unable to record sounds my PC plays

[dnldnl]

I am trying to record the audio my PC is playing using audacity (or adobe audition), but it does not work. I have enabled stereo mix. I then setup audacity to record stereo mix, but it does not detect any sound.

I am able to capture my system sound when I record video with FRAPS while having "Record Win7 sound" box checked. So, I know there is no physical problem with my hardware.

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you.

 

[fireberd]

You have "enabled" Stereo Mix. But, have you made Stereo Mix the "default" Recording Device? It has to be set as the default recording device.

 

[dnldnl]

Yes, I have it set as a default device, but unfortunately that does not change anything.

 

[Roderunner]

Hi dnldnl,
After recording, click file > export in Audacity the take your pick of the available formats. If you want it to be MP3, you need to install Lame for Audacity.

 

[mitchell65]

Hi dnldnl,
After recording, click file > export in Audacity the take your pick of the available formats. If you want it to be MP3, you need to install Lame for Audacity.

But the OP's problem is he can't record.
dnldnl
Have you got a line in socket on your machine?

 

[Roderunner]

I am trying to record the audio my PC is playing using audacity (or adobe audition), but it does not work. I have enabled stereo mix. I then setup audacity to record stereo mix, but it does not detect any sound.

I am able to capture my system sound when I record video with FRAPS while having "Record Win7 sound" box checked. So, I know there is no physical problem with my hardware.

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Can you post an image of Audacity when music is playing & the record button has been clicked.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

 

[dnldnl]

But the OP's problem is he can't record.
dnldnl
Have you got a line in socket on your machine?

Yes, I have 6 female audio jacks on my motherboard: blue, green, pink, orange, black, and silver. Looks like the blue one is the line in.

Can you post an image of Audacity when music is playing & the record button has been clicked.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

Sure. Here are are some screenshots. I pressed the record button while playing an audio file, but Audacity does not detect any sound activity:

 

[Roderunner]

Right click computer, select Manage and open Device Manager. Open as in red box in my image, right click each entry except Realtek HDA and disable it. Now look in Sound settings to see how it looks compared to your images above.


Click image to enlarge it.

 

[mitchell65]

dnldnl
Have you got a line in socket on your machine?

Yes, I have 6 female audio jacks on my motherboard: blue, green, pink, orange, black, and silver. Looks like the blue one is the line in.

I couldn't get a link to work here but this is the Audacity troubleshooting section
You need to do this:
Why can I not record in Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8?

On new Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 systems, you may receive "error opening sound device" when you try to record, and/or have no audio input devices (or only "microphone") in Device Toolbar.
To investigate this, exit Audacity then right-click over the Speaker icon by the system clock and choose Recording Devices. This opens the Recording tab of "Sound" in the Windows Control Panel. Show then enable all the disconnected and disabled input devices. For detailed instructions, see Using the Control Panel on the Audacity Wiki.
Many new Windows laptop, notebook or netbook computers only have a single audio input port. This will often be a mono port only meant for microphones. On some machines this single port may also be able to accept stereo line level input which is essential to record from standalone cassette decks or HiFi systems. See "How to connect your equipment" before connecting high output devices to a sole input.

 

[mitchell65]

Show then enable all the disconnected and disabled input devices.

Further to the above post. You need to plug in a mini jack to the line in socket. This will then show in the "Sound" window as in your last screenshot. It should show athat it is enable whn you right click it but if not set it to enabled. You can then Open Audacity and choose Line In on the tool bar!
The other end of the cable needs to go into the soeakers socket. If you want to hear through the speakers whilst recording the you will need a mini jack splitter!

 

[taylorig]

I've been using i-Sound Recorder for a few months now and it records literally anything that i can hear on my PC.

Well impressed with it i-Sound Recorder for Windows 7 and Windows Vista

 

[mitchell65]

I've been using i-Sound Recorder for a few months now and it records literally anything that i can hear on my PC.

Well impressed with it i-Sound Recorder for Windows 7 and Windows Vista

Yes but it's not cheap whereas Audacity will do everything it does for free!