Can't isolate line audio from mic input; audio driver not showing.


  1. Posts : 6
    Windows 10 64 bit
       #1

    Can't isolate line audio from mic input; audio driver not showing.


    I'm new to Win 10. I want to use Audacity to record streaming audio. My new (used) Toshiba Satellite laptop came with a Conexant Smart Audio HD driver, also new to me. I find that I can't mute the mic without muting all audio input to Audacity. I've tried installing Realtek HD which I've used before, but it fails to show up in Device Manager or in Recording Devices. Volume Mixer shows no Mic channel, but it's audibly present in the audio stream in Audacity.

    I might not have the correct Audacity settings either, but I'm confused. How should I set up my audio device?

    Can't isolate line audio from mic input; audio driver not showing.-audacity-1.png

    Can't isolate line audio from mic input; audio driver not showing.-audacity-2.png

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]158619
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Can't isolate line audio from mic input; audio driver not showing.-volume-mixer.png  
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  2. Posts : 1,307
    Windows 10
       #2

    Not sure why you would want to Mute a Mic but here goes :
    1 - Right click task-bar audio icon near clock (Bottom Right)
    2 - Choose "Recording devices"
    3 - In the appearing window you can right click the Mic then Disable it (Same effect as Mute) .
    4 - Or you can highlight the Mic in same window then click Properties (Button Down Right) > Levels (Tab Up) > Click the "Speaker" button next to Mic volume slider to Mute it .

    P.S Note that "Line in" might not show in "Recording devices" not until you plug it in , and if the whole idea was to use it then you do not need to Mute the Mic , but rather right clicking it and choosing "Set As Default Device"
    Last edited by nIGHTmAYOR; 17 Oct 2017 at 19:52.
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  3. Posts : 6
    Windows 10 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Unfortunately this doesn't work. I want to record streaming online audio but the mic is on, mixing in ambient sound which I don't want. Muting the mic in 'Recording Devices' also mutes the streaming audio. I need to turn the mic off.

    I've tried uninstalling the audio driver and installing Realtek but Realtek fails to appear in 'Recording Devices' or even in Device Manager.
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  4. Posts : 1,307
    Windows 10
       #4

    Actually this is a pure Audacity question unrelated to the forum , but you are lucky I've encountered your hassle and know a little about it . For a start almost 99% of laptops do not come with a audio driver supporting "Stereo Mixer" which is a virtual device allowing for play back of "Loop-back Audio" (What you call an audio stream out) which affected in return loop-back audio recording (The possibility to capture audio stream in / played audio) .

    The reasons behind that is unknown , some say its pure laziness by manufacturers , some say it was a demand by recording companies highly affected by internet audio piracy & some had few conspiracy theories about it .

    Basically there are few solutions out there of these are Audacity (You brought up) where you can use to record a stream by switching from "Windows Direct Sound" to "Windows WASA" then choosing "Speakers" as an input source instead of "Primary Audio Device" .

    Playback of mixed streams (Mic/Line Input + Loop-back Audio) however is still highly crippled , either achieved by modified sound drivers by audio geeks or 3rd party programs like Virtual Audio Cable which is very annoying to setup and few others .

    P.S You can check to see if your laptop is of the 1% that legitimately supports audio "Stereo Mixer" by following this guide .
    Last edited by nIGHTmAYOR; 18 Oct 2017 at 06:02.
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  5. Posts : 6
    Windows 10 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Almost perfect...


    Excellent reply. I set Audacity as you suggest and it works. To my perfectionist mind, there's one flaw: with all volumes to max, the recording level is rather low, as the attached snip shows. Any ideas how to increase it? My previous Win 7 laptop allowed far more level than this, using a Realtek driver.

    Can't isolate line audio from mic input; audio driver not showing.-audacity-meter.png
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  6. Posts : 1,307
    Windows 10
       #6

    Conexant Smart Audio is known to have lower voice output compared to Realtek , however most manufacturers who adopt it lately add branded speaker controllers (Such as Dolby , JBL etc) that appear in control panel , they often have equalizer and add up features that can improve volume and quality in general .
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 6
    Windows 10 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    I didn't know that...


    Mine has something called Smart Audio which as the snip shows is up to max. Are there free add-ons to boost audio level?

    Can't isolate line audio from mic input; audio driver not showing.-smart-audio.png
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  8. Posts : 1,307
    Windows 10
       #8

    That's what you get by default but there should be an additional controller in control panel for speakers judging your laptop comes with a non economical one (Should be printed on laptop itself if they were) .

    Mine has a controller called Dolby Digital Plus Home Theater . But you need to add your laptop model number and specs to the post in case someone knows or have came across it , also i suggest consulting Toshiba's forum on how to raise volume , they should know better .
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 6
    Windows 10 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Okay, thanks, I'll investigate.
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