Audacity mixer toolbar INPUT SOURCE is grayed out

[JoeMorin]

I used to be able to record voice using either of the microphone input jacks on my media center PC but now nothing records to Audacity. Their is a jack in the back and one on the front. When we plug in the mic, RealTek HD pops up a message box that a "jack has been plugged in".

The Windows sound bar has the box checked for microphone, and when we talk it comes through the speakers loud and clear. When I hit the red "record" button, it creates a new recorded track but it's a flat line and Audacity isn't hearing it.

The input source selection on the Audacity mixer toolbar is grayed out. I downloaded and installed Audacity at work, and the device selection was NOT grayed out. It was set to mic and everything worked. Under the Edit, Preference pulldown there is an recording setting choice of MicroSoft Sound Mapper - input, line in/mic in, Realtek HD Digital Input, and Conexant Falcon Audio Capture. There are several channels.

I've tried every combination using sound mapper, line in, mic in, RealTek, and even Conexant but always it's the flat line...

I haven't added or changed the sound card itself nor it's settings, although my wife does use this computer also...

HELP PLEASE!

-Joe
Cincinnati

[kozikowski]

I can help a tiny bit. When you're at work. launch Audacity, apply sound to the computer and then carefully click once inside the red record meters. The meters should wake up and start bouncing along with the music. That's Audacity monitor mode. That lets you test things and set levels before you make a recording.

As far as your actual problem, I bet you're adjusting the wrong panel. Windows Sound Panels are a thing of wonder and majesty.

http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... trol_Panel

Koz

[steve]

I've not got a machine with RealTek sound any more, so I'm going from memory.

I'm guessing that it an on-board sound card (integrated with the mobo) and it has its own mixer interface icon in the systray (either as well as, or instead of the usual Windows mixer).

Check in Windows Control Panel (sound and audio devices), and check that the RealTek device is selected as the preferred device for recording.

Then check in the Systray mixer (check both if there are two), and check that the microphone is selected as the input.

I no this sounds a bit stupid, but look carefully when selecting the microphone as the input - some interfaces use "check to enable" and others use "check to disable". Also note that in the Windows mixer, there are two screen - one for playback and one for record (you switch screens in "Options")

If that's all set correctly, you should then be able to set the preferences in Audacity.

There's been a few questions about using the RealTek auto detection stuff, so when you get it working, it'd be great if you could post a detailed "How To".