Audacity freezes all sound input on OSX installation

[aengleranderson]

Today, I downloaded and installed the beta (audacity-macosx-ub-1.3.12.dmg) on may MacBook Pro running OSX 10.6.3 in order to capture an audio file being played so I could convert it to a ringtone.

While Audacity did load, I was not only unable to get it to record the sound being played, but later found that it had apparently disabled the sound input from both the internal microphone as well as the line-in jack.

I no have no input sound on the Powerbook either from the built-in microphone, or a microphone that I attached to the line in. In System Preferences/Sounds/Input, the input sound level bar appears blank no matter what or how loud I attempt to test it either with the internal microphone, or an external microphone attached to the line in.

I have re-booted twice (1 restart, one power off), removed Audacity from my Applications folder, yet my I still am not able to input sound. Neither the sound level bar registers, nor can my callers on SKYPE 2.8.0438 hear me!

Please tell me how to restore input audio to my Mac from the abortive Audacity installation/use!

Thank you.

[kozikowski]

Macs do not have any natural ability to record their own show.

http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Recor ... e_computer

<<<Please tell me how to restore input audio to my Mac>>>

Apple > System Preferences > Hardware > Sound > Input. Select where you want the sound to come from -- built-in microphone, etc. Speak and the sound meter will bounce.

Output will select where you want the sound to go -- built-in speakers, etc.

Koz

[aengleranderson]

Thank you.

I tried that. They do not bounce no matter what I have tried so far. I get no sound either when set on built-in mic or line in (with external microphone). No sound level appears on either blank meter. Also tried placing telephone call via SKYPE and my call recipient cannot hear me at all.

[kozikowski]

<<<Also tried placing telephone call via SKYPE and my call recipient cannot hear me at all.>>>

Great. We love Skype. Skype creates all sorts of problems.

<<<I tried that. They do not bounce>>>

There is no "they." You're looking at the wrong thing.

Close Audacity. Close Skype. Close email. Close everything back to the desktop.

Click the apple in the far upper left of the desktop.

Apple > System Preferences > Hardware > Sound > Input > Internal Microphone.

Set volume about half-way and the single row of blue balls should kick when you speak.

Even more good news, you can't record Skype without special considerations and I don't remember what those are on a Mac.

Can you give us a really good idea what you're trying to do? Is this a webcast with Skype interviews?

Koz

[kozikowski]

http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/e ... skype.html

I have no experience with this, but this is the kind of thing you would need to record Skype.

Koz

[aengleranderson]

I am not trying to record SKYPE. At this juncture, I am merely trying to undo what Audacity apparently did to my computer (i.e., made my sound input non-functional).

I am trying to restore any kind of input sound to my MacBook Pro, either with the internal microphone or an external one connected through the line-in jack. I have no working sound input since the Audacity installation.

Per your suggestion, I closed all running apps including SKYPE, and then opened System Preferences/Sound/Input. Again, no sound is registering on the level meter when set to internal microphone and I scream loudly. Likewise, when I set it to line-in, no sound registers.

The only time I am able to get any color on the sound meter is when I quickly remove the male jack from the line-in. The meter darkens for a fraction of a second.

I have removed the Audacity application and its folder in the Library/Application Support/Audacity. I fear there may be other plug-ins or extensions I am unaware of.

My About this Mac/More info reads: "Intel High Definition Audio:

Device ID: 0x106B00A4
Audio ID: 58
Available Devices:
Speaker:
Connection: Internal
Headphone:
Connection: Combo
Internal Microphone:
Connection: Internal
Line In:
Connection: Combo
S/P-DIF Out:
Connection: Combo
S/P-DIF In:
Connection: Combo"

Any ideas how I can restore my input sound to its working state?

[kozikowski]

I need to read that again carefully and come back when I have more than a minute or two. You may have installed Audacity in the wrong folder and that's what's affecting sound services.

Koz

[bgravato]

That's a really weird behaviour... I can't understand how installing audacity (or any other app) could possibly have done that...

I have audacity 1.3.12 running on my macbook pro with snow leopard 10.6.3 with no problems...

I wonder if that problem is related to audacity at all or if it was just an unlucky coincidence...

Searching on google I found this curious thread:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=410734

Also check this one:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jsp ... D=11404831

[aengleranderson]

PROBLEM SOLVED!

Thank you.

Just like the guy on http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=410734 , I tapped my microphone (actually, I opened and shut the lid, thereby disconnecting from the AT&T wireless connnection, as well). Lo and behold, a healthy bar of sound registered on the sound meter under the System/Preferences/Sound/Input that I had open on the desktop. My sound input problem has been solved.

Was there any connection with Audacity? How did this opening and closing the laptop lid affect the microphone? Even if the microphone were obscured by dust, there would likely have been some sound. All a puzzlement, but thank you again!

[Horse]

Try opening Audacity and moving the Microphone volume slider off of zero. My mac refused to work with the Internal Mic on Skype or even on the Sound Pref Pane page until eventually I traced the problem to Audacitys Microphone Level setting. Just raised it off of zero and everything, and all applications now work fine. Why i dont know?