Computer doesnt recognize any mics...

[Prog_Bassist]

k, I wanna record some stuff on my computer, and i used to be able to.

All of a sudden, my computer just stopped recognizing any mics that i plug into it.

here's the thing:
It's plugged in the right jack,
No sound anywhere is muted or anything,
All volume levels are fine,

But the computer just doesnt recognize that It has a mic plugged into it. No matter what mic I plug into it.

I'm using Samplitude Studio 7.0 professional. But it's not the program that's doing this either because the comp still doesnt recognize anything when I use a different recording thingy.

I'm puzzled.

Can anyone help me here?

 

[bennychico11]

need a little more info
what mic are you using...what soundcard are you using?

 

[Dracon]

Hey I figured that you looked at the volume Control (window that appears when you double click the speaker on the right of the task bar)?

Did you make sure that you were looking at the recording volume level and not the listening? There is a listening volume for mic, and line-in but there is also a recording volume for mic and line-in and the way to know is because there is a small box at the bottom right that says select (instead of mute).

The way to get to this is open the Volume Control and then select properties from the pull down menu Options-->properties another window will appear and there you will see the ability to select a radio button which says Recording. Once you select that button another window will appear saying Recording Control. Make sure that your mic or line-in (whichever you are plugged into) is checked and that the volume level is what you want it to be.

Hope that helps

 

[Prog_Bassist]

hmm...it still won't work....i did what you said and the RECORDING part of the controls is greyed out. it doesn't seem to recognize any mics.

And for the other question, My soundcard is a soundblaster 16...and my mic at this moment is just a computer mic, but before, I was using a couple of other normal types of mics...but it didn't work anyway.

 

[Dracon]

hmm...it still won't work....i did what you said and the RECORDING part of the controls is greyed out. it doesn't seem to recognize any mics.

Well Prog_Bassist that is your problem. I do not know if you just installed this card, if you have made any changes to your computer or software changes. However, it seems that your soundcard (at least the recording part) is not enabled. There are several things you can try.

I do not know if you are working with Windows 98, ME, 2000, or XP.
However if you are running 2000 or XP go to the control panel and open the Sounds and Audio Devices. In there there will be a tab which says Audio.
Select the Audio tab and you will see three sections Sound playback, Sound recording, and MIDI music playback.
In the Sound recording (just below where it says Default device ensure that your soundblaster 16 is selected for the recording device. If you have something else try clicking ont he little arrow and see what other selections you have.

In addition, you can also (in 2000 or XP) right click on the little computer icon on your desktop or from the startmenu, and select manage.

In there you will see the device manager. Slect the Device Manager and you will see the Sound, video, and game controllers (next to a little speaker). Expand that by selecting the plus sing and see if anything has a yellow or red warning on it. If it does select it and right click to properties (if it allows you to do that) and go through the troubleshoot process to see if its working properly.

However, my best suggestion is for you got to Microsoft on-line and download your updates and see if that fixes the problem or go to the Soundblaster website and see if they have any updated drivers for your card.

Sorry for the long post, but I'm not sure what you have looked at or what your computer knowlege level is.

 

[Prog_Bassist]

hmmm... The sounds and audio devices properties thing doesnt have anything except the one option, and the device manager doesnt have any red things next to anything.

The default device for sound recording is: "Vinyl AC'97 Audio (WAVE)"
And that is the only selection you can pick.

yes Im using winXP.

I remember installing my soundcard, cuz Im listening to music as we speak...and it all recorded and stuff before but then one day it just stopped recording things....

This is weird.

 

[Dracon]

I remember installing my soundcard, cuz Im listening to music as we speak...and it all recorded and stuff before but then one day it just stopped recording things....

This is weird.

It may seem weird, but if you installed any patches from windows or whatever, it may have 'caused issues with your card. I don't know if you tried seeing if XP thinks it's working properly.

I would recommend downloading the new driver for your card from Sound Blaster (http://us.creative.com/support/downloads/) and install them.
I would also go to either the Device manager and right click on the computer and select 'scan for hardware changes'. I know you haven't had hardware changes but this will sometimes fix the issue. It also goes through the troubleshoot wizard that XP comes with, which may also help you narrow the problem down.
The soundcard uses different codecs to record than to playback. If the codes no longer work (because of any updates, or due to new software that was installed) or they got corrupted for some reason (loss power when you were using your computer, someone kicked the power cable or stepped on the surge protector switch) the recording part will not be recognized and will not work.

I'm not familiar with your soundcard (and there are several soundblaster 16 soundcards) and cannot tell you what specifically is wrong with it without further specific input from you.

I am assuming that due to your comment that the
"The default device for sound recording is: 'Vinyl AC'97 Audio (WAVE)
And that is the only selection you can pick." that nothing in that section is greyed out. In the Sound Recording area, do you see a volume button?

If you do select that volume button and a window called
Record Control (like the image I uploaded).
Notice the box with the word Select? The input you are using needs to be selected.

Hope this helped.

 

[traidma]

My advice...

Get a simpler program that equals your knowledge about recording... its better to grow with your software... not grab the best of the market and start growing yourself to reach the software...

Considering that you only use your regular soundcard.. get something like Audacity to start with.. they are easier to set up and anough for recording a track at a time.