Aux connection to PC

Lona · Aug 23, 2011, 20:20:52

I have a sony record deck with Aux cables attached. I can plug it into my TV and get sound but when I plug it into my PC I don't.

I can record it on PC but I would like to be able to listen to the records via my PC speakers.

What am I doing wrong.?

Steve · Aug 23, 2011, 22:12:00

The AUX input supplies an analogue signal to the analogue digital convertor in the sound card so you can record the sound in digital format. Unless the soundcard usually via software can pass the Analogue Audio input to the Audio output of the sound card no sound will be heard from the speakers.

Lance · Aug 23, 2011, 23:47:22

I think there is a tick box somewhere which enables it. I'll try to take a look tomorrow but it might be dependent on the sound driver.

drummer · Aug 24, 2011, 00:26:26

With XP, double-clicking the speaker icon in the bottom right of the Task tray brings up the advanced audio options, as per the attached screen grab from a very old desktop.

Don't know which version of Windows you're using, but that speaker icon is a given in Windows. It could be that one of those boxes has been ticked as the default setting.

If you have a separate soundcard, you'll need to look at the "throughput" options.

Lona · Aug 25, 2011, 17:46:28

I have Vista and I have looked at the sound settings.

Realtek High definition audio is ticked.

sobranie · Aug 25, 2011, 19:03:22

I presume you are plugged in to the sound card at the rear of the computer Lona??

Lance · Aug 25, 2011, 22:05:54

Right click on the standard vista volume control in the system tray, select 'Recording Devices', click on the Microphone and then 'Properties', go to the 'Listen' tab, tick the 'Listen to this device' box and make sure the drop down says 'Default Playback Device'.

Technical Ben · Aug 25, 2011, 23:52:30

One of the problems I met was that I only got the sound while the "recording device" was on. IE I have to record the music while listening to things live.

If you don't have that problem, then ignore my confusion.
Perhaps you could plug the speakers in directly?

Lona · Aug 26, 2011, 01:08:38

Quote from: Lance on Aug 25, 2011, 22:05:54
Right click on the standard vista volume control in the system tray, select 'Recording Devices', click on the Microphone and then 'Properties', go to the 'Listen' tab, tick the 'Listen to this device' box and make sure the drop down says 'Default Playback Device'.

In the recording devices window, I have the Aux ticked. If I click on the microphone properties there is not listen to this device box. I don't have a microphone plugged in when I have the Aux cables connected. Should I plug in a mic.?

drummer · Aug 26, 2011, 01:37:01

What software are you using to record audio from your turntable to your PC?

Lona · Aug 26, 2011, 02:27:52

Quote from: drummer on Aug 26, 2011, 01:37:01
What software are you using to record audio from your turntable to your PC?

Fairstars Recorder

drummer · Aug 27, 2011, 01:44:31

Quote from: Lona on Aug 26, 2011, 02:27:52
Fairstars Recorder

I just installed the latest trial version Fairstars Recorder and can confirm that it's the worst piece of audio software I've ever used. It's less than useless and I'm now uninstalling it as I type.

My only hope is that you didn't pay for this wretched piece of useless software.

Audacity is freeware: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/beta_windows and the version that applies to you is: http://audacity.googlecode.com/files/audacity-win-unicode-1.3.13.exe (direct file download).

Audacity is free, as is all the online help you'll ever need.

I have no connection with either Sourceforge or Audacity if that matters, but I do recommend Audacity because it's a useful piece of kit.

Lona · Aug 27, 2011, 02:53:14

I really like Fairstars as it's easy to use and also to edit.

I have installed Goldwave as I don't like Audacity but still can't get sound with Goldwave.

Technical Ben · Aug 27, 2011, 09:23:03

drummer, I understand your viewpoint, I probably agree too. But the sad fact is, we have to make do at times.
For example, if someone buys a DAIHATSU MOVE 0.8L engine car, they are now stuck with it (and I know many, many, people who have got these). The polite thing to do is help them use what they have, instead of telling them a Toyota, Hyundai or Honda would be a million times better.

I only say this, because my own family make the same mistake with software. Shelling out hundreds of pounds for "clip art" they found on ebay. Paying for something someone scanned in badly from a copywrited book (out of the library most probably) and added to "software" that relates to nothing more than a .net package wrap of a webpage. My first response was like yours, but then of cause, if we hurt peoples feelings and break their trust, they never listen to us.

I've now got a long road ahead to try and get the correct security software, the toolbars off, and advise on what software not to buy.

armadillo · Aug 27, 2011, 16:50:15

Quote from: drummer on Aug 27, 2011, 01:44:31

Audacity is free, as is all the online help you'll ever need.

I have no connection with either Sourceforge or Audacity if that matters, but I do recommend Audacity because it's a useful piece of kit.

I agree with you re Audacity. I have used it for years and I find it excellent, both for recording and for generating sounds and other special effects. I particularly like its "Timer" recording, which they put in a menu called "Transport" for reasons which I suppose only they will ever know.

I wish I could offer help to Lona but I am on XP not Vista. On XP there is a "mute" tick box for each device. Presumably, things are less transparent on Vista. On my PC, I just plug any anologue jack plug into the Line In socket and the sound comes out through the speakers (or rather through the Line Out which I plug into an external amplifier).

armadillo · Aug 27, 2011, 17:08:49

Lona, your sound card is Realtek, yes?
What devices are listed under audio devices?
I think there must be some volume settings for each device on that Realtek card though it's often far from obvious where they bury them.

Does this link help?
http://blog.andrewbeacock.com/2008/07/how-to-enable-line-in-pass-through-with.html

I know that's for XP but it might suggest something to you.

I remember having to mess for a while to get mine to work even on XP.

Would also be worth checking you have up to date drivers
http://www.realtek.com/downloads/downloadsCheck.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=24&PFid=24&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#High%20Definition%20Audio%20Codecs

and Realtek themselves recommend sourcing your Realtek audio driver from your motherboard manufacturer.

But perhaps the existence of this little bit of software
http://www.brothersoft.com/microphone-pass-through-emulator-300991.html

suggests that the feature you want is disabled on Realtek HD Audio by default. There is a free trial though.

Lona · Aug 27, 2011, 19:02:50

I think the problem is that I have the aux cables connected. There is no point connecting a mic as it wouldn't pick up any sound as there is no sound to be heard. The sound card automatically recognises that aux cables are connected. I can record anything off the LP but I can't listen to it while it's recording.

I didn't really want to record my records. I wanted to listen to them.

If I change the sound card to line in it disconnects the aux cables so that doesn't work either.

When I use Goldwave it recognises the aux cables and records OK but still I cannot listen at the same time.

I guess I will just have to record my LPs and burn them to CD

armadillo · Aug 28, 2011, 00:53:07

Quote from: Lona on Aug 27, 2011, 19:02:50
I think the problem is that I have the aux cables connected. There is no point connecting a mic as it wouldn't pick up any sound as there is no sound to be heard. The sound card automatically recognises that aux cables are connected. I can record anything off the LP but I can't listen to it while it's recording.

I think the mic thing is a bit of a red herring. I fully agree that connecting a mic would be pointless. The problem, and the fix, that would apply to mic would also apply to any sound source. It seems likely that a design characteristic of your sound card is that it does not pass through any input sound to the speakers unless it is recording. The software I linked to claims to be a fix for that issue and it would probably work for sources other than mic. Other sound card drivers for the card might also solve the issue. Sound is really quirky and tricky.

Quote
I didn't really want to record my records. I wanted to listen to them.

LOL. I sympathise. The sound card manufacturer has decided nobody would want to do that

I'm listening to an LP on my turntable via my PC as I write this.

Quote
If I change the sound card to line in it disconnects the aux cables so that doesn't work either.

Can the aux cables not plug into the line in instead? Or are they physically different types of connector? So long as you don't plug them into a mic input, I would not expect a difference between aux and line in. In any case, using line in would probably not solve the problem.

Quote
When I use Goldwave it recognises the aux cables and records OK but still I cannot listen at the same time.

Yes, that does seem to be the general problem with the HD audio cards.

BUT - do try another free possible solution.
Two of us have already mentioned Audacity and it might just be the answer for you. Bear with me! Download the Beta 1.3 version from the Audacity site
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/beta_windows

Install it.

Towards the top right of the Audacity window, there is a dropdown menu for your device where you would select Aux.

Along the top there's a menu called "Transport" (silly name!)
In there is an option for Software Playthrough on/off".

I think that ticking that might work for you whether you are recording or not.

If that solves your problem, you need not read the rest of this!

Oh dear. If you need to read this, then that did not do the trick.
You may to play with the options in Edit, Preferences, Devices. There you can fiddle with settings for Interface, Playback and Recording. But Audacity is pretty good at defaulting those to what it thinks will be best.

While, you're on the Audacity download page, find the link under Optional Downloads for the LAME MP3 encoder, click it and follow the instructions to get it from the LAME site. If you need to go to my "last resort" solution, you may need LAME.

Quote
I guess I will just have to record my LPs and burn them to CD

Last resort. Well, if all the above fails, you still don't need to burn CDs. You could just record to MP3 files and play those on your PC. If your Goldwave can't do that, Audacity can but you will need the LAME encoder (see above) unless you already have that from Goldwave.

I'll go back in my basket now. Let us know if any of this works.

armadillo · Aug 28, 2011, 02:01:41

Quote from: armadillo on Aug 28, 2011, 00:53:07

Along the top there's a menu called "Transport" (silly name!)
In there is an option for Software Playthrough on/off".

I think that ticking that might work for you whether you are recording or not.

You may also need to turn "monitoring" on. Under the Input Level Meter, there is a microphone symbol (yeah, we know you're not using a mic!) with a dropdown arrow next to it. Click that and you get to choose to turn monitoring on.

Now I really must get back in my basket again and stay there till morning.

Lona · Aug 28, 2011, 02:16:28

You're a wee genius Armadillo.

Microphone Pass-through Emulator 1.5.1 worked a treat. I can now play my records without recording them.

armadillo · Aug 28, 2011, 11:27:41

Thank you for the nice feedback, Lona. I am really very pleased that solution worked. I would also be interested to know if the Audacity solution (which is free) would work, if you felt like trying it. But Microphone Pass-through Emulator 1.5.1 is very inexpensive and, since it does the job, then excellent value.

It is a right pain how manufacturers decide we don't need a facility any more and withdraw it in later releases, making us jump through hoops to find a way to get it back.

Thanks to you and Drummer for the Karma too

Lona · Aug 28, 2011, 13:24:15

After a bit of fiddling with Audacity I got it to play while also recording.

The microphone pass-through software is a lot more simple to use. I'll only use Audacity when I actually want to record something but for just listening I prefer the microphone pass-through software.

Many thanks again Armadillo for all your help.

armadillo · Aug 28, 2011, 15:44:55

Thanks for the further info, Lona. I suppose the microphone pass-through software has the advantage of being specifically designed to achieve just what you need without additional features. I am always amazed that there are developers who can write such clever stuff. Anyway, I am glad to have helped.