Monitor Track 1 so I can Record Track 2

[RevOrin]

I read another post about this but that newbie, unlike my newbieship, figured this out but didn't say how. I use Audacity 1.2.6 on Win Home XPSP2 to compose my multi-tracks and keep time by way of an old-fashioned Metronome de Maelzel (loud and no batteries). My problem is that if I want to listen to an already recorded track in Audacity as a guide and tempo for recording another track the first track also gets recorded along with the second track.

I figure I haven't made the correct combinations and selections, but I sure would appreciate the magic solution.

I'm not concerned with latency (I can adjust using beats or time codes) or other concerns, as Audacity works quite well for my purposes and I'm grateful for those who give us such amazing tools. Also, I use Audacity as a quick recording device that is very handy and requires very little setup time when a tune comes to me and I want to get it down quickly, which means I connect my guitars directly into the Mic Input without any probs (HighPass and Low Pass really help here). I've been using a little Sony Vaio notebook for this work without any difficulties or other problems. Nothing fancy, but I sure would like to hear what I want to harmonize with or lay down a riff or baseline to without having to hope I listened to the metronome beats correctly.

Thanks to those who help. I also appreciate the fact that I haven't seen any trolls on this forum. Thanks to whoever takes care of that.

[steve]

My problem is that if I want to listen to an already recorded track in Audacity as a guide and tempo for recording another track the first track also gets recorded along with the second track.
I figure I haven't made the correct combinations and selections, but I sure would appreciate the magic solution.

The "magic solution" is not in Audacity, but in the sound card mixer (which is often the "Windows Mixer", but it may be one that is specific to your sound card).

Look in the sys tray (near the clock) for a loudspeaker icon.
Double click on it to bring up the mixer.
Find the "Record" settings page (often this is by clicking on "Options")
Mute ALL the inputs EXCEPT for the input that you are wanting to use. Often the default is "Stereo Mix" (sometimes called "Mix" or "What U Hear") - this will record everything that is sent to the speakers and cause the problem that you are experiencing.

In Audacity, go to "Edit > Preferences > Audio I/O"
Select "Play other tracks while recording New one"
De-select "software playthrough".

[RevOrin]

This is what I understand you to say:
1. I've left my Recording Mixer both "On" and in its Stereo Mode, therefore it plays back whichever other track might be active. And it also plays whatever other track I'm not using during Record Mode whenever I'm simply using my motherboard's sound card regardless of my need for either Input or Output.

2. By de-selecting the Stereo Mix option in my "Volume>Master Volume>Options>Mixer Device>Sound Card Input" I should be eliminating the problem of the Output (recorded Track 1) re-mixing with the new Input (Track 2)

3. By deselecting Audacity's "Software Playthrough" I am also giving myself the choice to either hear or not hear the other Track(s) that I can choose myself.

4. I also eliminated what I thought was just a cheap (not that it isn't) sound card by de-selecting "Mic Boost" in the Mic Volume's Advanced window.

5. I left only the Mic Volume Selected in the sound card's Primary Input Recording Control window.

6. And, my Audacity Preferences are set to the Microsoft Sound Mapper for both Output and Input, with Channel 1 (Mono); "Play other tracks" is the only selection in the Playthrough Section, and the rest is set to Default.

Well, after all is said and done I must congratulate you on the Step-by-Step, as it worked perfectly the first time around. I can't thank you enough, stevethefiddle; you not only solved the mystery but you also allowed us to now get an awful lot of work done that we have to run through PTLEMac and then into FCP to sum it all up.

Audacity certainly makes life a lot easier. Thanks to you all.
Rev. Dr. Orin Jenkins
mpvoriginals.com