Hello,

I'm currently having a problem with recording audio in using the microphone jack on the front of my computer.



I used to record and hear inputs from my guitar amp 'live' on my computer before it crashed, which it did recently. I was able to hear my guitar in real time and record the audio with Audacity. To fix the crashed computer, I reinstalled Vista onto my computer, and it now works again. The difference is that I used to use 32-bit, but I now use 64-bit.

As I said before, I can no longer hear my guitar live, and when recording, I can hear my guitar but the sound is about a second later than when I am actually playing it. This shows that my computer can tell that the input in there, but I cannot hear the sounds until I record.

My question?: Why is this happening? Is it because I have switched to 64-bit?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I used to record myself almost everyday, but I can no longer do so.

Thanks in advance.

Hi 19ben94,

Welcome to Vista Forums!

Here's an article from Audacity concerning installation in Windows Vista (and how to configure Sound and make sure you have the correct, updated drivers for the computer and for the OS - including that you're using 64-bit drivers now): Windows Vista OS - Audacity Wiki.

Go to Device Manager by going to start / search box and type device manager and enter and then double-click on the program icon that appears. Check each device for a red x, yellow ! or white ?. These identify devices with problems (probably drivers, but also conflicts or something else). Click on each for further details and troubleshooting tips. If you need to get drivers (and you should get them for at least the microphone and any audio-related device in the computer), do so from the computer vendor or device manufacturer (NOT from Microsoft Updates). Proceed as follows to get the drivers: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht/driverdlmfgr.htm. Once you have the drivers, you can install them through Device Manager as follows: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/193584-device-manager-install-driver.html.

It sounds like a driver or a configuration problem and the above should help you with both.

If not, post back with results and we'll try to find some other options to identify the cause and resolve the problem.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Lorien

Hi 19ben94,

Welcome to Vista Forums!

Here's an article from Audacity concerning installation in Windows Vista (and how to configure Sound and make sure you have the correct, updated drivers for the computer and for the OS - including that you're using 64-bit drivers now): Windows Vista OS - Audacity Wiki.

Go to Device Manager by going to start / search box and type device manager and enter and then double-click on the program icon that appears. Check each device for a red x, yellow ! or white ?. These identify devices with problems (probably drivers, but also conflicts or something else). Click on each for further details and troubleshooting tips. If you need to get drivers (and you should get them for at least the microphone and any audio-related device in the computer), do so from the computer vendor or device manufacturer (NOT from Microsoft Updates). Proceed as follows to get the drivers: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht/driverdlmfgr.htm. Once you have the drivers, you can install them through Device Manager as follows: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/193584-device-manager-install-driver.html.

It sounds like a driver or a configuration problem and the above should help you with both.

If not, post back with results and we'll try to find some other options to identify the cause and resolve the problem.

Good luck!

Thanks for the reply.

I went into Device Manager and there was no red x's, yellow !'s or white ?'s that I could see. I assume this means that all my drivers are supposed to be working fine?

Originally Posted by 19ben94

Originally Posted by Lorien

Hi 19ben94,

Welcome to Vista Forums!

Here's an article from Audacity concerning installation in Windows Vista (and how to configure Sound and make sure you have the correct, updated drivers for the computer and for the OS - including that you're using 64-bit drivers now): Windows Vista OS - Audacity Wiki.

Go to Device Manager by going to start / search box and type device manager and enter and then double-click on the program icon that appears. Check each device for a red x, yellow ! or white ?. These identify devices with problems (probably drivers, but also conflicts or something else). Click on each for further details and troubleshooting tips. If you need to get drivers (and you should get them for at least the microphone and any audio-related device in the computer), do so from the computer vendor or device manufacturer (NOT from Microsoft Updates). Proceed as follows to get the drivers: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht/driverdlmfgr.htm. Once you have the drivers, you can install them through Device Manager as follows: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/193584-device-manager-install-driver.html.

It sounds like a driver or a configuration problem and the above should help you with both.

If not, post back with results and we'll try to find some other options to identify the cause and resolve the problem.

Good luck!

Thanks for the reply.

I went into Device Manager and there was no red x's, yellow !'s or white ?'s that I could see. I assume this means that all my drivers are supposed to be working fine?

Theoretically, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't update all those associated with audio, especially the microphone, anyway. I've seen drivers say they're OK but cause problems anyway (or need to be updated or be incorrect). And follow the other instructions including those in the first article.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Lorien

Theoretically, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't update all those associated with audio, especially the microphone, anyway. I've seen drivers say they're OK but cause problems anyway (or need to be updated or be incorrect). And follow the other instructions including those in the first article.

Good luck!

The problem is, there isn't a driver for what I use, because it is just a lead connecting my amp to the mic jack via the headphone socket of my amp.

What I don't understand is, Why has it suddenly stopped working? I'm starting to think that I had maybe got something on my system before I reinstalled the OS that allowed it to work, but I don't know what that thing was :-/

Originally Posted by ilikefree

What sound driver do you use? Is it Realtek?

Erm... I'm not sure. How do I find out?

Right, I installed a Realtek audio driver and opened the 'Realtek HD Audio Manager'. Then, I unmuted the 'Playback Volume' and turned it up, and I can now hear my guitar!

I also fixed the lag in Audacity by unchecking a box that allowed playback during recording, as this is known to cause lag.

I used to have Realtek before my computer broke, but I didn't realise, so I just needed to reinstall it.

Thanks for the help 'Lorien' and 'ilikefree', you get a rep each