WTF Audacity

[Frank Freniere]

I'm trying to transfer music from cassette to computer via Audacity. I'm running Windows 7 and I hate it.

Audacity keeps telling me to select an input device but when I go to Edit/Preferences, it says "No Recording Devices Found." I've got a line in from the cassette player.

I've googled this problem but it's all gobbledy-gook to me. Is there a simple fix that won't screw up the rest of my computer, where I don't have to go down into the bowels of the computer and rearrange things I have no concept of?

If you can help, PLEASE break the answer into simple, easy-to-follow step-by-steps. Thanks, Frank.

[Joe Harwell]

Do you know if you have the 32 bit or the 64 bit version of Windows 7?
It could make a difference.


Otherwise, the issue is probably the common behavior in Windows Vista and 7 that recording inputs are not always enabled in the system mixer, so not available for applications to "see". Exit Audacity and go to the system mixer to enable and select the correct recording device:
http://wiki.audacityteam.org/index.php? ... es#vistacp

Make sure you use the right-click menu to "show disabled devices" and to "enable" the one you want to record with. Then right-click again over the device you want to record with and hit Properties. On the Advanced tab, make sure the "Default format" matches both with the project rate bottom left of the Audacity screen, and with the number of "recording channels" on the Devices tab of Audacity preferences.
For pictures go here:
http://wiki.audacityteam.org/index.php? ... es#vistacp

I copied this from the Audacity forum.

If there is nothing to enable, you may have a driver problem.

This is the search phrase I used:
audacity No Recording Devices Found

Perhaps this will help.

[Mitch Drumm]

Go to control panels

Choose sound control panel

Choose recording tab of the sound control panel

Right click in the white space in that recording tab.

Make sure both "show disabled devices" and "show disconnected devices" are checked.

What do you see listed in that recording tab?

If you see NOTHING listed, you aren't going to record.

Sound is the touchiest and most finicky part of Windows 7 in my experience. It has nothing to do with Audacity.

[Frank Freniere]

Joe, Mitch and Wiz -

Thanks for your help. I followed the information you all provided and something worked - I'm just not sure what - probably checking the Devices Tab properly did the trick.

[Will Houston]

Hey Frank, the last time I tried Audacity I had the same problem, I just gave up. Maybe I will try it again with these tips.
Good luck to you.