Stereo Mix not functioning properly in Win7

[vStone1K]

OK, so I've got a Conexant sound card, a CX20671, and since Microsoft removed the StereoMix from W7, I used a tweak which would let me use it again. The thing is, it works fine, but it's awfully quiet (It's almost inaudible). How can I fix this? Thanks for the help!

 

[ignatzatsonic]

As far as I know, whether stereo mix is available or not depends on your particular sound card. I don't think it has been removed by Microsoft in Windows 7.

But many sound cards don't provide the capability. Sound in Win 7 is generally more of a pain than in earlier operating systems.

I know nothing about Conexant or the tweak you mentioned.

Have you gone through the standard routine of uninstalling and reinstalling drivers---to include Vista drivers, compatibility mode, etc?

I don't know how well you had the Conexant running at one time, but ultimately you may have to go to another brand or possibly an external USB card.

 

[vStone1K]

Well, this is the tweak:How get Stereo Mix on Conexant sound card SOLUTION - Toshiba Forums
And Conexant's website:Conexant Systems, Inc.
Could you possibly suggest some drivers, maybe? I'm not sure where to start.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

If you want to stay with Conexant, it looks like you are limited to hacks of whatever type you might find on the net, just as with the tweak you tried. I have no idea if there are others out there.

You can always try Vista-era drivers as they are known to work on Win 7 for some sound cards, possibly in compatibility mode.

Depending on your level of frustration with the status quo, you might find it preferable to bail out on Conexant and try another entirely different card--which might be an external if your PC is a laptop.

 

[vStone1K]

@ignatzatsonic Unfortunately, my computer is a laptop, but I don't really want to buy a usb sound card right now... Anyway, I'll try to look for Vista drivers for my cx20671. It might work, because the tweak I showed you did work, It's just when I record it's like the volume isn't loud enough or something.
I'll give you a sample soon.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

What app do you use for recording purposes?

 

[vStone1K]

I found this program called total recorder, but it's still not what I would like. I've got audio editing software, which it lets me use StereoMix, but it's still not loud enough. I heard it depends on what volume your playback is on, but because I use headphones most of the time, I'm not going to put the speaker icon up to 100%!

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I'd recommend you at least look at Audacity---a free and widely used recorder/editor.

But it would require a working "stereo mix" setup if you are trying to record what you hear on the net.

I used Total Recorder a long time ago for speech recording and can't recall much about it.

 

[vStone1K]

I'd recommend you at least look at Audacity---a free and widely used recorder/editor.

But it would require a working "stereo mix" setup if you are trying to record what you hear on the net.

I used Total Recorder a long time ago for speech recording and can't recall much about it.

While I was trying Total Recorder, I thought I'd try Audacity, like you said here. I tried it, and it's exactly the same - it's too quiet... I honestly don't know why it is doing tgis. but apparently a lot of people are having this problem, once they switch over to Windows 7.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Have you looked at:

Control panel/sound/recording tab/ ??

Highlight stereo mix there and choose properties and then levels.

Do you then see a "stereo mix" slider?

 

[vStone1K]

@ignatzatsonic Yes, there is 'Stereo Mix' and the levels are at 100%. Everything looks fine to me.
View attachment 195974

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Have you experimented with the settings in the other tabs of stereo mix?

I can recall a poster or two being surprised by those settings.

My "listen to this device" on the listen tab is unchecked, but I'd try it checked.

Have you noticed any differences depending on which of your various jacks have something connected to them or not?

A lot of it is trial and error. The problem is---it may be insoluble without you knowing it. In which case you have to go with antique drivers or another card altogether.

And the fact that you have to use a hack is problematic---who knows how the hack will affect other capabilities or interaction with Windows?

That's about all I can tell you. I was highly frustrated myself but eventually got it running.

I did buy a Behringer UFO-202 USB external card which provides stereo mix, but my current motherboard internal sound chip (Realtek) provides stereo mix also.

 

[vStone1K]

The advanced tab just lets me change the audio quality, right now it's on 'cd quality'. I don't think that would do anything changing the quality.
and the 'listen' feature, let me see... I turned it on and it sounds the same.
Here's what's happening:
I've got a song playing which I can hear through my speakers, the playback meter is showing fine.
View attachment 195977
But StereoMix, I'm not sure...
View attachment 195978
I should also tell you I don't have anything plugged into the headphone or mic jacks. I've got a laptop, so they're on the side.

 

[vStone1K]

Also something else. We have another laptop that is five years old which has a Realtek sound card - and Stereo Mix. It could be Conexant doesn't officially support Stereo Mix, maybe.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

It could be Conexant doesn't officially support Stereo Mix, maybe.

I assumed that was a foregone conclusion. If Conexant officially supported Stereo Mix, why would you have to rely on a hack to even get near it?

Why would the hack on that Toshiba forum be necessary if Conexant officially supported stereo mix?

Without the hack---is stereo mix shown in recording control panel if you have enabled "show disabled devices" and "show disconnected devices" with a right click?? If not, you need a hack, another driver, or another card.

 

[vStone1K]

It could be Conexant doesn't officially support Stereo Mix, maybe.

I assumed that was a foregone conclusion. If Conexant officially supported Stereo Mix, why would you have to rely on a hack to even get near it?

Why would the hack on that Toshiba forum be necessary if Conexant officially supported stereo mix?

Without the hack---is stereo mix shown in recording control panel if you have enabled "show disabled devices" and "show disconnected devices" with a right click?? If not, you need a hack, another driver, or another card.

Wait a minute - When I said Conexant might not support it - forget that I said that. The thing is, Stereo Mix works, it's the volume that's the issue. If my sound card wasn't built for it, it would not output anything. I'll upload a sample.
http://www.mytoshiba.com.au/support/computers/satellite/l650d/psk1sa-061014/download?os=25
My drivers page as well, if you want a look.

 

[vStone1K]

Here's the sample:View attachment 195984 My normal volume (the speaker icon) is on 11.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

The sample won't tell me anything.

Is that hack intended to get volume as loud as you would like it?

Or is that hack intended to get Stereo Mix to sorta "work"?

If you need that Toshiba hack for any reason, I'd question whether Conexant (fully) supports stereo mix on Windows 7.

But, I will grant you--you may have to rely on voodoo, hoodoo, snake-handling, incantations, and child-sacrifice to get Windows 7 sound the way you want it.

 

[vStone1K]

@ignatzatsonic Have you listened to the sample? I gave you the link to the page the hack was on. It's a hack to enable Stereo Mix on Conexant cards, on TOSHIBA laptops. In the comments on the page people said it worked for them - which it has for me, it's just this sound issue. I'm not sure whether they are having it or not. That should clarify things a little bit.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Yes. I listened to the sound sample.

It lasts 9 seconds and plays at decent volume here.

I'll leave up to you to decide to what extent stereo mix is "supported" on your particular Toshiba. I don't want to get off on a semantics discussion.