TOMMYDGEE depending on the sound card your computer utilizes, it may have come with its own "mixer application"? Or, it may rely on the built-in Microsoft Windows XP audio mixer? The secret to solving your problems is learning how to manipulate the software mixer interface for the built-in sound card.

Whether the sound card features its own mixer application or not, I will discuss the Windows XP built in audio mixer, since it frequently works in unison/Tandem with the computers "Blaster" type sound cards. To first be able to locate this mixer, you need to go to Windows start button in the lower left-hand corner of the screen. Go up to accessories, then to entertainment, where you will find the mixer application.

Now this mixer that first comes up, is both the playback and the "what you want to hear" monitor mixer. Within this mixer you will notice numerous faders that indicate different sound sources. You will generally see on the left side, your master volume fader, followed by wave (you're recorded tracks playback source) software synthesizer, CD audio, line in, microphone and other possible choices depending on the sound cards features. This is not the only mixer! When looking at the master volume mixer, you'll notice an options drop-down menu in the upper left-hand corner. Drop that menu and you will see "Properties". When you select that, you will notice that it is indicating "playback" along with showing the the volume controls that your sound card has capabilities for, including others that are not selected, for which the sound card may not have any function for. You also notice a recording button. If you select that recording button, you will see a list of other audio sources both similar and different from the master volume playback monitor mixer. It will also indicate possible selections such as "stereo mix" along with your microphone, CD and line input. That particular stereo mix selection allows you the ability to record whatever you can hear in the playback master volume mixer. The coolest feature is that you can actually display, both the playback/monitor mixer and the recording input mixer simultaneously! You do this by simply beginning the process again to open the Microsoft audio mixer. You'll notice that you can open up multiple instances of the mixer. You only want 2 on the desktop to be displayed simultaneously. Since they normally open as playback/monitor mixer, you would open up 2 instances of the playback/monitor mixer. The second one you would utilize the options drop-down menu to select the record/input mixer. Now you'll be looking at 2 mixers that both have different shared functions. You will now be able to choose, which source you want to record in which source you want to hear played.

You're getting cut off before because many programs, when they initialize and load, sometimes take control over certain functions. Being able to manipulate your Windows audio mixer to select input and recording source and playback sources will now allow you to hear exactly what you want, through your stereo system. It will take a little experimenting but I'm sure you are smart enough to catch on quickly.

The manufacturers of some other professional sound cards are of such a proprietary nature that those particular devices may include their own mixer application that is completely independent from the built-in Microsoft Windows mixer. This is particularly true for devices made by Mark Of The Unicorn a.k.a. MOTU, Digi design ProTools and others.

That nasty bitch that talks stupid blah blah
Ms. Remy Ann David

The coolest feature is that you can actually display, both the playback/monitor mixer and the recording input mixer simultaneously

I didn't know that! Not that I get into the Windows mixer very much, but that's a very good tip.
8-)

great info shared already. Take a look at a toneport UX1. It will give you an entry level mic pre to plug your mic into then connect to your computer via USB. Other nice units are the Firepod from Presonus and the Fireface from RME.