Recording with Audacity

[draftsman]

I use the program Audacity quite often. I used to be able to choose the device that I record from. The window that allows you to choose the device is now greyed out on my adacity program;therefore, I can no longer make that choice.

If anyone knows how I can resolve this please let me know. I can load an audio file, change it, and download to desktop as MP3 or other format. The program works fine except that I can't record from other devices or websites while playing from them like I used to.

I'm sure there's an Audacity expert out there somewhere.

 

[fireberd]

I have Audacity, but don't use it for recording, just for reference (I have a recording studio and use Sonar). If it's greyed out I would suspect that either there is no Recording devices, or default recording device set in the Control Panel/Sound Panel or that there is a problem with the Audacity program and reinstalling may fix it. Also, with Win 7, you should be using the "Beta" version of Audacity.

There is also an Audacity forum, for help with the program problems.
http://forum.audacityteam.org/index.php?sid=8da971fd49ab748e0a59d3c42edc231e

 

[Roderunner]

Hi draftsman, I have never needed the features in Audacity, so have never used it, but, I did want to use the record whats playing feature, so I used the portable version which worked perfectly without having to change any settings on my pc. The only change was to record in stereo.

 

[BOKEL1953]

Hi Draughtsman, you need Audacity1.3 Beta with windows 7. I record from vinyl etc. have no problems Hope it works for you.

 

[Cartoonman]

Recording pc sounds withAudacity

The OP never replied to say if the suggestions helped - but they did nothing for me on this Vista 32 OS. Even after adding an external USB sound card, Audacity only shows MME and WindowsDirctsound as recording devices and BOTH only produce static when trying to record Winamp or streaming browser audio.

Any other Vista or Win7 users with the same problem?

 

[rubyrubyroo]

Does this happen just in Audacity?

IOW do all the audio devices work in windows in general ....say record the same device using sound recorder, or whatever. Same with the output devices, do they have any problems?

 

[Cartoonman]

Vista - no Stereo Mix

Sound Recorder will record my voice if mic is hooked up. Control Panel / Sound / Recording shows only microphones and CD audio. Disabling them all reveals no such thing as a "Stereo Mix" (for recording pc sound) like my XP has.

I seem to recall solving this in the past by plugging in a USB sound card - so I bought a new one but still no stereo mix. Suppose I could plug in a 1/8" jumper (mic jack to earphone jack) and record analog if nothing else works.

 

[rubyrubyroo]

have you tried right clicking on windows volume mixer icon in the tray, and selecting Recording devices then right click in the white space in the new "sound" window and checking off show disabled devices...(if no help check off show disconnected devices. Stereo mix appear?


Mike

 

[Cartoonman]

Yes tried that and same result: "No audio devices installed" - with or without the USB virtual sound card.

 

[rubyrubyroo]

Ok, Have you tried looking into the audio drivers? were they downloaded from windows update or d/l from the manufacturer's site and up to date for your particular OS (Vista 32-bit for you Cartoonman)... sometimes if the newest driver acts "quirky" with your system it's best to try an older one, possibly roll back to the previous one before you try d/l-ing from vender's site. try deleting the problematic audio drivers and rebooting, to allow windows update to install a new one or at least offer one w/optional updates.

Do you remember when it first started happening? a particular period of time or day? check the event logs and installed updates to find a problem install failure of an audio or other conflicting driver....

You can try to do a system restore point to a time before this point, although you'll have to monitor it if this works because the conflicting driver may be reinstalled soon enough, once again.

if you have already or soon do rule out the drivers as a source, then this problem usually leads to a repair or clean install in my experience.

Try to run the system file scanner and see if some system corruption has occurred. SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker .<---windows 7 version for OP, same command will work in vista though



IF you do figure anything out, I'd appreciate as detailed of a reply as possible, as many people online and my customers have a similar problem in windows 7 mostly (but vista too) Thanks!

Mike

 

[rubyrubyroo]

This may be worth a read/try, also: No sound in Windows 7 Pro 64 bit - Audio Service not started - Audio - Microsoft Answers

Mike