What exactly are you trying to do? What function does this "stereo mix" serve? Are you talking about the stereo mix option in the recording panel/output/input of windows mixer?

Yes, exactly! I am trying to broadcast and need that function to do so properly. I tried using Virtual Cable but it doesn't work well.

Broadcasting wirelessly to a reciever or from line out?

Sorry, I should have said webcasting, playing music over the net.

mikehende wrote: My new Dell laptop comes with Vista and does not have a "stereo Mix" function, my external Creative Soundblaster MP3+ soundcard also does not have this option, how can I get this stereo mix funtion please,? I would prefer a software option but if not, then hardware, help?

Why do you have an external usb soundcard trying to webcast from an internal source?

I think there may just be a loose nut on the keyboard?

The external soundcard does not really have anything to do with the webcast, just that I am being told that some external soundcards have the stereo mix functionality so I am asking around to find out if anyone has a soundcard with this feature or if there is a software option?

A "Stereo Mix" is generally thought of as a reduction mix down to stereo from many tracks in a multitrack recording.

I think nobody knows what you really mean by "Stereo Mix"?

All soundcards will do stereo. Are you trying to, say, crossfade two signals...or bring in a voice over the music at points? Is this what you mean? Are you trying to mix two separate stereo signals into one stereo mix?

Please elaborate, because I think nobody knows for sure.

Kapt.Krunch

I am trying to do webcasting but need the windows mixer stereo mix function to do this, unfortunately Dell and Microsoft have disabled the stereo mix function in new pc's and laptops running Vista so I and many more people are looking into ways to get the stereo mix option, hope this clears it up.

Mike -

This is turning into a 3-ring circus of a dog chasing its tail.

Simply telling us over and over that you need stereo mix function for web-casting doesn't help us understand at all what you need.

First of all, web casting should not use your sound card at all, nor should it utilize the Windows mixer. If you have a stereo recording, and you set it to be the broadcast, you are now web-casting in stereo. It's that simple.

Are you trying to web-cast live? Direct streaming? If so, and you're only attempting to do so using your built-in soundcard and Windows mixer, you should still be able to accomplish a stereo broadcast, but I would imagine you'd be subject to serious dropouts and likely some other glitches.

Please explain your entire process. What are you trying to accomplish? What software and hardware are you attempting to use? Is this live/streaming or is it save for broadcast? Where are you getting your information that you need "stereo mix" function?

I am trying to use this software for webcasting

http://www.ustream.tv/get-started

All this involves is enabling the windows stereo mix function, I am sorry I don't know how else to explain it? Anyway, the audio webcast is working on my XP machine but because I don't have the stereo mix on my vistal laptop, even with the help of the Virtual cable I am experiencing audio glitches so I absolutely do need the stereo mix function or something similar to webcast without any problems.

AYE-YAI-AI!

OK, first of all, it seems you are maybe trying to push WAV file formats through the Internet? (Check out "Virtual Cable", for those of you who still may be curious about this thread). Even Hi-Speed doesn't really like large WAV streaming. You'll get hiccups. You'll have to figure out a way to send a smaller format conversion through to stream properly.

Since their web site is absolutely devoid of any relevant info, it's hard to know what they want, or even how you came to the conclusion that you need something like a "Stereo Mix Function", whatever that is.

Does that site do MP3 or RealAudio, or some other compressed sound streaming? Are you trying to push something through "real time", or is it files made beforehand?

You need to check all that out, figure out what you really need, and be more specific. We're trying to help, but that site is virtually useless, and you seem to not understand enough to zero in on the subject. You're going to have to do some of the footwork yourself, and try to understand exactly what it is you are having trouble with.

Obviously, "Windows Stereo Mix Function" means basically nothing to any of us, and some of these folks probably know a lot more than I do. If it is confusing people who work with this stuff all the time, then it stands to reason that you are not giving enough relevant info to properly help you.

BTW, you may check t see whatever input/outputs you are trying to go through in Vista is enabled in the Control Panel. I know my little Taskbar Speaker Icon mixer submenu on this Internet-only computer only has "Speakers" and "Windows Sounds" faders. I have only speakers connected. All the other inputs are not enabled, and have nothing plugged in. I have a hunch your question may have something to do with this, somehow.

That's all I can offer, because we are all in a position of basically guessing at what you are trying to get across. After you have done some research, please post back with some more pointed questions, and anyone will be glad to try to help.

Good luck,

Kapt.Krunch

I have yet to locate the words stereo mix function on the website in question.

I have, however, located info that may be of some use?

It reads like you must be logged into your Ustream account BEFORE you begin anything.

http://www.ustream.tv/helpcenter/broadcastvideo#id2
Configuring Sound

3. Select the audio device from the Audio Sources drop down menu. If you have a mic plugged into the input on your computer or laptop then select "Built-in Input". If you want to use the embedded webcam mic then select "Built-in Microphone". If you want to use the audio from a DV camera then you need to connect it to your laptop via a cable connection (i.e. XLR to 1/8" jack or 1/8" jack to 1/8" jack) and then select "Built-in Input".

I'm just here for the beer boss.

First of all, I'm new to this forum.
Secondly, I'm glad that I found this forum as I also need some information or sharing of experience in solving problems related to audio, recording, and broadcasting.

Now, about what mikehende has been talking about, the "stereo mix" or "wave out" option:
1. It is true that in order that you can broadcast/webcast your sound file or video file through live streaming, you really need this "stereo mix" or "wave out" option to be enabled or activated on your sound card.
2. Why is it so? I don't know how to explain it from an expert point of view but according to my (and friends') experience, that's the only way to do it.
3. I have several computers with Windows XP on them, some with on-board sound cards, some with plug-in sound cards, and Windows XP can enable this option ("stereo mix" or "wave out") through the Volume Control--Options--Properties--Recording.
Windows Vista, or at least Vista Home Premium installed on certain new laptops (and certain series) such as Sony, Dell, HP/Compaq, does not have an option to change the setting to enable this "stereo mix" or "wave out". Therefore, Mike, and I or others who usually have no problems streaming with Windows XP, now are having this problem with Vista.

If anyone could help Mike, and it means me and some other users too :D , it would be highly appreciated. Perhaps there are some hidden tricks with Vista on how to change the volume control or sound setting?

Thanks so much.

I noticed your discussion on "stereo mixer" problems, perhaps I can help. If you are desiring to ustream then visit the ustream message board or email support@ustream.tv.
Or even better, visit the Ustream Users Community Forum on Tuesdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. central for live discussion and help with your problem, it shouldn't be hard to straighten out..

To hell with that...I for one would like to see this too its conclusion.

If I'm going to be able to fix this thing in the future, I want to know what it is so if it every comes back up again.

That is a verbatim quote from my first wife, btw.

I think the easiest way to look at Mike's problem is... he's simply wants to do audio capture and then utilize upstream to webcast what he hears (for example a song in iTunes) and webcasting it over the net (so other users can hear what he heard), but the problem is he's stuck at audio capturing with stereo mix. All he's wanting to do is the capture the audio that is played through his sound card that comes out of his speakers. Then he just went on to say (or so it sounds like from what I'm reading) that he is doing it this way so he can webcast it back through to the net using upstream.

Mike... the problem you are having is a known issue and cannot be resolved (regarding enabling stereo mix which was your original dilemma that you were talking about on the board). Dell is aware of all the pissed off (and rightly so) consumers, and has been "man enough" -- so to speak -- to at least admit it. Microsoft, however, has not been so gracious as implementing honesty as their best policy. OEM contracts have caused the functionality of stereo mixing on your sound card to be disabled. Unfortunately you are pretty much out of look and are going to have to figure out some other way of doing it.

For the guys that can actually help out Mike with explaining what kind of hardware he needs... Mike correct me if I'm wrong... he sounds like he is just needing some kind of hardware that will allow him to record music that he hears come out of his speakers with quality in tact. Everything else he can DO himself. It sounds like there isn't any kind of problem with upstreaming, it's the actual capturing of the audio that he is wanting to record so he CAN use upstream to webcast it.

Mike, if that's not what you are talking about doing well then ::shrug:: but at least you know now that the stereo mix issue can't be resolved and you can put it to rest.

stereo mix

ok i have a similiar problem,

i was told that i can record any sound that is coming out of my computer using sound recorder just like you see in this video

: what i am trying to do is take the sound from a video and record it into wav format, from there i know how to do what i want with it

my problem is that when i go in my volume controls i goto options- then properties and when i select recording and i am only able to pick from line in and microphone. now i tried switching my mixer device but i am only able to use sigma tel audio. what i want to know is how can i get the choice of stereo mix..

thankyou everyone and if you dont understand watch the video its exactly what i am trying to do.

Grove, if you right click in your Sound mixer under the Recording Devices tab, and "Show Disabled Devices" is checked, and you still are unable to see Stereo Mixer, then you are one of the unfortunate customers that bought a computer from a manufacturer (Dell, HP, etc) that has made an agreement with the RIAA to have Stereo Mix disabled due to potential copyright issues that may occur with the feature being enabled. E.g. Recording/Capturing copyrighted material via your sound card using stereo mix.

The only other problem it could be is that you have a very old sound card that did not provide this option to begin with. Most likely, your problem is the OEM agreement with RIAA.

thanks artist john.

i just got this dell inspiron as an unexpected gift for christmas, now it seems it does have the stereo mix disabled and i cant seem to find any way to enable it.... is there anything i can do, download, or buy to fix this problem?

Unfortunately, no Grove. There's an apparent class action suit regarding this issue against Dell and a proposed one against another manufacturer about this issue -- since Dell conveniently failed to give notice to customers that basic functionalities of their sound cards may be disabled. They didn't own up to it until much much later, and even then it wasn't a complete disclosure of the agreement.

It's an RIAA situation with OEMs. Only a few have gotten aboard about the RIAA agreement but not all.

My suggestion... Don't buy a Dell again. I never will.

Ari

Grove... sorry, but I said one thing wrong. No, there's nothing you can do about your sound card, BUT to achieve the same effect, yes there is something you can buy.

Essentially you can just run a stereo 1/8" cable from your speaker out port into your line-in port, and then choose line-in port as the source for recording in your recording program.

Most likely if your sound card is multichannel the functionality of that is also disabled, so you may not be able to hear anything when you record something this way.

aristjohn wrote: Grove... sorry, but I said one thing wrong. No, there's nothing you can do about your sound card, BUT to achieve the same effect, yes there is something you can buy.

Essentially you can just run a stereo 1/8" cable from your speaker out port into your line-in port, and then choose line-in port as the source for recording in your recording program.

Most likely if your sound card is multichannel the functionality of that is also disabled, so you may not be able to hear anything when you record something this way.

You have lost yer mind boss!!!

You do not run cables out of low quality sound cards and then run the sandwich right back into it. Where the heck are you getting this information? Have you tried it AJ? Try it, you try it and then explain to this guy what happens when you do something so basically dense.

Run a 1/8 inch cable, my butt, where do these ideas come from? Is there a book summers that I missed?

Actually I do exactly that, and it works just fine for me. I run it straight through my sound system and into my line-in port. Use my software to capture the audio I need for broadcasting.

No problems whatsoever.

But, Grove, with what he said... perhaps you should try that venture at your own risk ::shrug::

Every comp and hardware is different I suppose, but that's how I capture and mix all my audio at CD quality. Like I said, I haven't had any problems with it whatsoever, but you may.

*AJ*

aristjohn wrote: Actually I do exactly that, and it works just fine for me. I run it straight through my sound system and into my line-in port.

Straight through what sound system? This is different then what you recommended above is it not?

Well since Dell laptops do not have out ports for the exception of the XPS, he would have to use a stereo system. My assumption was that someone would know their laptop doesn't have an out port. I guess that's my bad. Sorry, Grove for the assumption.

Any type of speaker system will do, you can grab one for $20 at Radio Shack to do what you are wanting which is capture audio. Hook the cable up to the out port and the other into your line-in on your laptop. Set your line-in in the Record control menu, and you're good to go. Remember, you most likely will not hear what you are recording.

Ok, we're still on topic, wide and to the outside, but still on it.

If Dell doesn't provide out ports for this particular notebook tell me again what this "sound system" thing is achieving?

One line you say "My assumption was that someone would know their laptop doesn't have an out port" few lines later "Hook the cable up to the out port..."

I'm a non-practicing alcoholic AJ, but I'm thinking about running a few laps here if we cannot get this thing to make sense :)

Are you suggesting that he take a line out from his stereo into his laptop so he can take sounds from a CD or iPod and put them on his computer?

That's what it sounds like you're saying to me.

Also, I'm not familiar with this class action law suit. Do you have a link to some documentation on this?

Aw man...your genius J!

A line out from a stereo...why didn't I think of that?

I'm still not convinced this is the scope of his idea but I think I can sleep tonight, so thanks for that.

Space wrote: Aw man...your genius J!

Aw...thanks dude! Can I use that as my new signature?? :wink:

Ok, well wow... Apparently I'm full of assumptions tonight. When I said:

aristjohn wrote: Any type of speaker system will do, you can grab one for $20 at Radio Shack to do what you are wanting which is capture audio. Hook the cable up to the out port and the other into your line-in on your laptop.

The later sentence followed after the first sentence of using a speaker system, I assumed, he would get that. Perhaps you're just toying with me, who knows. But, whatever :)

Anyways... step by step here:

Get a speaker system. An inexpensive one will do. $20 at Radio Shack

Get a 1/8" speaker cable.

Plug said speaker cable into the outport of SPEAKER SYSTEM.

Plug other end of said speaker cable into the in-line port of LAPTOP.

Go to Recording Menu on Windows ensure it is set to line-in (Grove, probably this is the only thing you ARE seeing since it is a Dell. Dell really screwed their customers with the sound card issue).

Record what you are trying to capture with whatever software. Cakewalk, Audacity, Record Now, CapTalk, doesn't matter... whatever it is. IF it is Audacity it should most likely either be grayed out or defaulted to line-in as the only option available to you. It'll assume the role as a mic, but you are using the out port on the speaker system to help aid in the capture of the audio. So don't worry about it, you won't have to do anything that's just the way Audacity picks it up when you're telling it to record. But, I believe you are saying your going to use Record Now, and that's a very very simple program and you won't have to do anything except check to ensure that Record Menu in Windows is in fact set for line-in which I'm 99.9% with a repetend bar positive that it is.

Now, seriously.. for the exception of pointing out that I assumed that someone (outside of the ones who don't know where the power button is on their computer) would know pretty darn quickly they don't have an out port on a Dell, seriously Space, I didn't think I had made it into this big huge deal and all complicated. ::shrug:: Sorry!

Apologies on any confusion, guys!

Good luck to you, Grove! Hate to see a fellow Dell user (and hopefully former Dell buyer) go through this. This is nasty situation for all Dell, HP, Gateway (?) customers, and a double whammy for musicians and even hardcore online broadcasters who mix.

It's convoluted that is why you had to read me the script on it.

It reads like just plugging a 1/8 inch plug into the line in would be enough to set this chain of events into play with no need for the speakers. The speakers don't actually play right?

It's just inside out to me...and I have had my mind around some fairly cosmic scenarios.

???

Yet another reason I build my own boxes!

Cucco wrote: Are you suggesting that he take a line out from his stereo into his laptop so he can take sounds from a CD or iPod and put them on his computer?

That's what it sounds like you're saying to me.

Also, I'm not familiar with this class action law suit. Do you have a link to some documentation on this?

I didn't read anything about an iPod or CD from Grove. I might have missed something in the middle of trying to get everything all straightened with the confusion I caused Space.

Throw out iPod, CD, all that. Take it out of your mind. That's not what Grove is talking about.

What Grove is trying to do is record audio that he is hearing (most likely) from the internet.

E.g. You're watching CNN News online. You click on a video, and you can SEE and HEAR the video. You decide that you want to record what you are hearing from the video, like you would use a VHS tape to record what you are seeing on your television screen. He takes whatever software program he is using to record the audio with, and he is SUPPOSED to be able to select stereo mix in Windows and it will record what you are hearing from your speakers while watching the hypothetical video on the net.

That's all this is. Click. Record. That's it.

Because Dell and other manufacturers have disabled this feature, stereo mix cannot be used. You have to have: a computer, an 1/8" cable, and a speaker system. Then you follow what I said in my prior post and it does the exact same thing the stereo mix does. Records whatever is coming out of your speakers.

All the cable is doing is allowing the speakers to mimic the stereo mix feature on the sound card. That's all it does, and that's all it will do, and it'll provide the same quality as the stereo mix feature on the sound card that is disabled on your system. E.g. Dell

As for the lawsuit... that's why I said "apparent." I haven't seen any reference to it on the internet, except for the chatter from forums and word of mouth from other music buddies that got wind about it being a class action suit. Dell has one class action suit against them already for false advertisement of computer systems; and I believe that is 2 or 3 years old and it's on-going. You can find that lawsuit info at http://www.consumeraffairs.com

But this issue isn't what that lawsuit is about, and as of yet I have not found any news source talking about it, but some forums are chatting about it. If you google around about the issue and come across the forums, you'll see it referenced at least once or twice per forum. The apparent/supposed/whatever suit regarding this is based on bad business practices by not informing customers of the RIAA agreement which directly effects consumer purchases. That's my understanding of it.

For a musician, I can understand the importance of it, because serious musicians have a tendency to buy atleast one system SOLELY for their work (outside their personal comps). If you have a sound card that can't even do the basic functions for the exception of transferring audio to the speakers and recording from an external mic, then that's a problem. And I completely understand if someone took the battle to Dell on that. Don't blame them one bit at all! Sure, there's a HUGE copyright issue more now than ever before, but if you're going to build a comp a customer bought, but disable some of the features on the hardware the customer picked for their comp, that's a big big problem. And I hope Dell gets socked for it. You want to disable stuff, disable it, but tell the customer so they have the right to say Yay or nay on buying the system at all. Other wise it sounds like a bad sell in my opinion.

Space wrote: It's convoluted that is why you had to read me the script on it.

It reads like just plugging a 1/8 inch plug into the line in would be enough to set this chain of events into play with no need for the speakers. The speakers don't actually play right?

It's just inside out to me...and I have had my mind around some fairly cosmic scenarios.

When the cable is plugged in, you won't be able to hear sound come out of the speakers. Because it is being filtered back into the line-in port, which allows the cable to act as a stereo mix; hence Grove/you/me/anybody, has whatever it is they were trying to capture to begin with via the sound card.

bent wrote: ???

Yet another reason I build my own boxes!

Amen, Bent.

The question that started this thread reads:

mickhende wrote: "My new Dell laptop comes with Vista and does not have a "stereo Mix" function, my external Creative Soundblaster MP3+ soundcard also does not have this option, how can I get this stereo mix funtion please,? I would prefer a software option but if not, then hardware, help?"

So what you are saying, AJ, is the answer for this concern, is that the way you are reading it?

I don't have a Dell nor have I every had a store bought computer. Pieces and parts, like that chicken commercial, I put my boxes together, I think everyone should.

It is still a haphazard though none the less effective solution for this issue, if it does do what you say it does.

The trick, if this is of any effect a'tall, seems to be to trip the plug. I'm still not biting on the external speakers.

But if this answers the question of "how to get a stereo mix" and can be replicated, who am I to stand in the way of progress?

Space wrote: The question that started this thread reads:
[quote=mickhende]"My new Dell laptop comes with Vista and does not have a "stereo Mix" function, my external Creative Soundblaster MP3+ soundcard also does not have this option, how can I get this stereo mix funtion please,? I would prefer a software option but if not, then hardware, help?"

So what you are saying, AJ, is the answer for this concern, is that the way you are reading it?

I don't have a Dell nor have I every had a store bought computer. Pieces and parts, like that chicken commercial, I put my boxes together, I think everyone should.

It is still a haphazard though none the less effective solution for this issue, if it does do what you say it does.

The trick, if this is of any effect a'tall, seems to be to trip the plug. I'm still not biting on the external speakers.

But if this answers the question of "how to get a stereo mix" and can be replicated, who am I to stand in the way of progress?

I posted a few days ago regarding Mike's question and stated that he should move past trying to use the stereo mix because it is NOT going to work no matter WHAT he tries to do to bypass by way of his computer alone (of course, you are now saying differently -- IDK, try it guys!). I then said something to the effect of... that now that he knows that, listen to the other guys on the thread about finding what hardware he can use in place of stereo mix, because I noticed that he was preferring to try some type of software. Software WILL NOT resolve this issue, trust me, many have tried (including myself) and have just gotten further pissed off because it doesn't resolve the issue. The OEMs had thought about stopping that too. The silly blokes.

What I've been talking about for the past... oh, I don't know, what... 6 or so ridiculous hours now (5 1/2 more than I should have wasted -- I can only blame myself for that) was directed towards Grove's question. Grove... ::shrug:: legit question.. g/l to you, man!

Anyways...

Mike, Grove, whoever else -- I don't even care anymore -- you heard from Space himself. Try "tripping the plug."

Your idea, I couldn't focus...sorry. really, I'm embarrassed. You helped much, appreciate your time AJ.

OK...I admit I was totally confused by his initial request. Lemme see if I have this straight. I had no idea what Stereo Mix meant in that context...never heard it used that way.

"Stereo Mix" is a lot like "What-U-Hear" in a Soundblaster?

He wants to capture sound from online, or from another input source, but he can't hear it while it's being recorded?

He has a Dell computer (laptop?) with limited functionality?

Is this right?

He needs, probably, an inexpensive USB Digital Audio I/O, preferably with some software bundled...even if it's "Lite"?

Is this the correct assumption?

Kapt.Krunch

I feel for ya mike. Hi I am Dawn and I have the same problem with the wave/stereo mix issues. Just got a new laptop (with Vista) and a Soundblaster X-fi Xtreme Audio notebook external soundcard. I love to sing karoake on paltalk, and have a lot of cdg's on my computer that no one can hear the music to. I am presently in the process of having someone remotely connect with me trying to solve the problem. If I come up with a solution, or you do, (lol), email me PLEASE!!! 8[]