Default to PAUSE as I attempt to record

[mervkopp]

I use a MacBook Pro with version 10.6.4. For the past month I have easily and seamslessly dubbed 34 LP's to my Mac (iTunes) and then dubbed to CD's.. Yesterday, when I clicked on the circle (R) button to dub an LP, Audacity had the audacity to immediately default to the far left PAUSE button, therefore stopping the process. I've been through all of the Preferences, and tried everything I can think of, including your earlier 1.2 version and the same action occurs. F Y I: I've made 10 attempts to record and have had the same result. (Reminds me of the definition of insanity.) How can I record without the automatic default to pause? Thank you.

[kozikowski]

If you've been dubbing your brains out, did you fill up your hard drive? Sudden Unexplained Computer Insanity.

Go > Computer > Control-Click on the system drive > Get Info. You need to maintain at least 10% or more free space on your production drive.

Have you shut down the computer? Mine almost never shuts down, so I get occasionally stuck with oddball configurations. It all goes away when I bring the machine down to power off. Make sure it Chongs at you when you start it.

Koz

[mervkopp]

I have alll kinds of room on my HD = 92.24 GB.
Yes. I've re-started, re-booted, etc. unplugged, re-plugged, deleted audacity, re-installed audacity, and clicked every button that had some possible meaning for the problem. Also unplugged the turn table, used another similar USB cable, etc. I also changed the LP to one I had already dubbed, and no matter what I do, boom, it still automatically defaults to pause when i tell it to record.

[billw58]

Have you accidentally turned on "Sound Activated Recording"? It's under the Transport menu.

-- Bill

[Gale Andrews]

While having enabled "Sound Activated Recording" would be a likely explanation in Audacity Beta (this means that both Record and Pause will appear depressed, and Pause will lift when there is a signal above the threshold), it cannot be the explanation if you see the same problem in 1.2 because 1.2 does not have that feature.

It's quite possible your Memorex USB turntable could have developed a fault. Switch the "Recording Device" to "Built-in Audio" in the Audacity Devices Preferences, click OK. The Mixer Toolbar selector should say what input you are recording from (probably built in mic) or you can choose it at Applications > Utilities > Audio-MIDI Setup. Now press Record, making sure Transport > Sound Activated Recording is unchecked. What happens and what is the state of the Record and Pause buttons (up or down)?

For future reference you can initialise the 1.3 Preferences:
http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Audac ... reset_beta

which can cure oddities in 1.3 but it still would not explain the problem being in 1.2 also.

If the turntable has RCA cables you can record into the Mac line input by means of an RCA stereo > 1/8 inch TRS adaptor.




Gale

[mervkopp]

Hi Gale: The first item to help was to uncheck Sound Activated Recording. The recording began without defaulting to Pause. However, I got incredible earsplitting feedback. I went to Preferences per your suggestion and begin trial and error until it began to record in proper fashion. First I reduced the output level slider to .8 - probably not too important, but saved my ear drums.

FYI: in Preferences: Devices I now have: HOST = Core Audio; DEVICE = Built-in Output; RECORD = USB Audio CODEC, and it's working perfectly. I've print-screened and kept your reply just in case something similar pops up again. Thank you very much for your help. Gratefully, Merv Kopp