Can't record an Line In w/ Audacity

[MCJazzer]

Using Audacity Vers. 1.2.6, Windows XP, have set Preferences in Audacity for Audio I/O to SigmaTel, which is the suppled sound card from Dell, I haven't added any other sound cards, etc. Have set the recording source to Line In in Audacity, but nothing records - not streaming online audio, not mp3 or Midi files played from the same computer, all of which I can record using Audacity on another computer that I use.

Interestingly, the other choice I see in the Preferences for Audio I/O is Microsoft Sound Mapper - I never see that choice on my other computer, only SigmaTel (yes, another Dell), or a mic, if I've plugged one in. Have also checked the audio settings in the computer's Control Panel, everything's set on SigmaTel...

Thanks

[larrymcg]

What do you have connected to the "Line In" connection on the SigmaTel?

None of the things you say you are trying to record would appear at the Line In input unless you routed the Line Out to the Line In.

Maybe the SigmaTel has a "Record what You Hear" option? If so, try that. You would find that option in the Windows Mixer recording properties.

--Larry

[01SteveK]

I have the same problem. Both Audacity and "Absolute Sound Recorder" stopped recording, it seems like just after a Microsoft Update (the second last one). I've used both programs to record for years without problems. Did you ever find the problem??

[larrymcg]

I rarely use Audacity but I just tried it and it worked fine. I am on WinXP SP2 with all current Windows updates applied.
I also use Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 and Cool Edit 2000 for recording audio. They are working fine too.
--Larry

[MCJazzer]

I don't have anything connected to the "Line In" connection on the Sigma Tel, I'm just trying to record streaming audio off the internet, or something playing in Windows Media Player. No option for "Record What You Hear" anywhere that I see, either on the Sigma Tel or Windows Mixer, don't even have anything called a "Windows Mixer" that I can find...when I try recording something, I can hear it very faintly on playback, so there's a signal routing problem somewhere...

[larrymcg]

Windows Mixer (also called Master Volume): That's the speaker icon in the system tray. If it isn't there go to the Sounds and Audio Deviced Control Panel. Under the Volume tab select the option to place the volume icon in the task bar and then click Apply. While in the control panel check the other settings on the Volume, Audio and Voice tabs.

Double click the speaker icon - this brings up the Playback controls. Make sure the volume controls are up high. There is a menu with "Options". Click it and select Properties. Make sure your soundcard shows as Mixer device.
Select the Recording radio button and check the list of volume controls. Make sure they are all selected (check boxes). Is one of them "What U Hear" or "Stereo Mix" That's the one you need for recording what you want to record.

Now click OK and the Record Controls panel should appear. Select What U Hear and move its volume control up high. Note that you can select only on of these controls at a time.

Let me know how that goes.

--Larry

[01SteveK]

Larry, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! That was it! I really appreciate your efforts for me! It wasn't called "Stereo Mix", on my system it was called "Wave Out Mix". It wasn't checked, and when I checked it the volume was set at the bottom. I raised the volume all the way up and it works now. I just wonder how it was set off? Perhaps some program I installed took it on itself to turn it off? I thought I tried everything, but it takes an expert to know what to look for. Again, THANKS!!! Steve

[larrymcg]

Glad I could help. The What U Hear (or Stereo Mix or Wave Out Mix or...) option is an interesting source of goodness and badness. Often what happens is that the option is ON and someone records a track and then they want to record another track. But since the first track is playing (because they want to monitor it), it gets recorded along with the signal for the new track. All of a sudden track 2 has both audio tracks included. So watch out for that.
Another thing I learned is that many sound cards, other than Sound Blaster, do not have the What U Hear option. That's why I have two soundcards on my system. I only use the Sound Blaster Live 24! when I need the What U Hear option. Otherwise I use the M-Audio card.
That might be more than you wanted to know....
--Larry

[MCJazzer]

Thanks, but it's still not working, didn't realize you meant the volume control when you said Windows Mixer. Did check the options in the Recording Controls, don't have any "Record What You Hear" or "Stereo Mix" (strangely enough, DO have the Stereo Mix option on my other computer), just these 3: Line In, Microphone, & Digital Mic (which sounds a little redundant).

Did I mention I don't have full administrative rights on this computer (belongs to my employer)? Not sure why that would make a difference tho, I haven't done anything different on the computer that's mine...maybe that fact makes this all a moot point....sorry!

[larrymcg]

MCJazzer,
I did a couple Googles and found lots of folks claiming that Dell (and other manufacturers) disable the stereo mix feature but some folks say you can download 3rd party drivers and get what you want.
Try these two Google searches:
sigmatel sound card
sigmatel sound card "stereo mix"
You might find a cure but you would need administrator rights to install a new driver.
--Larry