Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity

Subject: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 22 May 12 - 01:39 PM

Hi,

I'm trying to use Audacity to record web based audio. I manage to get a recording, but it's very low quality and tinny, nothing approaching the original.

I have the Project Rate set to 44100 Hz. Any ideas?

I'm using Windows 7 and Audacity 1.3.13

Thanks,

Ed

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: treewind
Date: 22 May 12 - 02:19 PM

Sorry, but what do you mean by "recording web based audio"?
Recording sound from the web? How are you doing that?
Or recording stuff with a microphone for uploading to the web? - in which case, with what hardware?

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 22 May 12 - 02:51 PM

Sorry, I should have made myself clearer.

I'm trying to record sound from the web; youtube, iplayer etc.

All I'm doing, is opening the source, opening Audacity and clicking the Record button.

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: GUEST,Stim
Date: 22 May 12 - 03:03 PM

That's not the program to use. You want a "streaming audio recorder" or"audio capture software". I use Mac, and I've got something called Rogue Amoeba Audio Hijack Pro which simply captures the output from which ever application you want.

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 May 12 - 04:00 PM

Audacity recorded direct from the sound card for me with Windows Vista, but it didn't work on my new computer with Windows 7. I've tried all sorts of remedies, and never found a solution. Like Ed, I need help.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: Arkie
Date: 22 May 12 - 04:12 PM

I have used MP3 Rocket for MP3 downloads from Youtube a few times. The quality may be less than a good CD but at least it will allows one to listen at their convenience. Copy the youtube url into the appropriate space on MP3 Rocket and the software does the rest. Usually quicker than it takes to play the track in real time. There seems to be quite a few other options as well. Have no idea which provides the highest quality.

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: terrier
Date: 22 May 12 - 05:15 PM

It seems from reading relavent data on the web that Microsoft have stopped supplying the driver required to record with Audacity. Right click on the speaker on the task bar and choose recording devices. Right click in recording devices and check 'show disabled devices'. If it doesn't show 'stereo mix' as a choice, Audacity won't record streaming audio. It seems if you use an audio driver from previous windows version, it will have the stereo mix option to use. I'm sure this info has been posted before on Mudcat, I'm sure someone will put me right if I'm talking a load of..
I'm running two win7 PCs, one has stereo mix available and Audacity works fine, the other doesn't have stereo mix available and Audacity doesn't record streaming audio.
So, can anyone explain to me how to change the audio driver in Win7, everytime I try, It says it is already up to date and I can't get any further?

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: terrier
Date: 22 May 12 - 05:18 PM

I meant to put this link in.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/faq_i18n?s=recording&i=streaming

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 23 May 12 - 12:25 AM

If it comes through your card...www.davee.com can record at least the mono track.

It is great for backup...

Some use it for verification and archive of "chats " 'slivers " and "minervas " not to mention skype and pal-talk for compliant USA wiretaps.

Sincerely,
Garvoyle

Very boring stuff monitoring the mudcat members...with six lines open ... 18 much more intesting stuff...however the "mufldcat gig " does cover tbe rent.

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: Highlandman
Date: 23 May 12 - 10:04 AM

At the risk of saying more than I know...
There's Win7 32-bit and Win7 64-bit. The 32-bit seems to be reasonably well compatible with most developers' older drivers. The 64-bit driver world is another matter. Many developers haven't gotten around to providing drivers that work with the new architecture and I suspect a good many won't bother. Some of the older drivers appear to run with 64-bit but don't work properly.
Your problem may reside in or near that issue. Not that I can tell you how to fix it, but it may narrow things down for someone smarter.
-Glenn

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 23 May 12 - 10:32 AM

Total Recorder has always been a well regarded low cost streaming audio recording software.

http://www.highcriteria.com/



Regarding the 64 bit audio driver issue..

I have more than enough USB audio interfaces and preamps
that work fine with XP and Win 7 32 bit,
but are reported to struggle with Win 7 64 bit.

That's why I'm so interested in the brand new released high quality budget priced Roland Quad Capture USB audio interface.

Reviews claim it's newly designed drivers are better than most at working effectively on Win 7 64 bit.

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: terrier
Date: 23 May 12 - 10:44 AM

FWIW (me being non techie, I just read a lot:)) My Win7 machine that works with Audacity is 64 bit, the one that doesn't work with Audacity is 32 bit.

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 23 May 12 - 10:50 AM

Although it may be of little interest to those with better programs, it may be worth noting that Microsoft has stated that the final release of Windows 8 will not include even the previous Media Player, in any default versions.

The justification for the omission is that Microsoft has to pay royalties for use of the codex files that need to be included, and they're "unable to bear the cost."

Since Win 8 is still "in beta" there have been few appearances of anything resembling clear statements of what is meant, and slightly conflicting interpretations have appeared. Apparently "a player" has been included in beta versions, but they intend to "disappear" it.

The most thorough note I've seen indicated that the player probably will be a free download from Microsoft for the top (highest cost) version of Win8, and that users of the middle range version will be able to purcha$e the download "if they want it."

The conflicting notices imply that users of the "Basic" versions may not be able to install it at all, although some think the meaning is only that you'd have to get it from someone other than Microsoft.

Of course they may change their minds, or at least tell their story from the other face, by the time Win8 is actually released in final version.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 23 May 12 - 10:56 AM

Here's a trick when all else fails... If you're using an external SoundCard / Audio Interface (highly advisable to get the best sound out of the most basic laptop; try the Behinger UCA222 which costs peanuts & delivers real goods) then stick a line in the headphone socket and root it into the inputs. All you need is mini-jack to double phono lead.

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From:
Date: 24 May 12 - 06:10 AM

I've been using Win 7 64 and Audacity 1.3.13 beta and recording from Stereo Mix just fine. None of the problems noted by Ed. However I also have Total Recorder as well. That may have installed something extra. Just noticed Audacity is up to 2.0

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: Highlandman
Date: 24 May 12 - 11:27 AM

FWIW I recently upgraded Audacity to 2.0 and it works a dream on my Win7/32 laptop.
-Glenn

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: eddie1
Date: 24 May 12 - 07:35 PM

What Suibhne Astray said above will work even with an internal soundcard.
To go back to the OP, I suspect the "tinny" recording obtained is the pc,probably a laptop, recording via the internal mike from the internal loudspeaker. I had the same problem with Windows 7 until I found out about the lead from speaker socket to mike socket thanks to Mudcat!

Eddie

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 24 May 12 - 08:02 PM

Audacity 2 does not update or overwrite previous version.

It installed separately on my Win 7 PC.

Probably best to uninstall old version first...

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: Highlandman
Date: 25 May 12 - 09:25 AM

PFR, I didn't have any conflicts with both 1.? and 2.0 installed, but I did clean up the old version afterward. -Glenn

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: GUEST,John Foxen
Date: 26 May 12 - 01:03 PM

For recording from the web or anything on your computer I would recommend the inexpensive software polderbits. It has the advantage that you can download it on seven-days free trial and see how you get on with it.
It can save files as wav or mp3.
I've also used it very successfully for recording vinyl and tapes.

http://www.polderbits.com/

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 26 May 12 - 01:59 PM

The key to recording sound off the sound card with Audacity is to use the i/p set as 'Stereo Mix.'

If you simply click on record without first choosing 'Stereo Mix' as the i/p you will likely be recording from the mic. setting. Not a good idea.

Firstly remove all versions of Audacity, &/or install the latest v2.0.

Then follow the various links from the download site to also install the Lame MP3 decoder.

Also download and install the various Nyquist add-ons for later processing of recordings.

If you have XP then 'Stereo Mix' as the i/p will most likely already be configured by default.

If you have Vista or Win 7 then you need to configure 'Stereo Mix' first. Google search 'configuring stereo mix windows 7' or something like that. Its quite easy. Or see:

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/39532/how-to-enable-stereo-mix-in-windows-7-to-record-audio/

Then there is another setting you need to experiment with - 'Software PlayThrough' (or something like that). Go to Edit / Preferences / Recording - try this option checked or unchecked.

When recording with Audacity be aware that the slider settings for the i/p and o/p will both affect the recording level. So adjust both so that the waveform gets up to about 95% but not more, and avoid clipping over 100%. Or record at a lower level, say 60% and then amplify the recording using a Nyquist add-on afterwards.

I have to add that in order to record webcasts or streaming audio I prefer to try and track down the raw URL then use Orbit to download the sound file. An Orbit download is restartable.

To get the raw URL I use StreamTransport then Orbit. Or there are other sniffer programmes available.

To download from YouTube I use one of the many apps. such as YouTube Downloader. For the Beeb Radio on iPLayer you can use RadioDownloader or for Beeb radio and t.v. progs. there is get_iplayer.

If the downloaded file is at too low a level you can open it into Audacity and amplify it.

Hope all this helps.

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard recording with Audacity
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 09 Sep 12 - 11:29 AM

Well many thanks everyone.

Despite the advice, I never managed to get it working satisfactorily.

However, having just installed the new version of Audacity (2.0.2) it records perfectly. Thanks again for your help, and apologies for my tardy reply!