Help--I'm new to this and so confused

[kjohnsn912]

I have been using Audacity with an Audio-Technica turntable connected via the microphone jack on the back of the computer. Everything has been working just fine. Now I need to use my really old turntable (1970s) to record my old 78s. It is connected via an ION MixMeister through an USB port. I have tried everything I can think of, read the manual, followed instructions, and still get no sound through my speakers and nothing recording on Audacity. Now I have no sound on my computer at all, even with the USB device disconnected. Rebooted the computer--same problem. Obviously I've changed a setting somewhere, but have no idea where. I right-click on the speaker icon; it shows that the speakers are the default. I am using the most current version of Audacity (2.02), Windows 7 Pro 64-bit. Can anyone help me to get my sound back and then to record my old 78s.

Thanks,
Kathy

[thor21344]

As far as no sound comming out of the speaker NOW, it sounds like you have them MUTED. open the speakers and check to see if the MUTE is checked. hook up the USB and make sure that the computer sees the turntable. if it does not then Audacity will not either

[kjohnsn912]

The speakers are not muted: I had already checked that. I checked the levels in the other program that I use for music (Creative MediaSource) because that sometimes affects things, but it was not muted or low either. My speakers are turned on and the sound turned up. I even tried restoring my system back to an earlier point where I knew the sound was working, but that had no effect either.
Kathy

[steve]

Getting the sound back is the first job.

Check the speaker connections in case you disturbed something while you were trying to get the turntable working.
Shut down the computer, disconnect the turntable, disconnect any web cam or other peripherals that you may have connected, check the speaker connections then reboot the computer.

If there is still no sound, check the settings in the Windows Control Panel: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Mixer ... es#vistacp

[kjohnsn912]

Followed the instructions on the web site involving the Control Panel/Sound--everything okay. Turned computer off, unplugged everything including speakers. Tested speakers on my laptop--they worked fine. Tried plugging the speakers back in--still nothing. Turned computer off again, unplugged speakers and plugged them in to the headphone jack on the front of the computer instead of the jack on the back. Still nothing.

[kjohnsn912]

I also deleted the sound drivers in Device Manager, plugged the speakers back in, and rebooted the computer to rebuild the drivers. Still nothing.

[thor21344]

From everything that you have said it sounds like your sound card might have went the way of the dodo bird. That does happen sometimes at the most inconvienent time. if you can, remove the card and plug it into another computer and try it there. that will tell you.

[kjohnsn912]

Unfortunately, that is the conclusion I have come to, also. Thanks so much for your help. When I get this little hiccup resolved, I will worry about the next--which is figuring out how to get my old 78s, 8-tracks, and cassettes converted to MP3s. I've already ripped all my CDs and have converted all my 45s and most of my LPs. In the interest of reducing the clutter in my house and increasing portability, I am trying to get rid of all this stuff.

Kathy

[waxcylinder]

for 78's you should find this tutorial useful: http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/re ... cords.html

And if you haven't already seen it this tutorial set may be useful: http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/tu ... to_cd.html

WC

[kjohnsn912]

Well, the computer is back from the hospital. The computer doctor never did figure out exactly what the problem was--everything indicates that the sound chipset is good and working fine, but even he couldn't get any sound through it. So he put in a PCI sound card. I now have sound through the external speakers. But now there is no sound through the line-in jack from the turntable.
Believe it or not, I still have an old stereo that plays 78s and 8-track tapes. I just have to figure out how to hook it up. But that's for the future. I'm thinking about having a professional do the most important of my 78s--the records made by my father's barbershop quartet, who were International Champions in 1941. Those are special, and worth the money.