Trouble getting the software to record, windows 7 computer

[MattS]

I just downloaded and installed the beta version of Audacity on my 64bit Windows 7 computer. However, every time I hit the record button, with my headset microphone hooked up to the front microphone and headphone ports, I get an error message which states "Error while opening sound device. I also tried recording with my microphone hooked up to the rear microphone port. Please check the input device settings and the project sample rate." The project sample rate is set at 44100 Hz and this microphone has been used on the front ports of the computer before. I checked in the Edit --> preferences section of Audacity and when I go to "Devices", under "Recording" it says "No devices found" in the "Device" drop down menu. So there is no option to select the microphone I usually use even though it is plugged into my computer. What's going on here and how can I make Audacity record on my computer?

[steve]

I checked in the Edit --> preferences section of Audacity and when I go to "Devices", under "Recording" it says "No devices found" in the "Device" drop down menu.

In the Windows Control Panel you need to enable the microphone recording input. See here: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Mixer ... trol_Panel

[kozikowski]

Two quick notes. Audacity is a complete slave to whatever the computer does, so if the computer can't find your sound device, Audacity has no chance.

Audacity has an unfortunate default of 44100, 32-bit floating and Stereo. Change the preferences to 44100, 16-bit Stereo and restart Audacity.

Koz

[MattS]

I am one of the unfortunate people who have Realtek HD audio. I found the stereo mix icon in my sound control panel and I tried enabling it and increasing the volume level on it and muting all the other devices on my computer but it still didn't work. I'm kinda lost here. Are there any additional resources for Windows 7 users who have Realtek audio? (I'm going to read more deeply into the forum thread that was linked off of the the thread that was posted by the first responder in this thread.)

[steve]

I found the stereo mix icon in my sound control panel and I tried enabling it and increasing the volume level on it and muting all the other devices on my computer but it still didn't work.

It didn't work in what way? You are still getting the error message "Error while opening sound device" or you are just getting no sound recorded (flat-line)?

[MattS]

I found the stereo mix icon in my sound control panel and I tried enabling it and increasing the volume level on it and muting all the other devices on my computer but it still didn't work.

It didn't work in what way? You are still getting the error message "Error while opening sound device" or you are just getting no sound recorded (flat-line)?

I was still getting the same error message.

[steve]

If you go into Audacity Preferences > Devices, does it still say no devices found?

[whomper]

I am one of the unfortunate people who have Realtek HD audio. I found the stereo mix icon in my sound control panel and I tried enabling it and increasing the volume level on it and muting all the other devices on my computer but it still didn't work. I'm kinda lost here. Are there any additional resources for Windows 7 users who have Realtek audio? (I'm going to read more deeply into the forum thread that was linked off of the the thread that was posted by the first responder in this thread.)

what is your driver
probably needs updating
early ones had problems for sure

i ahd to increase the volume to max and unmute in 7 different places on my pc to get my realtek to work with audacity

hit the i symbol at the bottom of the realtek panel
it should tell you all about your version etc

less than ...5408 may be bad driver

download the realtek docs
and the latest driver from your pc maker or realtek

[whomper]

Two quick notes. Audacity is a complete slave to whatever the computer does, so if the computer can't find your sound device, Audacity has no chance.

Audacity has an unfortunate default of 44100, 32-bit floating and Stereo. Change the preferences to 44100, 16-bit Stereo and restart Audacity.

Koz

feature request
make the default 44.1/16 and not 32

32 is totally unnecessary
24 bits gives 4 more than is theoretically usable due to thermal noise limitations (per the audio chip makers)
and this gives 4 bits to play with as the data is processed so that does not affect the final exported wav file quality

default record to 24 if needed
but default export to 16
and of course all should be manually overrideable in the options

[steve]

32 is totally unnecessary

32 bit processing give significant quality improvements during audio processing, particularly with low level signals.
By way of demonstration, try amplifying a 16 bit track by -50dB, then amplifying by +50dB. You will notice a significant deterioration in sound quality. Do the same in 32 bit and the result is virtually identical to the original. Processing in 32 bit float is also faster than 16 bit processing due to the architecture of modern computers.

but default export to 16

The default Export format in Audacity 1.3.11 is 16 bit WAV.

and of course all should be manually overrideable in the options

Theses defaults may be overridden in Preferences.