[audacity4blind] Re: Recording Skype conversations.
- From: Gale Andrews <gale@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 02 May 2012 20:23:44 +0100
| From "Gene" <gsasner@xxxxxxxxx>
| Wed, 2 May 2012 13:10:35 -0500
| Subject: Recording Skype conversations.
> Yes, Audacity does remember the setting I select, which is sound mapper.
> but I'm discussing the matter, not because I have a problem I want solved
> but rather because it is not appropriate for a program to change sound
> card settings on installation and even less so that it does so with no
> notification to the user that it is doing so.
I don't recall any major overhaul of Device Toolbar for 1.3.9
(it was overhauled for 1.3.13). So it may need digging around
to find why this changed.
What version of Windows are you on? The reason no-one
has even remarked about it before is probably that Windows
Vista and 7 machines typically only have microphone enabled
as shipped (which is the reason people can't find stereo mix
easily).
I agree it's something of an issue for the visually impaired.
Gale
> Gene
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Gale Andrews" <gale@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2012 11:53 AM
> >
> > | From David Bailes <david_bailes@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> > | Wed, 2 May 2012 13:18:48 +0100 (BST)
> > | Subject: Recording Skype conversations.
> >> on my computer running audacity 2 on windows 7, after a
> >> clean install or resetting preferences, then the input and output
> >> devices in audacity are explicitly the default devices, rather than
> >> sound mapper input and output.
> >
> > Hi David,
> >
> > On a Windows 7 laptop recently acquired, and a Windows 7
> > netbook I hardly use, I concur that reset of audacity.cfg
> > initialises to MME host, "Speakers" and "Built -in Mic", not
> > Sound Mapper. On those machines, this behaviour changes
> > with 1.3.9; in earlier versions Audacity initialises to Sound
> > Mapper.
> >
> > I didn't think that was the case with a Windows 7 Desktop
> > I was familiar with that is no longer working, but I could just
> > have misremembered.
> >
> > However both current Windows 7 machines definitely remember
> > whatever output and input devices were selected on a clean
> > exit, so Gene should, on exiting with Sound Mapper-Output and
> > Sound Mapper-Input selected, find those still selected on restart.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Gale
> >
> >
> >
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: Gale Andrews <gale@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >> To: audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >> Cc:
> >> Sent: Tuesday, 1 May 2012, 21:07
> >> Subject: [audacity4blind] Re: Recording Skype conversations.
> >>
> >>
> >> | From "Gene" <gsasner@xxxxxxxxx>
> >> | Tue, 1 May 2012 14:12:26 -0500
> >> | Subject: Recording Skype conversations.
> >> > I was discussing the source selection, not the level settings. If you
> >> > install audacity in the new nonbeta version and don't specify anything
> >> > about what source to use, Audacity will make a selection and if your
> >> > previous selection is not what the Audacity selection is, the source
> >> will
> >> > be changed. The program should do what it used to do. It used to
> >> select
> >> > the Microsoft Sound Mapper and thus, wouldn't change the source
> >> settings
> >> > unless you change them.
> >>
> >> Behaviour has not changed in 2.0.0.
> >>
> >> If you reset Preferences thus:
> >> http://manual.audacityteam.org/help/manual/man/preferences.html#stored
> >>
> >> then Audacity will launch with MME host and Sound Mapper Output and
> >> Sound Mapper Input.
> >>
> >> If you then exit Audacity cleanly with MME host, Sound Mapper Output and
> >> Sound Mapper Input, that is what you should have when you restart
> >> Audacity.
> >>
> >> If that is not happening then might you unintentionally be changing the
> >> input and output device in Device Toolbar? If this is happening, choose
> >> View > Toolbars > Device Toolbar to hide Device Toolbar. You can
> >> still change devices in the Devices Preferences.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Gale
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> > ----- Original Message -----
> >> > From: "Gale Andrews" <gale@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >> > To: <audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >> > Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 12:15 PM
> >> > >
> >> > > | From "Gene" <gsasner@xxxxxxxxx>
> >> > > | Tue, 1 May 2012 06:59:32 -0500
> >> > > | Subject: Recording Skype conversations.
> >> > >> Regarding Audacity selecting a source, as you say, you can select a
> >> > >> source
> >> > >> in audacity but I don't know if the source will be available if it
> >> is
> >> > >> disabled in the sound card settings.
> >> > >
> >> > > Audacity *cannot* see a sound input that is disabled in Windows.
> >> > >
> >> > > And if you don't change the Audacity default of "Microsoft Sound
> >> > > Mapper - Input", Audacity will continue to use the Windows default
> >> > > input device.
> >> > >
> >> > > And on some machines (probably due to sound driver issues), stereo
> >> > > mix won't record unless it is Windows default device.
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > >> Audacity is not designed as it should be regarding
> >> > >> source selection. The first time you run it, it should present a
> >> dialog
> >> > >> both asking which source you want to use and explaining that the
> >> choice
> >> > >> you make in Audacity will change the volume control setting and
> >> thus
> >> > >> change the source for every recording device that uuses that
> >> setting on
> >> > >> the computer.
> >> > >
> >> > > Audacity does not change the volume control setting for each
> >> > > input if you don't change the input level yourself. But if you have
> >> > > each input set at a different level in Windows then the level will
> >> > > of course change when you switch inputs in Audacity.
> >> > >
> >> > > There is a possible Audacity bug that appears on some Windows
> >> > > Vista machines that if you change the input volume in Audacity
> >> > > and then record, the volume is reset to its original level:
> >> > > http://bugzilla.audacityteam.org/show_bug.cgi?id=12 .
> >> > >
> >> > > But almost no-one now seems to report that.
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > >> If you choose Microsoft Sound Mapper, Audacity will honor
> >> > >> whatever setting you have made in the Windows Volume Control itself
> >> and
> >> > >> this should be explained in the dialog.
> >> > >
> >> > > The developers would not accept all the dialogue verbosity you
> >> > > are suggesting. :=)
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > >> If you select something else, then every time you run Audacity, it
> >> will
> >> > >> change the volume control
> >> > >> setting to the Audacity selection you specify, regardless of
> >> whether you
> >> > >> want this to be done. If, for example, you have changed the source
> >> in
> >> > >> the
> >> > >> volume control interface, then the next time you run Audacity, the
> >> > >> source
> >> > >> will be changed in the Windows Volume Control back to the settting
> >> you
> >> > >> specified in Audacity. Of course, you can change the selection in
> >> > >> Audacity
> >> > >> to cyhange the volume control setting but you may want Audacity to
> >> honor
> >> > >> whatever selection you make in the actual volume control interface
> >> and
> >> > >> not
> >> > >> change it. If you let Audacity automatically change the volume
> >> control
> >> > >> setting, you may have problems. I believe that there should be one
> >> way
> >> > >> that you use consistently to set the source and that no programs
> >> should
> >> > >> automatically change this setting.
> >> > >
> >> > > I am unclear if you are talking about changing sources or changing
> >> > > volume level of the same source.
> >> > >
> >> > > The Audacity input and output level sliders should (if it is working
> >> > > correctly) move the Windows input and output sliders for that
> >> device,
> >> > > and the Windows input and output sliders should move the Audacity
> >> > > sliders. Audacity controls the hardware directly. The Audacity and
> >> > > Windows sliders are linked.
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > > Gale
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> > >> From: "David Bailes" <david_bailes@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> >> > >> To: <audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >> > >> Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 3:38 AM
> >> > >> > Hi Gene,
> >> > >> > just to clarify a couple of points.
> >> > >> >
> >> > >> > Gale was suggesting using the listen option, if the sound card
> >> hasn't
> >> > >> got
> >> > >> > hardware playthrough, so that the microphone is included in the
> >> stereo
> >> > >> > mix. In practice, I've found that using the listen option for
> >> this
> >> > >> purpose
> >> > >> > isn't very satisfactory as there's a delay and you hear what you
> >> say a
> >> > >> > little bit after you've said it, and this is very distracting.
> >> > >> >
> >> > >> > Which recording device Audacity uses for recording is set within
> >> > >> Audacity,
> >> > >> > not by setting which recording device is the windows default. The
> >> only
> >> > >> > time that Audacity pays any attention to which device is the
> >> windows
> >> > >> > default is the first time you run audacity.
> >> > >> >
> >> > >> > David.
> >> > >> >
> >> > >> >
> >> > >> >
> >> > >> >
> >> > >> > ----- Original Message -----
> >> > >> > From: Gene <gsasner@xxxxxxxxx>
> >> > >> > To: audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >> > >> > Cc:
> >> > >> > Sent: Monday, 30 April 2012, 14:54
> >> > >> > Subject: [audacity4blind] Re: Recording Skype conversations.
> >> > >> >
> >> > >> > The listen option has no bearing on whether you can record. It
> >> is for
> >> > >> > listening to the input through your computer, like monitor used
> >> to be
> >> > >> for
> >> > >> > tape recorders. It makes no difference whether it is on or off.
> >> What
> >> > >> you
> >> > >> > want to look for in the Windows audio settings is the equivalent
> >> of a
> >> > >> what
> >> > >> > you hear option, which may be called stereo mix or something
> >> else,
> >> > >> sound
> >> > >> > card manufacturers have many names for it. To complicate matters
> >> > >> further,
> >> > >> > many computers are sold with Microsoft sound card drivers that
> >> don't
> >> > >> > support such an option. Installing the driver provided by the
> >> > >> > manufacturer of the sound card may provide such an option. But
> >> some
> >> > >> sound
> >> > >> > cards these days don't provide such an option at all, though some
> >> can
> >> > >> be
> >> > >> > used with older drivers that do. You may be able to use an older
> >> > >> Vista
> >> > >> > driver instead of the manufacturer provided Windows 7 driver.
> >> But if
> >> > >> you
> >> > >> > are going to do any of this sort of thing, that is, change the
> >> sound
> >> > >> > driver, you should have sighted help available or you should have
> >> the
> >> > >> > steps memorized to do a system restore or roll back the driver,
> >> if
> >> > >> that is
> >> > >> > necessary.
> >> > >> >
> >> > >> > The first thing to do is to see if your sound card provides a
> >> what you
> >> > >> > hear option, regardless of what it is called.
> >> > >> > In the system tray, right click the speakers icon.
> >> > >> > Down arrow to recording devices and press enter.
> >> > >> >
> >> > >> > Open the context menu and see if the item named show disabled
> >> devices
> >> > >> is
> >> > >> > checked. If it isn't, press enter on it to check it. The menu
> >> will
> >> > >> close
> >> > >> > and the setting has been changed.
> >> > >> > You are in a list of items you can record with. Choose the
> >> > >> appropriate
> >> > >> > one.
> >> > >> > Open the context menu for that item and press enter on set as
> >> default
> >> > >> or
> >> > >> > similar wording. You have now set what you hear to be used for
> >> > >> recording.
> >> > >> > If you later want to switch to something else such as line-in,
> >> then
> >> > >> find
> >> > >> > line-in in the list I described above, open the context menu, and
> >> set
> >> > >> that
> >> > >> > item as the default device.
> >> > >> >
> >> > >> > I may have left out details such as to activate the ok button or
> >> > >> buttons
> >> > >> > as you back out of the dialogs after making changes.
> >> > >> >
> >> > >> > If your computer does not provide a sound card with a what you
> >> hear
> >> > >> > option, you can purchase a USB sound card that does. But you
> >> should
> >> > >> try
> >> > >> > to be sure the sound card you are purchasing does provide such an
> >> > >> option
> >> > >> > before you purchase it.
> >> > >> >
> >> > >> > Gene
> >> > >> > ----- Original Message -----
> >> > >> > From: "Robbie" <tickleberryfun@xxxxxxxxx>
> >> > >> > To: <audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >> > >> > Sent: Monday, April 30, 2012 1:26 AM
> >> > >> >> Hi gale!
> >> > >> >> I can't manage to record streams or other stuff coming over the
> >> > >> >> speakers.
> >> > >> >> I selected Microsoft Soundmapper as input device, microphone
> >> being
> >> > >> the
> >> > >> >> only other option. However I'm recording only silence. Got any
> >> > >> advice?
> >> > >> >>
> >> > >> >> Thanks, Robbie
> >> > >> >>
> >> > >> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> > >> >> From: audacity4blind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >> > >> >> [mailto:audacity4blind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Gale
> >> > >> Andrews
> >> > >> >> Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2012 10:50 PM
> >> > >> >> To: audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >> > >> >> Subject: [audacity4blind] Re: Recording Skype conversations.
> >> > >> >>
> >> > >> >>
> >> > >> >> | From sandra gayer <sandragayer7@xxxxxxxxx> Sun, 29 Apr 2012
> >> > >> 21:34:49
> >> > >> >> | +0100
> >> > >> >> | Subject: Recording Skype conversations.
> >> > >> >>> Thank you very much for the information Gale. When you say you
> >> have
> >> > >> to
> >> > >> >>> unmute the microphone playback, do you mean you have to do that
> >> > >> >>> physically from the perspective of the external soundcard? That
> >> > >> would
> >> > >> >>> be easiest. Where do you find "listen to this device". In the
> >> > >> control
> >> > >> >>> panel?
> >> > >> >>
> >> > >> >> "Listen" only exists on Vista/7. Open "Sound" in the Windows
> >> Control
> >> > >> >> Panel, choose the "Recording" tab, select the headset or
> >> microphone
> >> > >> and
> >> > >> >> choose "Properties" then choose the "Listen"
> >> > >> >> tab. It's software playthrough, so might create too many echoes.
> >> > >> >>
> >> > >> >> If you had a way to unmute the microphone hardware, that would
> >> be on
> >> > >> the
> >> > >> >> "Playback" tab, select the headset or mic, choose "Properties"
> >> then
> >> > >> the
> >> > >> >> "Levels" tab. But most Vista/7 machines do not have this.
> >> > >> >>
> >> > >> >>
> >> > >> >>
> >> > >> >> Gale
> >> > >> >>
> >> > >> >>
> >> > >> >>> On 4/29/12, Gale Andrews <gale@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >> > >> >>> >
> >> > >> >>> > | From sandra gayer <sandragayer7@xxxxxxxxx> Sun, 29 Apr 2012
> >> > >> >>> > | 13:18:01 +0100
> >> > >> >>> > | Subject: [audacity4blind] Recording Skype conversations.
> >> > >> >>> >> I read somewhere that Audacity could be used to record Skype
> >> > >> >>> >> conversations. Is this correct? If so how? Does it depend on
> >> the
> >> > >> >>> >> conversation being rooted through the computer's internal
> >> sound
> >> > >> >>> card?
> >> > >> >>> >> Is it possible to record both ends of a Skype conversation
> >> if
> >> > >> they
> >> > >> >>> >> are being rooted through an external soundcard and external
> >> > >> >> microphone?
> >> > >> >>> >
> >> > >> >>> > Yes you have to unmute the microphone playback (or use
> >> "Listen to
> >> > >> >>> > this device" on Windows Vista/7) then record stereo mix in
> >> > >> Audacity.
> >> > >> >>> > You must use headphones or a headset. A USB headset usually
> >> won't
> >> > >> >>> > work on Windows XP or earlier because there is no way to
> >> unmute
> >> > >> its
> >> > >> >>> > playback.
> >> > >> >>> >
> >> > >> >>> > Instead of Audacity, it is usually better to use something
> >> like:
> >> > >> >>> > http://voipcallrecording.com/ .
> >> > >> >>> >
> >> > >> >>> >
> >> > >> >>> >
> >> > >> >>> >
> >> > >> >>> > Gale
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