Cannot record sound from into Windows....

[tryingtorecord]

Hi all,

Hope someone can help me here with this problem that I've had since upgrading to Windows 7.

I use a WAMI Rack 192L audio interface which connects to a break-out box via a PCI card. Now, I've installed the latest drivers for Win 7 from the ESI site. I can play sounds no problem but when I try to record (I'm trying to record via my mixing desk, my mic is plugged into the pre-amp on the desk and that is being sent into input 1 on the WAMI box). Windows apps don't seem to be receiving any sounds. However, the sound card is receiving the sound. If I open the ESI mixer from the systray, you can see that the sound it getting through to it (via the level indicator).

If however, I open Sound from the Windows control panel, and click the recording tab, I select 'line in' and the little level indicator does nothing. I've tried using the Mic option - nothing (I've even tried putting the mic directly into one of the XLR pre-amp connectors on the WAMI box itself. Same thing, the ESI control panel gets the sound, but it doesn't seem to get to the OS itself (if you get what I mean!)

I've confirmed by using Sonar X1 and Windows Sound recorder. Both record 'empty' - and the waveform display is completely flat.

I've tried un-instaling and re-installing the drivers but it's the same thing. This used to work OK on XP, although the drivers were kind of different there (you used to get a separate device in the device manager for each of the Wami's inputs/outputs. Now it's just the one.

Any ideas? Would really appreciate some help, I've spent alot of money upgrading my PC and I can't use it!!

Thanks guys / gals

 

[fireberd]

This is a new interface for me, never heard of this. I have a home recording studio using Sonar X1D Extended PE and Pro Tools MP9. I have a couple of audio interface units, a Roland Octa-Capture and an MAudio Fastrack Ultra 8R. They have to be configured in Sonar or Pro Tools to be used (whichever one is being used). Both have ASIO drivers and they are also detected by Windows 7 and when whichever one is powered on (and connected) they are detected by Windows and also set as the default recording and playback devices.

The first thing, are the drivers you are using for Vista/Win 7? XP drivers in most cases are not compatible.

In Sonar X1, the device must be detected by Sonar and then configured in Edit/Preferences.

Check the Device Manager and see if the device is being detected and shown as working OK or if it has an error code.

 

[tryingtorecord]

Hi fireberd

Thanks for the reply, the drivers are the Windows 7 ones from the manufacturers website. The card is selected in Sonar and I can play sounds without any problems to the interfaces audio out. In control panel in Windows, under recording, I have the Wami-rack selected (it has a little level indicator next to it). If I talk into the mic, this level indicator doesn't move. The sound card has it's own software panel has it's own level indicator and this is picking up the sound, but the level indicator in the actual windows control panel doesn't move at all. It's completely bizarre. As the Windows level indicator isn't picking up the sound, I don't think it's a problem with Sonar. The Windows sound recorded also doesn't work. I'm not sure what else to try.

I've spoken to ESI and they also said it was strange and can't understand what is happening.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks again!

 

[fireberd]

I would disregard, for the time being, what Windows is showing in the Sound panel. Before the Octa-Capture, I was using a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 and it did not show in the Sound Panel, although it worked OK in Sonar.

Make sure all the Sonar sound device settings in Preferences is set correctly. I had a problem one time with Sonar because I also had a SoundBlaster sound card installed in the PC, which had ASIO drivers, and Sonar was picking up the SoundBlaster for part of the setup and it was causing a conflict problem with the Saffire Pro 40. I would have to manually reset all the Sound parameters in the Sonar setup for the Saffire Pro 40 before I could record. I finally got fed up with the conflicts and removed the SoundBlaster sound card and used a different sound card that did not have ASIO drivers and that took care of the problem.

Someone on the Sonar forum may be able to help you. There may be someone there familiar with that hardware. There are hardware forum sections and a section specifically for X1 issues. SONAR X1 Producer, Studio & Essential

 

[tryingtorecord]

Thanks fireberd

Interestringly if I go into Control Panel on my Win 7 32-bit laptop, the built-in mic works fine (ie, when you speak the level indicator under the 'recording' tab in devices moves) - just won't work on my deskstop with the WAMI. very frustrating

Cheers

 

[fireberd]

I still get the feeling you are mixing up the Windows sound functions with Sonar. If you have another PC sound device (such as integrated audio on the motherboard) disable that as it could be conflicting. Otherwise, either the WAMI vendor should be the one to contact.

 

[tryingtorecord]

Fireberd

You were absolutly spot-on. I had disabled the on-board sound device in Device Manager but it still didn't work - however it was still enabled in the BIOS so I just tried disabling it in there and it worked right away!!

Thanks very much, I can finally use my PC!! Cheers!!!!

 

[fireberd]

Great! Glad you got it worked out, and that I was able to point you in the right direction.