Windows 7 - Sound Recorder: I can't hear the sound

Several months ago I used Sound Recorder to record some songs using a USB microphone. I wrote in a file name and then played the songs back on Windows Media Player. When I recorded some songs this morning I went through the same steps but even though I saw the file in the WMP window, I could hear no sound when I clicked Play. I noticed the file was huge compared to other sound files. What did I do wrong? Of course I read through the instructions on the Help menu.

The only thing different between now and then is that I downloaded a trial WAVE editing program. I deleted this a few minutes ago but still can't hear any sound on the stuff I recorded this morning. I can still hear the older songs, though, when I click Play.

Another question: What is a good sound editing software program for someone who wants to do just basic editing tasks?

Fooling around with this problem this morning without any success has made me feel like an idiot and has drained my energy.

Hello Tommy,

You may need to do this below first if you have not already to be able to record what you hear.

"What U Hear" Recording - Enable

Just to double check.
Sound Recorder - Open and Use

I'm afraid that I do not know of any good sound editing software though. Hopefully someone will come along soon to answer that one.

Hope this helps some,
Shawn

Try the free "Audacity" recording program. It allows single and multi-track recording and also has some audio editing capabilities. Much more than the basic Sound Recorder.

Also, don't forget to save the file when you do record anything.

Audacity: Free Audio Editor and Recorder

I figured out why I could not hear the audio after I recorded some guitar and voice. I couldn't hear anything because the volume level for the microphone was at zero. I right-clicked the volume level icon on the taskbar and then clicked on Recording Devices. I double-clicked on the microphone I was using. When I clicked the Levels tab it was at zero. I raised it to 90 and then clicked OK.

How do I find out what kind of sound card I have? I see Realtek. Is that the name of a sound card?

Thanks for the suggestion about Audacity.

Another question: Is it necessary to remove the microphone plug from the USB socket in order to hear the recorded sound in the Windows Media Player? If I don't do this there is no sound when I click on a file.

That's good news Tommy.

Yes, Realtek would be your audio device. It's a integrated sound chip on your motherboard.

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You shouldn't have to unplug the microphone to hear a recorded file. You might double check your settings to see if something may be off.

I have downloaded the Audacity software and am reading through the tutorials. To use this software would it be best to get a desktop mic that plugs into the mic port on the front of my computer? Or is it OK to use my CAD U37 USB microphone? All I want to do is record vocals with an electric guitar then edit the material.

"Computer" mics are not very good for vocals as they have a limited frequency bandwidth. It will work but the results will not be very good. There are a lot of "PA Quality" USB mics available now from Shure, Samson and many other music equipment manufacturers. To get a good quality vocal will require one of these type mics.

HERE is an inexpensive USB mic from Musicians Friend

(I have a computer based recording studio using Sonar software)