stereo-mix
and it'll start recording the CD player. Odd that the record-bar has to sit at minimum to prevent distortion.

More work for Audacity/Vista to go yet.