Sigh... little help, please?

[Rath Darkblade]

So here's the story:

I use a music program to play music (in MIDI format), sing along to it, and record myself. I then listen to it, to see what I can improve on.

Back in the XP days, I could use the Windows Sound Recorder to do this - it would record both the MIDI music and my voice. Since I switched to Windows 7, however, the Windows Sound Recorder has decided that it will only record my voice. The same thing happened with all other sound recording software I tried (Audacity 1.3 beta among them).

When I try to record the backing music (press record, alt+tab to other program to play the backing music, press play, alt+tab back to recording program), all that's recorded is the mouse click event - a very subtle but still audible sound.

I wrote to a fellow sound recording friend, who wrote back saying "You simply need to reconfigure your sound recorder and unmute some channels." However, I don't understand. How should I reconfigure the sound recorder? What channels should I unmute? I don't get it.

Any ideas on what I can do?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[DeadPoolX]

Okay, I'm not exactly sure what you're getting at since I haven't had your problem (I have both WinXP Pro and Win7 Pro), but try this:

Right-click on the sound icon in the lower right-hand corner of the toolbar and choose "recording devices." You'll probably see a few options (I have three) so make sure the one you want is active. If it's active, the image will be in color and a green arrow will be present; if it's deactivated, it'll be in black and white with a gray arrow.

I don't know what hardware you have (or how many recording devices), so if you have more than one you'll have to experiment.

I'd also recommend doing the same for "playback devices."

Make sure to open the "volume mixer" to see if you have something muted or turned all the way down. Win7 is different from previous versions of Windows in that you can pick and choose what piece of audio you want to enable or disable (i.e. you can disable sounds for Firefox but keep sounds on otherwise and so on).

Finally, if none of the above works (and please test it all very thoroughly) do a Google search. I'd like to think you did an exhaustive search before coming here, but maybe you didn't.

[MusicallyInspired]

I don't have a lot of experience with Windows 7, but in WinXP if you want to record two sources simultaneously (like a mic input and MIDI output) you have to select "What You Hear" as the selected channel in the Recording Volume Control. Maybe it's something similar with Win7.

[Collector]

The "What You Hear" is a feature of Creative cards which may not be available with most onboard sound. Audacity allows you to overdub or play other tracks while recording a new one.

[DeadPoolX]

Audacity allows you to overdub or play other tracks while recording a new one.

That's what I thought. I'm not sure why Audacity wouldn't be working UNLESS there are some system settings he's overlooking.

I've looked through Win7's audio settings and I can't find anything, except the obvious (like disabling recording/playback audio) that'd really have an effect.

Admittedly, my experience with Win7 is much less than Collector's, so maybe he'll find something I missed. As is, however, I think we'd all like some more details about the problem.

[Collector]

Audacity's default setting is to not use overdubbing. You have to set it in the programs preferences.

[Rath Darkblade]

I'm using this program: http://www.vanbasco.com/karaokeplayer/ to play music in MIDI format. Lyrics are displayed in a separate window. I listen to the music and come in when necessary (although I know the lyrics by heart by now). What I'd like to do is to record the music I hear, in conjunction with my voice.

I have already set overdubbing in Audacity, but it doesn't seem to do anything. When I try to create a new track and record myself, I cannot hear the music - I can only hear myself alt-tabbing back and forth from Audacity to vanBasco and vice-versa. When I import the MIDI track to Audacity, then create a new track and try to record while listening to the MIDI track (on Audacity)... well, again, I cannot hear the MIDI track at all.

My playback channels are:
1. Digital Audio (HDMI) 2 - High Definition Audio Device (not plugged in).
2. Speakers (plugged in when headset not plugged in, and vice versa).
3. Headset (see speakers).
4. Digital Audio (S/PDIF) - controlled by the rear panel mic jack.
5. Digital Audio (S/PDIF) - controlled by something called the ATAPI Internal ATAPI jack. (?)

I think the first channel should be used, because when I right-click on it, one of the options is "About Software MIDI Synthesizer". However, it is currently unplugged, and there are no clues about what jack controls it and what to plug into it. *shrug* Any ideas?

[Collector]

Unless you have some digital audio equipment to hook up to your PC ignore the SPDIF. The HDMI should play through your HDMI capable monitor's speakers. the sound should be heard from your Speakers. Make sure that you can hear the output from audio recorded in Audacity. Then set it to overdub. First record your MIDI, then set the recording back to the beginning. you should see a new track when recording your 2nd track and hear the recording of the MIDI while listening via your headset to prevent feedback.

[Rath Darkblade]

Thanks Collector! I tried all you suggested and things are definitely looking up. I now have two tracks - one for music and one for lyrics.

I have noticed, however, that the music track is still riddled with a LOT of static. I looked up Audacity help and so on online, but I can't find anything to get rid of this static. Any ideas? *smiles hopefully*

[Tawmis]

Thanks Collector! I tried all you suggested and things are definitely looking up. I now have two tracks - one for music and one for lyrics.

I have noticed, however, that the music track is still riddled with a LOT of static. I looked up Audacity help and so on online, but I can't find anything to get rid of this static. Any ideas? *smiles hopefully*

If Audicy has a "cleaner" like GoldWave - check for something along the lines of "Hiss Removal"