Posted January 14, 2013
I updated the VIA drivers, and now my stereo mix -option has vanished from playclaw audio inputs and its unavailable the windows audio settings...
KneeTheCap
Nasse-Setä
Registered: Feb 2010
From Finland
adambiser
fascimania.com
Registered: Dec 2009
From United States
KneeTheCap
Nasse-Setä
Registered: Feb 2010
From Finland
Posted January 14, 2013
From what I've read, the removal of "Stereo Mix" happens when a company gives in to RIAA threats since being able to record what you hear can facilitate piracy and bypass DRM...
You know what, fine. This debacle tells me that it's time to upgrade my motherboard. I have Asus M4N75TD, which is some years old. And the processor is glued to the motherboard now, so I need to buy a new one. Perhaps a soundcard too.
Any suggestions?
(my comp case is Antec 300)
DProject
Not Deus Ex
Registered: Dec 2009
From Finland
Posted January 14, 2013
http://www.alesis.com/multimix4usb
Until it fell on the floor and got smashed, I used that one as my primary sound card and it did it's job very well for my needs. Switching between speakers and headphones was very handy - although I cannot remember if it had jacks designed for headsets, so you might wanna check that first. Other than that - a good mixer for its asking price and a great sound card as well.
My current sound card is a Creative SB Audigy 2 that is about 10 years old, but still works and responds to all my audio needs too (except that the output plug is getting near retirement).
Both solutions are easy on the wallet, especially the Audigy 2 card if you can still find one in this day. Neither need nor use any bullshit 3rd party volume mixers either, which judging by this thread is a plus.
Until it fell on the floor and got smashed, I used that one as my primary sound card and it did it's job very well for my needs. Switching between speakers and headphones was very handy - although I cannot remember if it had jacks designed for headsets, so you might wanna check that first. Other than that - a good mixer for its asking price and a great sound card as well.
My current sound card is a Creative SB Audigy 2 that is about 10 years old, but still works and responds to all my audio needs too (except that the output plug is getting near retirement).
Both solutions are easy on the wallet, especially the Audigy 2 card if you can still find one in this day. Neither need nor use any bullshit 3rd party volume mixers either, which judging by this thread is a plus.
adambiser
fascimania.com
Registered: Dec 2009
From United States
Posted January 14, 2013
I'm glad you were able to revert back. It sucks not having "Stereo Mix." My sound card has no way of getting it back.
My knowledge of motherboards is very minimal, so I will let others answer this one. However, I don't think upgrading the motherboard will necessarily fix your problem since I think it's a sound driver issue.
My only recommendation is before picking a sound card, do a few searches for "card name" plus "stereo mix" or "no microphone" / "low microphone", etc to see if it has this issue as well.
EDIT:
This USB mic might still be something to try if you feel like doing that.
My knowledge of motherboards is very minimal, so I will let others answer this one. However, I don't think upgrading the motherboard will necessarily fix your problem since I think it's a sound driver issue.
My only recommendation is before picking a sound card, do a few searches for "card name" plus "stereo mix" or "no microphone" / "low microphone", etc to see if it has this issue as well.
EDIT:
This USB mic might still be something to try if you feel like doing that.
Post edited January 14, 2013 by adambiser
KneeTheCap
Nasse-Setä
Registered: Feb 2010
From Finland
Posted January 14, 2013
I just don't know what the problem is... it makes no sense at all. Skype works wonderfully with the mic, they can hear me crystal clear.
But recording + my mic = no no.
I can't even put stereo mix as the default option, since if that is done, skype thinks I don't have a mic and won't let me call. I have to keep the mic as the default thing.
I mean, what? Why does this have to be this hard? I am seriously losing patience here...
But recording + my mic = no no.
I can't even put stereo mix as the default option, since if that is done, skype thinks I don't have a mic and won't let me call. I have to keep the mic as the default thing.
I mean, what? Why does this have to be this hard? I am seriously losing patience here...
adambiser
fascimania.com
Registered: Dec 2009
From United States
Posted January 14, 2013
I'm pretty sure it's a matter of the sonud card and/or driver, but obviously updating the driver made things worse.
Basically when things are working you need to redirect your microphone through the speakers (since it's a headset, I don't think you'll have a problem with feedback).
Skype will still use the microphone input, but playclaw will need to use the "Stereo mix". When this is working properly, you should be able to hear yourself in your headset.
I believe just about everyone who has offered advice has been working toward that goal, but I don't think your sound card and/or driver allows it. Maybe it's some sort of protection against the chance of feedback, I don't know.
Using a USB mic might be an option since it would bypass your sound card allowing you to patch it into your Stereo Mix. You might also experience some audio lag, I don't know. I've not tried this out. I'm sure results will vary.
If you really feel like going deeper with your current setup, I have seen where you can retask a jack. So maybe you can retask the line-in as a mic jack and use that? I haven't done any of this, so I can't really help you beyond that.
Basically when things are working you need to redirect your microphone through the speakers (since it's a headset, I don't think you'll have a problem with feedback).
Skype will still use the microphone input, but playclaw will need to use the "Stereo mix". When this is working properly, you should be able to hear yourself in your headset.
I believe just about everyone who has offered advice has been working toward that goal, but I don't think your sound card and/or driver allows it. Maybe it's some sort of protection against the chance of feedback, I don't know.
Using a USB mic might be an option since it would bypass your sound card allowing you to patch it into your Stereo Mix. You might also experience some audio lag, I don't know. I've not tried this out. I'm sure results will vary.
If you really feel like going deeper with your current setup, I have seen where you can retask a jack. So maybe you can retask the line-in as a mic jack and use that? I haven't done any of this, so I can't really help you beyond that.
KneeTheCap
Nasse-Setä
Registered: Feb 2010
From Finland
Posted January 14, 2013
So a soundcard may fix this then? hmh...
adambiser
fascimania.com
Registered: Dec 2009
From United States
adambiser
fascimania.com
Registered: Dec 2009
From United States
Posted January 14, 2013
OK. I dug out my mic to see what I needed to do to get things to work.
Sound card: Realtek High Definition Audio (on board)
Driver: v6.0.1.6662 (6/19/2012)
Microphone: Radio Shack 33-1067
The microphone level didn't go up much even when I blew on the mic.
1) Run "mmsys.cpl" to bring up the sound properties
2) Click the "Recording" tab"
3) Note that "Stereo Mix" is listed as "Ready" (most likely is already)
4) Right-click "Microphone" and open "Properties"
5) You already know the levels and boost area maxed out, no need to go there again.
6) Click the "Listen" tab
7) Check "Listen to this device"
8) Click "OK"
When you do this, if things are working properly, you should hear yourself through your speakers or headphones.
If you do not hear yourself, I would say it's the sound card 100% and you need to get around that one way or another.
I hope this helps at least somewhat.
Sound card: Realtek High Definition Audio (on board)
Driver: v6.0.1.6662 (6/19/2012)
Microphone: Radio Shack 33-1067
The microphone level didn't go up much even when I blew on the mic.
1) Run "mmsys.cpl" to bring up the sound properties
2) Click the "Recording" tab"
3) Note that "Stereo Mix" is listed as "Ready" (most likely is already)
4) Right-click "Microphone" and open "Properties"
5) You already know the levels and boost area maxed out, no need to go there again.
6) Click the "Listen" tab
7) Check "Listen to this device"
8) Click "OK"
When you do this, if things are working properly, you should hear yourself through your speakers or headphones.
If you do not hear yourself, I would say it's the sound card 100% and you need to get around that one way or another.
I hope this helps at least somewhat.
Sude
🜂🜁🜄🜃𝓠
Registered: Dec 2009
From Finland
Posted January 14, 2013
Take a look at Virtual Audio Cable
I don't know if this would help but since the software has a trial version you may as well try if it works
Create 2 virtual cables and then route the audio through them as explained in this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFG0kfOS4_g
I think you can achieve similar result using JACK Audio Connection Kit for windows
http://jackaudio.org/jack_on_windows
However I have never used JACK on windows so I'm not sure
I don't know if this would help but since the software has a trial version you may as well try if it works
Create 2 virtual cables and then route the audio through them as explained in this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFG0kfOS4_g
I think you can achieve similar result using JACK Audio Connection Kit for windows
http://jackaudio.org/jack_on_windows
However I have never used JACK on windows so I'm not sure
aleluist
New User
Registered: Oct 2010
From Argentina
Posted January 14, 2013
After reading all of this, some ideas I had about the matter:
- Windows 7 has two different settings for default devices: normal and "communications" (i. e. Skype). Check what you are using as "communications" device (since it's working with Skype), and use that for both. To check this you have to right click on any of the options ("Mikrofoni", for example) and check if you can select that as default. If you can't, it is already selected. Seeing your screenshot I think it was setted properly, but it won't hurt to check.
- At the same time, if you want to use the connector at the front of the case, you have to select "Front Mic" as default device. Otherwise, it won't work. And while you are at it, it could be a good idea to try selecting the "Front Mic" as "standard" default device but keep "Mikrofoni" as default device for communications and try recording from the front input.
- In fact, if you want to record the whole "stereo mix" set that as default device for recording. Worth a try. As long as the mic is sending signal, it should be recorded. Might not work, though.
- It may very well have nothing to be with this but, since Vista, Windows automatically change sample rates whenever you launch a program. Try if you can make things work using 44.1khz, 16 bits. With badly written drivers, that could help.
- In the "sound" window, go to the last tab (my guess is that it says "communications") and select the "don't do anything" option. If you do not find that option (I'm using a spanish version of Windows, so the wording can be different), it should be the bottom one. Please do tell what setting was selected!
- Another thing: can you try what happens when using the "sound recorder" that comes with Windows?
One important thing: based in what you wrote the mic is not the problem. It could be the OS, the software you are using, the drivers... but not the mic. It seems like a gain setting problem, though...
- Windows 7 has two different settings for default devices: normal and "communications" (i. e. Skype). Check what you are using as "communications" device (since it's working with Skype), and use that for both. To check this you have to right click on any of the options ("Mikrofoni", for example) and check if you can select that as default. If you can't, it is already selected. Seeing your screenshot I think it was setted properly, but it won't hurt to check.
- At the same time, if you want to use the connector at the front of the case, you have to select "Front Mic" as default device. Otherwise, it won't work. And while you are at it, it could be a good idea to try selecting the "Front Mic" as "standard" default device but keep "Mikrofoni" as default device for communications and try recording from the front input.
- In fact, if you want to record the whole "stereo mix" set that as default device for recording. Worth a try. As long as the mic is sending signal, it should be recorded. Might not work, though.
- It may very well have nothing to be with this but, since Vista, Windows automatically change sample rates whenever you launch a program. Try if you can make things work using 44.1khz, 16 bits. With badly written drivers, that could help.
- In the "sound" window, go to the last tab (my guess is that it says "communications") and select the "don't do anything" option. If you do not find that option (I'm using a spanish version of Windows, so the wording can be different), it should be the bottom one. Please do tell what setting was selected!
- Another thing: can you try what happens when using the "sound recorder" that comes with Windows?
One important thing: based in what you wrote the mic is not the problem. It could be the OS, the software you are using, the drivers... but not the mic. It seems like a gain setting problem, though...
KneeTheCap
Nasse-Setä
Registered: Feb 2010
From Finland
Posted January 14, 2013
- Windows 7 has two different settings for default devices: normal and "communications" (i. e. Skype). Check what you are using as "communications" device (since it's working with Skype), and use that for both. To check this you have to right click on any of the options ("Mikrofoni", for example) and check if you can select that as default. If you can't, it is already selected. Seeing your screenshot I think it was setted properly, but it won't hurt to check.
- At the same time, if you want to use the connector at the front of the case, you have to select "Front Mic" as default device. Otherwise, it won't work. And while you are at it, it could be a good idea to try selecting the "Front Mic" as "standard" default device but keep "Mikrofoni" as default device for communications and try recording from the front input.
- In fact, if you want to record the whole "stereo mix" set that as default device for recording. Worth a try. As long as the mic is sending signal, it should be recorded. Might not work, though.
- It may very well have nothing to be with this but, since Vista, Windows automatically change sample rates whenever you launch a program. Try if you can make things work using 44.1khz, 16 bits. With badly written drivers, that could help.
- In the "sound" window, go to the last tab (my guess is that it says "communications") and select the "don't do anything" option. If you do not find that option (I'm using a spanish version of Windows, so the wording can be different), it should be the bottom one. Please do tell what setting was selected!
- Another thing: can you try what happens when using the "sound recorder" that comes with Windows?
One important thing: based in what you wrote the mic is not the problem. It could be the OS, the software you are using, the drivers... but not the mic. It seems like a gain setting problem, though...
Last time I put stereo mix as the default and recorded with skype on (it lets me change to stereo mix after the call has started, but refuses to accept calls if stereo mix is the default prior), it recorded my friends voice and the sounds from the game. It didn't record my mic...
It's selected, the don't do anything -button.
Sound recorded records my voice with the same low volume as playclaw and audacity does.
Mic is probably okay, as it works wonderfully with Skype..
The codec this VIA HD Audio deck uses is VT1708S. If I update the drivers, it gets wonky.
aleluist
New User
Registered: Oct 2010
From Argentina
Posted January 14, 2013
Last time I put stereo mix as the default and recorded with skype on (it lets me change to stereo mix after the call has started, but refuses to accept calls if stereo mix is the default prior), it recorded my friends voice and the sounds from the game. It didn't record my mic...
It's selected, the don't do anything -button.
Sound recorded records my voice with the same low volume as playclaw and audacity does.
Mic is probably okay, as it works wonderfully with Skype..
The codec this VIA HD Audio deck uses is VT1708S. If I update the drivers, it gets wonky.
Still, even if it's a really weird one, I think it's a settings problem. There has to be something we aren't seeing. If it's not too much problem, can I ask you to take screenshots of the "Stereo Mix" tab and the "Settings" page of that VIA software? It's a long shot, but maybe something there could be related...
KneeTheCap
Nasse-Setä
Registered: Feb 2010
From Finland
Posted January 14, 2013
Here they are :)
Post edited January 14, 2013 by KneeTheCap