View source for Mixer Toolbar Issues

{{ednote|'''Peter 03Jan19:''' [[ToDo-1]] This page needs a serious review.  Being in the Wiki rather than the manual it receives much less editorial notice and attention.  We should consider moving it to the Manual probably (or deprecating it).  Note that there ar several places in the Manual that link yo this page. }}
{{ednote| '''Peter 15Mar14:''' [[ToDo-2]] Potentially this page could be deprecated? Gale wrote of this page in an email on 14Mar14: ''"A lot of that material at the top of that is "legacy" but if the legacy version is 1.3.13 or later. then much of the page applies. Perhaps that means we just leave the page "as is" for sending a copy to a legacy Wiki ?"''
* '''Gale 02May14:''' The Windows sections for the control panels [[#vistacp|vistacp]] and [[#xpcp|xpcp]] are linked to every day from Forum answers. 
*'''Peter 4May14:''' A fair point Gale - but is it linked to for users of current Audacity or users of obsolete versions?  If it's for current version users than this page could be moved to the manual - the obsolete legacy users can be pointed to the parallel page in the Legacy Wiki - that is what the Legacy Wiki is for, supporting obsolete users surely.  <p>The advice note below states '''''"is mainly for users who need to use legacy Audacity 1.2.x or 1.3.x."''''' that's why I was inferring this page could be deprecated from the main Wiki, which is for the current version of Audacity.</p>
*'''Steve 12May14:''' I would suggest leaving this page as is for the legacy wiki, and severely trimming it down for the current wiki. My impression is that if we remove the information that no longer applies, then the "Alerts" for ''modern'' Windows can be moved into the normal text flow. The "Windows Control Panel" section is very heavily linked to on the forum, though could perhaps be updated to put more emphasis on using WASAPI for recording sounds playing on the computer and much less emphasis on "Stereo Mix".
**'''Peter 15May14:''' Of course it remains (and will remain) in Legacy Wiki - that is what the "Legacy Wiki" is for - users of legacy/obsolete versions of Audacity.  My point here is that this looks like an entirely legacy page and can thus be deleted from current Wiki.  Or am I wrong and there are sections of this page that should remain for current Audacity users?
***And I'm not sure why we're still talking about XP now that Microsoft have discontinued support. It is some thing that imo we should actively discourage (as Gale does on the Forum).  Effectively XP is now a legacy/obsolete operating system - so its presence in Legacy Wiki would be ok - but in current Wiki should be deprecated if this page remains here.
** '''Gale 18May14:''' I changed this to PS. As Steve says, the #vistacp and #xpcp anchors here are linked to every day to give support for current Audacity. My suggestion is that this page becomes a Windows-only page called "Windows System Mixer" (though if we want to move the page, the #xpcp and #vistacp anchors will need redirecting in the .htaccess file on the server). I will need to go though the page above the Windows Control Panel sections and see what if anything to retain (so please don't just delete that content).<p>The #xpcp anchor is mandatory while Audacity officially supports XP. My Forum dissuasions about it are only about security, nothing else.</p> <p> The Mac section is outdated and could be moved to [[Mac OS X]] or whatever becomes of that. I've rewritten the Linux section to be relevant to current Audacity, but Steve can check it over. That Linux section can then be moved to [[Linux Issues]].</p>
*'''Peter 10Jun14:''' I transferred the Mac section to [[Mac OS X]] as Gale suggests.  I have asked Steve to take a look ot the Linux section. }}

{{advice|This page contains important information for users of current Audacity on Windows about [[#cp|enabling inputs in the Windows Control Panel]]. }} 

== Mixer Toolbar issues and input device selection ==
In [https://web.audacityteam.org/download/ current Audacity], all available inputs are selected in [https://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/device_toolbar.html Device Toolbar] or [https://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/devices_preferences.html Devices Preferences]. 

=== Recording Device ===

It is often assumed that Audacity controls the input sources displayed, but in fact the sources offered are governed by the drivers of the sound device that is currently selected in the Audacity Preferences. Drivers are a big issue on Windows machines, and it often happens that machines purchased new will only be supplied with generic Microsoft drivers. This may prevent the audio device linking properly to the system mixer, so you may end up always recording from line-in, or cannot apparently record at all (whatever input source you choose). Another issue may be that you won't see all the inputs that your device potentially offers. 

So the first step towards rectifying input problems is to open the {{menu|Preferences}} and choose {{menu|Devices}} . Find out what inputs are available and ensure that the playback and recording devices are explicitly set to the correct device you want to use. For example you may have multiple sound devices such as built-in sound and an external USB device, so you need to choose between them. If you are on Windows and experiencing problems, choose your sound device explicitly, not Microsoft Sound Mapper (which is intended to map to the currently selected default Windows sound device, but may not always do so correctly).
{{tip|'''Note that on [[Windows Vista OS|Windows Vista]], [[Windows 7 OS|Windows 7]] and later, initial driver setup typically disables all the inputs except for the built-in microphone.''' It is strongly recommended to use the [[#vistacp|Sound Control Panel]] to show and enable all disabled devices so that recording applications like Audacity can see them.}} 

==== Device selection for inbuilt devices on Windows ====

Note that some sound devices have individual analog to digital converters (ADC's) for the different inputs such as microphone and line-in. Where this is the case, these inputs are treated as separate recording devices on Windows (for example, "Line-In: Realtek" or "Microphone: SoundMax"). These inputs can be most conveniently selected in [https://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/device_toolbar.html Device Toolbar] in [https://web.audacityteam.org/download/windows current Audacity] but in legacy Audacity before 1.3.13 they must be selected in the Audio I/O or Devices tab of Preferences and not in the Mixer Toolbar selector which will be greyed out. 

Windows Vista and later always treat recording sources as separate "devices", so on these systems the Mixer Toolbar selector in legacy Audacity will be greyed out and inputs must be chosen in the Audio I/O or Devices Preferences.

===USB and Firewire recording devices ===

Note that if your selected recording device is a USB or Firewire device, these normally do not have multiple input sources to choose from, so Device Toolbar or Preferences will only list the device as a single choice and the input selector in legacy Audacity will grey out. This is normal, and just means that input choices must be made in the device itself, or in any control software that comes with it. Examples of devices which will normally not allow input selection in Audacity are the Griffin iMic, USB turntables or USB cassette decks and a wide variety of USB and Firewire mixers and interfaces.   

[[Multichannel Recording|Multi-channel recording devices]] do allow limited input channel selection in Audacity where the drivers support this, though only [[Multichannel Recording#Suggested devices|a few devices on Windows]] allow recording more than a pair of two channels at once unless you compile Audacity with [[ASIO Audio Interface|ASIO]] support. 

===Device already in use=== 

Also check your sound device is not already in use. If you are on Mac or Linux and the sound device is already being used by another application, Audacity may not be able to access it for recording. As a result, Device Toolbar, Preferences or the legacy Mixer Toolbar input selector may be empty of devices. Generally, this is not a problem on Windows as long as you choose MME host in Audacity, though issues with some applications are known. For example, speech recognition in Word, Skype or the Fraps screen capture software may prevent other applications from using the sound device to record from a microphone.

===Further help===
 
If you've got this far and the problem is not solved, go to the appropriate section below your operating system:
* [[#Windows_Problems|Windows]]
* [[#OS_X-specific_issues|Mac]]
* [[#Linux-specific_issues|Linux]]

and then if you still have problems, go to our page on [[Updating Sound Device Drivers]]. 

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==Windows Problems==
{{advice|We strongly suggest you obtain the [https://web.audacityteam.org/download/ current version of Audacity] then read our further information about [[Windows 10 OS|Windows 10]], [[Windows 8 OS|Windows 8]], [[Windows 7 OS|Windows 7]] and [[Windows Vista OS|Windows Vista]].}}

===Card Not Supported===
Some high-end multi-channel cards on Windows systems don't use the standard Windows mixer interface and volume control, but instead supply a custom mixer application which Audacity can't hook in to. In these cases you need to select the recording settings and levels using the custom mixer application shipped with the soundcard. Recording should work as normal with the card however.

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=== Recording Devices ===
In current Audacity select recording inputs at {{Menu|Edit > Preferences: Devices tab}}, in the {{Menu|"Recording Device"}} dropdown.  In current Audacity, recording devices can also be viewed in [https://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/device_toolbar.html Device Toolbar]. To enable this toolbar, click {{Menu|View > Toolbars > Device Toolbar}}. 
 
If selecting a particular input does not work, or you don't see the input you want, try selecting it in the Windows Control Panel (see the next section below).
{{tip|Accessing the Windows '''Sound''' controls and trying to select your required input there may often allow you to record into Audacity, even if the input you want isn't in Device Toolbar or Devices Preferences, or isn't recording properly.  }}
     
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==== Windows 10 / Windows 8 / Windows 7 / Windows Vista ====
On '''Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista''', the quickest way to access the mixer is to right-click over the {{menu|speaker icon}} in the System Tray by the system clock and selecting {{menu|Sounds}} and then click on the {{menu|Recording}} tab.  Alternatively go to the {{menu|Control Panel}} and choose {{menu|Hardware and Sound > Sound}}. 
{{ednote|'''Peter 07Jan19:''' [[ToDo-2]] In W10 the Control Panel is now well hidden ''(Microsoft seem to regard it as an embarrassment)''. The modern way is via '''Settings'''.}}

:[[Image:Vistarec.png|440px|link=]]<br clear="all" />
{{ednote|'''Peter 02Jan19:''' [[ToDo-1]] we should have a W10 image either to replace this
*'''Peter 07Jan19:''' Especially since it is missing the {{menu|Communications}} tab }}

It is common on Vista and later that '''not all recording inputs are automatically enabled in the main Recording tab'''. This means they are invisible in that tab, and also invisible to recording applications like Audacity. So you need to make them visible, then enable and make default the main one you want to use, following the steps below.   
{{advice|All the settings below are specific to each recording or playback device. Therefore after enabling, making default and adjusting settings for your main recording and playback devices, it is best to enable and adjust settings for each other device you want to use.}}

'''Recording Settings'''
<ol>
<li> Right-click anywhere inside the empty, white space, of '''''Recording''''' tab and choose '''"Show disabled devices"''' then right-click again and check '''"Show Disconnected Devices"'''. 
<li>For a device having a physical input like line-in or microphone, connect the required cable and make sure it fits tightly - a physical device not connected may show as "currently unavailable".
<li> Right-click specifically over the input device you want to record with (for example, line-in or "Stereo Mix"), and if visible, choose '''"Enable"'''.
<li> Right-click once again over the input device you want to record with, and choose '''"Set as Default Device"'''.
<li> Right-click once again over the input device you want to record with, click {{Menu|Properties}} then the {{Menu|Levels}} tab and ensure the volume slider is turned up.
<li> Right-click once again over the required input device, click {{Menu|Properties}} then click the {{Menu|Advanced}} tab.
<ol><li>'''Set Default Format to mono or stereo''' to match with the number of "recording channels" in Audacity's [https://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/device_toolbar.html Device&nbsp;Toolbar] or the '''Devices''' tab of Audacity Preferences ''(Audio I/O tab in legacy Audacity 1.3.7 or earlier)''.
<li>'''Set the sample rate in Default Format''' so that it's the same as the project rate bottom left of the Audacity screen. 44100 Hz is a safe choice if you are unsure. Now click '''"OK"'''.</ol></ol>


===Adjust Communications Settings (even if you don't make internet calls)===
<p>Windows sound settings are often optimised for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_Internet_Protocol VoIP] (internet calls or video conferencing) using applications such as [http://www.skype.com Skype], but these settings can interfere with high quality microphone recordings of music. </p>
<ol><li>Look for and turn off all sound enhancements and any other sound effects unless you need them. To do this, right-click over "Microphone", choose {{menu|Properties}} then look for an {{menu|Effects}} or {{menu|Enhancements}} tab where you can disable all effects. 
<li> On Windows 10, Windows 8 or Windows 7, also click the main '''''Communications''''' tab, then under "When Windows detects communications activity:", choose '''"Do nothing"'''. This should prevent unwanted playback volume changes when recording computer playback or when recording over playback of another track.
<li>If you do make internet calls and require to use specific devices for calls, proceed as follows.
<ul><li>To use a particular microphone only for calls, right-click over that device and choose "Set as Default Communication Device" (a green "telephone" icon will appear by the device). 
<li>Similarly, to use for example headphones as playback device for calls and speakers or other devices for music, choose the '''''Playback''''' tab at the top of "Sound", right-click over the device to use for calls and choose "Set as Default Communication Device".
<li>If you want to use a headset for calls, choose "Set as Default Communication Device" for the headset on both the "Recording" and "Playback" tabs.</ul></ol>


===Playback Settings===  
<p>Now choose the main '''''Playback''''' tab if you are not already there. 
<ol>
<li> Right-click over your desired "Speakers" or "Headphones" sound device and if visible, choose '''"Set as Default Device"'''. If the right-click menu also shows "Set as Default Communication Device", choose that as well, then by default all applications will use that device. 
<li>Right-click over your desired device again, choose {{Menu|Properties}} then the {{Menu|Advanced}} tab, and set '''Default Format''' to a stereo choice with the same sample rate you chose in step 6.2 of the "Recording Settings" above.  
<li>To ensure the soundcard does not add unwanted playback or recording sound effects like "Cathedral" or "Closet", look for {{menu|Levels}}, {{menu|Custom}} or {{menu|Effects}} tabs and turn off all effects that are not required. Click "OK" as required to close Windows "Sound". 
<li>Now open the Windows Control Panel and look for any control panel that the sound device itself may have. Make sure again that no unwanted effects are being applied.      
</ol>


===Audacity restart and settings===
<ol>
<li> To make Audacity aware of all the changes in Sound, restart Audacity or use {{menu|Transport > Rescan Audio Devices}} ''(not available in legacy Audacity 1.3.12 or earlier)''. 
<li> In Device Toolbar or Devices Preferences, make sure '''MME''' host is chosen, then choose the output (playback) and input (recording) device you require. If you choose "Microsoft Sound Mapper - Output" and "Microsoft Sound Mapper - Input" then this should select the "Default" playback and recording devices you chose in Windows "Sound" above. </ol><br>
{{note|'''Alternative settings if crackly recording or playback occurs, or if recordings made while playing other tracks are not synchronized:''' ''(requires Audacity 1.3.7 or later)''
# Open Windows "Sound", choose the main "Recording" tab then right-click over your chosen recording device and choose "Properties". Click the "Advanced" tab, then put a checkmark (tick) in both '''Exclusive Mode''' boxes.
# Choose the main "Playback" tab then right-click over your chosen playback device, choose "Properties," click the "Advanced" tab and similarly enable both '''Exclusive Mode''' boxes. 
#Restart Audacity or use {{menu|Transport > Rescan Audio Devices}} then choose '''Windows DirectSound''' host in Device Toolbar or Devices Preferences.
#* In Exclusive Mode, the sample rate selected in "Default Format" no longer applies, so be sure at bottom left of Audacity to '''choose a project rate that your device supports'''.}}  <br>


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==OS X / macOS specific issues==
See [[Mac OS X|this page]].

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==Linux-specific issues==
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=== No devices available === 
If [https://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/device_toolbar.html Device Toolbar] or [https://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/devices_preferences.html Devices Preferences] show no playback and/or recording devices, this means there are currently no audio devices available to, or recognized by Audacity.  There are a few possible causes of this. 
<ul><li> You don't have the correct permissions to access the sound device, perhaps because you need to add your user to the "audio" group. 
<li> If your system does not use [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PulseAudio PulseAudio] or if you choose the (hw) device in Device Toolbar, another audio application, sound server or service is using the sound device. You will need to disable applications or services that are using the device before Audacity can access it, or share the device among applications using [http://jackaudio.org/ JACK].     
<li>If you choose the '''OSS''' host (where available) in Device Toolbar, you must check that /dev/dsp (the OSS device) is present. It may be possible under OSS to share the sound device with another application if you use the wrapper provided by aRts and launch Audacity using:{{code|$ artsdsp audacity}}<br>Note: some users report recording issues when using the aRts wrapper.</ul>

=== Only default or sysdefault devices available ===
If only "default" or "sysdefault" devices are available in Device Toolbar, you can select the required devices in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alsamixer ALSAmixer]. 

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===Mixer Toolbar disabled===

If Audacity's [https://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/mixer_toolbar.html Mixer Toolbar] output and input level sliders are missing their hover tooltips and grayed out on zero volume (or have no audible effect), then Audacity has been built without PortMixer support. You can choose {{menu|Help > About Audacity...}} then the {{menu|Build Information}} tab then the "Features" section to check if PortMixer is disabled. 

To enable Audacity's Mixer Toolbar, you can compile Audacity from [https://web.audacityteam.org/download/source source code] omitting ''--with-portmixer=no'' from your ./configure options (or give no ./ configure options at all). See [[CompilingAudacityForBeginners|Compiling Audacity for Beginners]] for help.   

===Mixer Toolbar input slider grayed out on maximum=== 
If Audacity's Mixer Toolbar input slider is grayed out on maximum volume, this means Audacity cannot control the system input slider for the input device selected in Device Toolbar. Use the system mixer instead to adjust the input volume of the device.

On systems using PulseAudio you can install PulseAudio Volume Control (pavucontrol) from the distribution's repository, then use pavucontrol to choose the input device and control its input volume. On systems without PulseAudio installed, you can use [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alsamixer ALSAmixer]. 


{{CategoryTroubleshooting}}