laptop mic.

I fear that the likely acoustics and limitations of your recording equipment will probably result in poor sound quality, but It is quite possible you can improve this substantially by applying sensitive equalisation, found in the effects menu.

From what I can gather there are some members here that might have the necessary expertise to help you out with that, but if they fail to come forward you could initially try with the existing Audacity presets, and if that doesn’t produce satisfactory results ask for assistance on the Audacity forum in the Audio Processing section: http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewforum.php?f=28

I’m sure somebody there would be willing to help out if you can create a short sample of the recording.

It might just surprise you, Shaky, that the quality of this voice recorder at its highest quality is fantastic.
I have been recording over the years and still have my Ferrograph 4AH reel to reel recorder, the model used extensively by the Beeb for recording. I can say that this 6inch x one inch voice recorder is just as good.
As an update, I have loaded the concert file into audacity and have now been able to shorten it, hopefully to fit on a CD.
Being church music, I doubt it is to your taste but I would willingly sent you a copy.
Just to say again how much I have appreciated all of you for staying with me.
I have not beaten the open mic problem. Hopefully I will download the latest beeta version tomorrow to see if there is a soloution in this version.

regards thoramay.

I've has exactly the same thing happen with Audacity. The method of turning the mic volume down in Windows already described 'should' work so I think you muct have done something wrong like mute the whole system volume. You need to double click the speaker icon and follow the menu until you get to 'recording control'.

Another way is go to 'control panel' from the startup menu, then 'sounds speech and audio devices', and 'adjust the system volume'. That takes you to a menu where you can adjust the microphone volume.

That should ONLY affect sounds entering via the built in mic or the mic socket. If this isn't the case you have done something wrong and need to retrace your steps.

If this isn't the same in Vista, go to Windows Help and search for the following: adjust the volume for multimedia recording devices

As far as editing goes, you need to import the music files into Audacity, rather than use Audacity to record them - is this what you were doing? There shouldn't be any issue with the open mic in that case anyway, as you are not recording sound, you are manipulating sound files by pushing and pulling them about etc.

Topic title changed

Thanks pentaxophile. I was certain there was a solution but not very savvy at delving into my computer bits.
I originally was advised to record to audacity and therein was the problem with the open mic.
I have since discovered that I can open audacity and import the files and then do the adjustments I need.
I have now done this and am fine tuning the cuts, so, thanks to all for their advice and help.
There are occasions when recording from online sources that you do need to record to audacity, so, muting the mic is then necessary.

Regards thoramay.

Spoken like a true digital audio editing whiz kid.

You did have me a bit worried earlier though

Shaky...Only, and only when you are in touching distance of your 80th birthday will you be able to grasp the complexities of old age versus technology.
But!! thanks to the kindness and help I have received on this thread and being pointed in the right direction was I able to get there. and I am real chuffed that I have succeeded.
So!! pat yourselves on the back all you clever manipulaters of technology.

regards Thoramay.

And rightly so too; your tenaciousness would be a credit to any vintage.

Shaky. If you are still with me, can you help.
Have downloaded the beta version on my desktop.
Have attempted to record the onboard sample music. I get the warning

'Error when opening sound device. Please check imput device settings and the project sample rate.'

I am not attempting to alter any settings. I get the feeling that the problem is within audacity. Any ideas'

regards thoramay.

I am not clear what you mean by this; could you elaborate?

To set the device options click Edit->Preferences->Devices.

Host should be set to the default (MME on mine)

Playback=Speakers (with the name of your sound device in brackets)

Recording device then is the specific source you want to use, with 'Stereo mix' the jargon for whatever is playing through your speakers. However, if that for example is a CD it is much better to select CD directly in the device option.

Also worth checking in Preferences is the 'Quality' menu.

My settings there are:

Default Sample Rate: 44100
Sample format 32-bit float

Real-time conversion:
Sample rate converter: Fast Sinc Interpolation
Dither: None

Sample Rate Converter: High quality sinc
Dither: Triangle.

You might also find this article useful: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/40465/htg-explains-what-are-the-differences-betwe...

Thanks for your reply. The computer came with 'sample music' installed. I have played this to attempt to record in audacity rather than try streamed music from the web.
I cannot find the 'stereo mix' using all the on board options. I have downloaded from the Audacity forum ways to overcome my problem but no joy.
They make the point that the computer controls the sound and not audacity. Any issues have to be resolved via the computer and that sometimes this cannot be resolved depending on the sound card. I am probably at that point.
Unless you have any suggestions to find the stereo mix, then I will have to find ways to put music on the hard drive and then import into Audacity. This can be possible.

regards thoramay.

Which program are you using for the playback of the audio clips?

I assume it is something like windows media Player and not Audacity itself!

If that is so try to download the VLC player here: http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

This is very 'lightweight' and shouldn't hijack a bunch of Windows settings.

It is certainly true that Windows settings can significantly complicate the process of Audacity setup, but what you are trying to do should be relatively straightforward.

I’m still not sure what you are functionally trying to achieve, however.

My passion is for american gospel music. I can play this and listen but it would be great if I could record some of this in audacity and mix the tracks.
I am using media player, I was not aware that I could play music in audacity except after an import.
After much trial following audacity's notes, I am left with the conclusion that my motherboard sound card will not support a media mixer.
My support here has audacity recording successfully but through the media mixer. I cannot find this mixer.
Perhaps it is time to accept the limitations or look for an alternative to audacity.
regards thoramay.

But where are you getting this from specifically?

Do you have CDs? Or are you getting it from online sources, in which case please provide specific examples (eg Youtube).

Online sources. If you type in 'Gaither radio' it will take you to a site that is streaming gospel groups.
You can also go to gaither homecoming video's which, on some, stream clips of the various gospel, mountain and bluegrass groups.
I listen to this music on my computer regularly. I am hoping to do a cruise with the Gaither homecoming friends next February.
regards.