No waveform appears in Audacity window

[pek]

I just installed Audacity v1.2.5 following (checking and rechecking) all the instructions. I have my Ion iTTUSB turntable connected to my Intel-chip iMac (OS10.4.11). The record I'm trying to record into the computer plays through the iMac and the meters are working, but no waveform appears in the Audacity window. (Yes, the toolbars are all checked in the Interface window.) Therefore, I am stuck, and help will be appreciated.

[kozikowski]

First thing, shut down the Mac, disconnect the USB turntable and restart. Leave the turntable off. When everything is working again, go into the Mac System Preferences and make sure the built-in microphone is selected as the input and the little lights flash when you talk.

Close the panel. Open Audacity, select Default Input as the audio source and try to make a short recording with you talking. Make sure the level control is all the way up. Did that work? Do you get the jumping red lights and a waveform on the timeline? Forget the turntable until we get the basic sound services working.

Koz

[DavidG]

First thing, shut down the Mac, disconnect the USB turntable and restart. Leave the turntable off. When everything is working again, go into the Mac System Preferences and make sure the built-in microphone is selected as the input and the little lights flash when you talk.

Close the panel. Open Audacity, select Default Input as the audio source and try to make a short recording with you talking. Make sure the level control is all the way up. Did that work? Do you get the jumping red lights and a waveform on the timeline? Forget the turntable until we get the basic sound services working.

Koz

I am experiencing the same problem. I can make a recording through built in sound input, and through iMic USB headset, monitor the input, and play it back; but no waveform is shown.

iMac G5, OSX 10.4.11

[pek]

Koz & David G.Thanks for the help. I followed the advice and also played around some with my technique and got the waveform to work and even ripped and burned my first CD. PEK

[kozikowski]

Wait a minute. You make a recording and you don't get a screen that looks like this?

http://kozco.com/audacity/audacityPanel.jpg

Or you get that screen but the blue lines are straight instead of thick and wiggly?

Koz

[DavidG]

Wait a minute. You make a recording and you don't get a screen that looks like this?

http://kozco.com/audacity/audacityPanel.jpg

Or you get that screen but the blue lines are straight instead of thick and wiggly?

Koz

Koz,

Precisely that, screen but no waveform - straight blue lines..

DavidG

[kozikowski]

When you make a recording, do the bouncing red lights on the upper right consistently stay below 36? Audio below 36, besides being way too low, will not show up on the waveform.

Koz

[DavidG]

When you make a recording, do the bouncing red lights on the upper right consistently stay below 36? Audio below 36, besides being way too low, will not show up on the waveform.

Koz

Koz,

Sound input as monitored, usually around the -12 mark. But still nothing in the waveform window. BTW, I've installed Audacity 1.2.6 now in Leopard 10.5.1 - same problem as in Tiger. I assume by bouncing red lights, you mean the red strip indicator in the Meter Toolbar?

DavidG.