Sorry this probably isn't the place to ask this but I know that there are people here who use the program and I've had no luck looking through the Help topics on the program itself.
I recently bought a good microphone for my computer and when I plugged it in, Audacity gave me no choice of what I could use to record with. This meant I was unable to record what was being played through my speakers without unplugging the microphone. I didn't really think of this as a problem as I was happy just unplugging when necessary. However, I bought a new laptop a couple of days ago and today i went to record via the speakers so I could slow a tune down. Again I had no choice but to use the microphone so I unplugged it expecting it to be fine. It turns out though that because the laptop has a built in microphone I HAVE to use that. The actual menu to choose from is disabled. Does anyone know how to sort this? Or could there be a way to disable the mic on the laptop? (I had a quick look with no luck).
Thanks in advance for any help, and again I am sorry for having to post this here.
I have experienced this problem too (the disabled drop boxes). Audacity worked fine with my old computer but now I have a new computer with Vista it does not operate in the same way. Altogether inconvenient!
I have not used it in ages (partly because of this) so can't offer a fix. There are a number of tutorials for Audacity on Youtube though so you might get some help there. If you go into your computer's control panel you should be able to disable the internal mic.
Thanks for the info. My old pc was actually XP and although there was a problem it was no where near as bad. I just diasbled the internal mic and it made no difference. When I plugged the good microphone into the laptop it didnt find the hardware, although it seems to work fine on Microsoft's Sound Recorder. I'm more concerned about the fact that I cannot record through the speakers anymore as I'm sure I'll find another program to record via the microphone. I will have a look on youtube just now however.
If you can't just open the file in Audacity (it's a wma file, right?), this might work:
1. Use a stereo mini cable to connect the headphone jack to the microphone jack.
2. Play the file in Media Player, and record it in Audacity while it is playing.
I have done this with my laptop. Seems strange, but it worked. You might not be able to hear the tune during the process, but you can see the waveforms in Audacity to make sure the levels are OK (so it doesn't distort).
My microphone connects via a USB cable. And I think you may have misunderstood as I am unable to record anything via the stereo mix as it is called on Audacity.
I have found that if I go to Edit then Preferences then Devices, by selecting one thing I am able to record via stereo mix, then able to record via the microphone on the other. This is however not as convenient as the usual drop down menu and involves disabling the internal mic in the process.
It appears to be a common problem with Vista so I assume it will have to be one I get used to!
creathana--I guess what I really don't understand is why you want to use a microphone to record what's coming out of the speakers. You would get a better quality recording if you connected the source to the recorder via cable.
If you unplug your USB mic, and plug the headphone output into the regular stereo microphone jack (assuming your laptop has one), your laptop will assume you are using an external non-USB mic. At least, mine does, and it's running Vista.
Also, just fyi, it's good to mention up front the operating system and the version numbers of the software involved, when you ask a technical question.
I had the disabled drop box issue some time ago, and had to remove and reinstall Audacity to make it reappear. This happened several times and then the problem went away - I don't know why.
When the subject of recording with Audacity comes up on forums somebody usually mentions the "record what you hear" menu item, which I don't have in my installation. Online research came up with some of the menu items being disabled depending on your computers sound card. Maybe something there is relevant to your microphone?
Forgive a mild hijack, but since we're talking audacity: Forrest, you audacity guru, I've been meaning to ask: can one overdub in audacity, while listening to the tracks already recorded? I know one can add tracks, but I'm curious about being able to listen to the existing stuff while recording.
How about you convert your files to mp3? Audacity works very well if you get the lame dll exe bit, thing. Do you use an Edirol or similar recording device?
1. In Edit/Preferences/Audio I/O, select (check) the Overdub box.
2. Click the Record button, record track 1, click Stop.
3. Click the Record button again; it automatically starts a second track for recording, and plays back track 1. Play along with track 1.
In earlier versions, I remember having trouble with hearing track 1 but not "collapsing" it into track 2 (i.e., track 2 was a combination of both, couldn't get a discrete track 2 for mixing) but I just tested the above, and it worked. You do have to use headphones, of course, so the mic doesn't pick up sound from the speakers.
ElanorFiddles: That's what I was getting at. If the original sound file is wav or mp3, you don't have to record it, you can just drag and drop the file into Audacity and play it there.
The workaround I described (connecting the headphone jack to the mic jack) is only necessary for files that Audacity won't play as is (e.g. wma or wmv files).
Forrest:I use my Edirol for the rare you tube rip. I've used my edirol R09 in so many situations now that I can't imagine life without it. I'm afraid of plug-swapping. Sounds like you are more electronic aware.
Elanor, you sound plenty electronic-savvy to me--digital recorder, ripping audio from YouTube, opening the files in Audacity... pretty much "state of the art," I think.
Forrest Tucker - I don't use a microphone to record what's coming out of the speakers. I like to use the microphone to record my playing and that way it gives me a chance to analyse it and see what parts of the tune I'm playing are messy, so to speak.
ElanorFiddles - Most of my files are m4a (don't know if that changes what you are saying) but if i have an mp3 of a file it's easy to slow down, I understand that. But what if it's something that's on someones myspace (or a similar site)? I have no way of transferring that to audacity so I used to record via the speakers to slow it down.
shanty - Mine used to say "Stereo Mix" not "Record what You hear".
grego - Thanks for the tip. I guess anything is worth a try!
bigyabby - I did search search google and find a guide that came up with the solution I posted a while back. They said within that guide that they had spent hours searching Wiki with no avail!
I see, well I am not sure what that is. Is it a proprietary format like Itunes? I just burn a cd right away, when I get a CD from Itunes, then I keep my computer set to rip every cd I put in it.... bad girl... into MP3 format. Long story short, I do what ever it takes to convert the file digitally to mp3, you can find conversion scripts in shareware world, or make a CD which is great for the car too, either way, I try to avoid the speaker thing, but when I do go for that I use the Edirol. Now, that isn't good for copyrights, etc, I do believe in the artist(s) receiving their due, and don't share my MP3's except with someone who I want to learn my new bizarre tune of the week or month. But I try to keep sharing down.
I'll have to have a look at this Edirol program, it might come in handy. I used to have mp3 files all the time and absolutely hated itunes but Media Player started taking 10 mins to load on my old pc so unfortunately I had no choice but to change to Itunes. I can however go back to Media Player now on my laptop, so I guess that is that problem solved! Thanks for your help!
Recording with Audacity
Recording with Audacity
Sorry this probably isn't the place to ask this but I know that there are people here who use the program and I've had no luck looking through the Help topics on the program itself.
I recently bought a good microphone for my computer and when I plugged it in, Audacity gave me no choice of what I could use to record with. This meant I was unable to record what was being played through my speakers without unplugging the microphone. I didn't really think of this as a problem as I was happy just unplugging when necessary. However, I bought a new laptop a couple of days ago and today i went to record via the speakers so I could slow a tune down. Again I had no choice but to use the microphone so I unplugged it expecting it to be fine. It turns out though that because the laptop has a built in microphone I HAVE to use that. The actual menu to choose from is disabled. Does anyone know how to sort this? Or could there be a way to disable the mic on the laptop? (I had a quick look with no luck).
Thanks in advance for any help, and again I am sorry for having to post this here.
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by creathana
Re: Recording with Audacity
I have experienced this problem too (the disabled drop boxes). Audacity worked fine with my old computer but now I have a new computer with Vista it does not operate in the same way. Altogether inconvenient!
I have not used it in ages (partly because of this) so can't offer a fix. There are a number of tutorials for Audacity on Youtube though so you might get some help there. If you go into your computer's control panel you should be able to disable the internal mic.
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Recording with Audacity
Thanks for the info. My old pc was actually XP and although there was a problem it was no where near as bad. I just diasbled the internal mic and it made no difference. When I plugged the good microphone into the laptop it didnt find the hardware, although it seems to work fine on Microsoft's Sound Recorder. I'm more concerned about the fact that I cannot record through the speakers anymore as I'm sure I'll find another program to record via the microphone. I will have a look on youtube just now however.
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by creathana
Re: Recording with Audacity
If you can't just open the file in Audacity (it's a wma file, right?), this might work:
1. Use a stereo mini cable to connect the headphone jack to the microphone jack.
2. Play the file in Media Player, and record it in Audacity while it is playing.
I have done this with my laptop. Seems strange, but it worked. You might not be able to hear the tune during the process, but you can see the waveforms in Audacity to make sure the levels are OK (so it doesn't distort).
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by tuckered out
Re: Recording with Audacity
My microphone connects via a USB cable. And I think you may have misunderstood as I am unable to record anything via the stereo mix as it is called on Audacity.
I have found that if I go to Edit then Preferences then Devices, by selecting one thing I am able to record via stereo mix, then able to record via the microphone on the other. This is however not as convenient as the usual drop down menu and involves disabling the internal mic in the process.
It appears to be a common problem with Vista so I assume it will have to be one I get used to!
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by creathana
Re: Recording with Audacity
creathana--I guess what I really don't understand is why you want to use a microphone to record what's coming out of the speakers. You would get a better quality recording if you connected the source to the recorder via cable.
If you unplug your USB mic, and plug the headphone output into the regular stereo microphone jack (assuming your laptop has one), your laptop will assume you are using an external non-USB mic. At least, mine does, and it's running Vista.
Also, just fyi, it's good to mention up front the operating system and the version numbers of the software involved, when you ask a technical question.
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by tuckered out
Re: Recording with Audacity
Any search for Audacity help files will reveal many pages on the net. The WiKI is great.
Recording from the headphone jack you will need to adjust the record levels manually. Headphone jack is very sensitive so watch the levels.
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by bigyabby
Re: Recording with Audacity
I had the disabled drop box issue some time ago, and had to remove and reinstall Audacity to make it reappear. This happened several times and then the problem went away - I don't know why.
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by grego
Re: Recording with Audacity
I'm having exactly the same problem, fine on xp but with vista i can longer record through the sound card, only the built in mic.
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by westwind
Re: Recording with Audacity
When the subject of recording with Audacity comes up on forums somebody usually mentions the "record what you hear" menu item, which I don't have in my installation. Online research came up with some of the menu items being disabled depending on your computers sound card. Maybe something there is relevant to your microphone?
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by All Moldy
Re: Recording with Audacity
I also lost the "Record What U Hear" option when I got a laptop with Vista on it. Don't know whether it's due to sound card or software issues.
p.s. I wouldn't recommend cross-connecting the output and input jacks of most types of sound gear--instant feedback loop!
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by tuckered out
Re: Recording with Audacity
Are you folks talking about the 'wave out' option or does the menu actually say/said 'record what U hear'?
# Posted on August 18th 2009 by shanty
Re: Recording with Audacity
My old Audacity menu actually read, "Record What U Hear"--if memory serves. But that computer went to a recycler, so I can't confirm it.
# Posted on August 18th 2009 by tuckered out
Re: Recording with Audacity
Mine says 'wave out mix' and that option allows me to record anything playing on the computer, regardless of speakers or mic.
# Posted on August 18th 2009 by shanty
Re: Recording with Audacity
Forgive a mild hijack, but since we're talking audacity: Forrest, you audacity guru, I've been meaning to ask: can one overdub in audacity, while listening to the tracks already recorded? I know one can add tracks, but I'm curious about being able to listen to the existing stuff while recording.
# Posted on August 18th 2009 by ayedbl
Re: Recording with Audacity
How about you convert your files to mp3? Audacity works very well if you get the lame dll exe bit, thing. Do you use an Edirol or similar recording device?
# Posted on August 18th 2009 by SandyBottoms
Re: Recording with Audacity
ayedbl: In Audacity 1.3 Beta, this worked for me:
1. In Edit/Preferences/Audio I/O, select (check) the Overdub box.
2. Click the Record button, record track 1, click Stop.
3. Click the Record button again; it automatically starts a second track for recording, and plays back track 1. Play along with track 1.
In earlier versions, I remember having trouble with hearing track 1 but not "collapsing" it into track 2 (i.e., track 2 was a combination of both, couldn't get a discrete track 2 for mixing) but I just tested the above, and it worked. You do have to use headphones, of course, so the mic doesn't pick up sound from the speakers.
# Posted on August 18th 2009 by tuckered out
Re: Recording with Audacity
ElanorFiddles: That's what I was getting at. If the original sound file is wav or mp3, you don't have to record it, you can just drag and drop the file into Audacity and play it there.
The workaround I described (connecting the headphone jack to the mic jack) is only necessary for files that Audacity won't play as is (e.g. wma or wmv files).
# Posted on August 18th 2009 by tuckered out
Re: Recording with Audacity
Forrest:I use my Edirol for the rare you tube rip. I've used my edirol R09 in so many situations now that I can't imagine life without it. I'm afraid of plug-swapping. Sounds like you are more electronic aware.
# Posted on August 18th 2009 by SandyBottoms
Re: Recording with Audacity
Elanor, you sound plenty electronic-savvy to me--digital recorder, ripping audio from YouTube, opening the files in Audacity... pretty much "state of the art," I think.
# Posted on August 18th 2009 by tuckered out
Re: Recording with Audacity
Forrest Tucker - I don't use a microphone to record what's coming out of the speakers. I like to use the microphone to record my playing and that way it gives me a chance to analyse it and see what parts of the tune I'm playing are messy, so to speak.
ElanorFiddles - Most of my files are m4a (don't know if that changes what you are saying) but if i have an mp3 of a file it's easy to slow down, I understand that. But what if it's something that's on someones myspace (or a similar site)? I have no way of transferring that to audacity so I used to record via the speakers to slow it down.
shanty - Mine used to say "Stereo Mix" not "Record what You hear".
grego - Thanks for the tip. I guess anything is worth a try!
# Posted on August 18th 2009 by creathana
Re: Recording with Audacity
bigyabby - I did search search google and find a guide that came up with the solution I posted a while back. They said within that guide that they had spent hours searching Wiki with no avail!
# Posted on August 18th 2009 by creathana
Re: Recording with Audacity
I see, well I am not sure what that is. Is it a proprietary format like Itunes? I just burn a cd right away, when I get a CD from Itunes, then I keep my computer set to rip every cd I put in it.... bad girl... into MP3 format. Long story short, I do what ever it takes to convert the file digitally to mp3, you can find conversion scripts in shareware world, or make a CD which is great for the car too, either way, I try to avoid the speaker thing, but when I do go for that I use the Edirol. Now, that isn't good for copyrights, etc, I do believe in the artist(s) receiving their due, and don't share my MP3's except with someone who I want to learn my new bizarre tune of the week or month. But I try to keep sharing down.
# Posted on August 19th 2009 by SandyBottoms
Re: Recording with Audacity
I'll have to have a look at this Edirol program, it might come in handy. I used to have mp3 files all the time and absolutely hated itunes but Media Player started taking 10 mins to load on my old pc so unfortunately I had no choice but to change to Itunes. I can however go back to Media Player now on my laptop, so I guess that is that problem solved! Thanks for your help!
# Posted on August 19th 2009 by creathana
Re: Recording with Audacity
Get yourself a iMic audio adapter
see http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic
Audacity will recognise this device
I use this device via my mixing desk to record sessions at my place and it works fine.
# Posted on September 9th 2009 by White Horse