Windows Mixer Vista

Taming The Vista Audio Interface

Drew's VISTA Window's Mixer -
Controlling Your Sound Card Tutorial How to access and control Windows NEW VISTA audio control interface with your sound card and get the most out of all your computer's sound capabilities fast.

Vista is different, very different and while it does most of the same things that you could do in XP and 98, because of security issues it's just a little harder to get there.

But don't worry, I've got some shortcuts to help you along the way. Like the blocking picture bar you have to press in Outlook Express to see pictures or the extra security you go through to get to your gate at the airport, you do have to jump a few hoops to use the audio system in Vista. The two main things you'll find are that:

1. You have to go to Sounds and Audio Devices to change your input recording source. You can't just change your source in a recording program any more. You really do have to go and change it in Sounds and Audio Devices.

To choose what you want to record, with Vista, you have to come to the Sounds and Audio Devices to change your inputs. Then launch the Editor or Click the Refresh Info Button and it will record what you have set here. You can Right Click on your choice as shown in Arrow 1, or just Left Click your choice then Click Set Default as shown in
Arrow 2.

2. You can't access many of the Windows Mixer features any more from the speaker icon near your system clock. You now have to go to Sounds and Audio Devices. But, I'll show you how to shortcut that too.

I'll show you how to set a desktop shortcut to do it fast.

OK, so why is this so important? Your sound card interfaces with your computer and with your music through the Windows mixer interface. It's very important that you know where to access this control so you can unmute inputs, control which input is set for recording and a whole lot more. Look what you can do:

Control System Volume.

Turn On or Off any of your computer inputs like LINE IN, MIC or INTERNET RECORDING.

Select between multiple sound cards.

Boost your microphone input.

Select desktop stereo or 5.1 or 7.1 Theatre Surround speaker scheme
.
Much more.

WHY IS YOUR SOUND CARD DIFFERENT?
Please READ THIS

Your sound card will have different names and sliders from what I've shown here. That's NOT A PROBLEM. I'm using an inexpensive Soundblaster Audigy 4 sound card. All the names and settings you see here and in the pictures of the DAK Wave Editor throughout my tutorials and reviews are the names Soundblaster uses, not something I've dreamed up.

You see, neither DAK's programs or your computer or my computer choose names like What You Hear, Stereo Mix or Wave out. It's the sound card in your computer that does. Then your Windows Mixer and DAK's programs simply poll your sound card and display the names your sound card uses. OK that said, now you can explore this tutorial knowing that your sound card will be virtually the same with just some slightly different names.

Some of the more common controls like system volume are right in your system tray all the time. Others are buried in the control panel or the mixer properties screens.
No problem. Look through this new Windows Mixer Tutorial and you'll know how to access and control all the elements of your Windows sound control.

Quick Index
Major Tutorial Sections

How do I unmute my Line In?
How do I find out my sound card's name?
How to I see what recording options I have?
How do I boost my microphone input?
How to I check to see if I am muted during record?

TWO MAJOR MIXER AREAS

SOUNDS AND AUDIO DEVICES - This is the main heart of the Windows Mixer Interface. You set which input you want to record, properties settings and more here.
How Do I Get To Sounds And Audio Devices?

SPEAKER SETTING SLIDERS - You control the volume of each of your devices and even Windows sounds here.

Accessing Your Vista Windows Mixer VOLUME ONLY

In XP and 98, you could access many of the audio system controls from the speaker icon near your system clock. But not in Vista. Here you can just control the output volume of your audio devices. But there are some good things.

Look in the bottom right of your computer monitor. You should see a small speaker icon like the one below the arrow. If not, then there's a small arrow pointing in or out to the left of the clock. Click that and you should see the speaker icon.

Accessing Your Vista Windows Mixer 2

In XP and 98 you would click once for volume and twice for the windows mixer. In Vista, just click once for this control.

Arrow 1.) After you click the speaker icon, click this mixer link to get to the Windows mixer.

Arrow 2.) You can mute your speakers here.

Arrow 3.) This is total system volume. In Vista it's also a meter.

Your Vista Windows Mixer Controls

In Vista they've taken away much of the functionality and the ability to go from here to choose inputs and sound card settings, so we'll cover that in the Sounds and Audio Devices Section.

But what they have done hear is neat. Finally you'll have separate control over your Windows Sounds like incoming mail and alerts from anything else you might be playing like music from DAK's new Tune Library Jukebox.

Also neat, this display screen will constantly change based on what's open. In XP and 98, you had fixed device inputs like Line In, Mic etc. But with Vista, this will display a slider for whatever is active. So now you can see that DAK Editor and Tune Library are active, but you see nothing for Mics or anything else because I'm not using them right now.

Arrow 1.) Output Main Volume for everything. This will set the main output volume for your entire computer.

Arrow 2.) Windows System sounds output. This slider lets you set the volume for JUST the Windows sounds. Now your email doesn't have to be as loud as your music.

Arrow 3.) DAK Editor output volume. This can set the sound of the DAK Editor separate and apart from any other player or audio source. Of course if you close the editor, this disappears and if you open another device, this slider would take on that device's icon and control.

Arrow 4.) I have the DAK Tune Library Jukebox open, so that's why you see it here. So it's volume can be controlled separately from the editor or any other audio source.

Arrow 5.) You can separately mute any open audio source by clicking the mute buttons here in this row.

Return To: Index

Accessing Your Windows Sounds and Audio Devices 1.

The easiest way to choose and set the source you want to record from is simply to:
1. Click the Record Source Button.
2. Choose your source in the Windows Sounds and Audio Devices Screen.
3. Click the Refresh Info Button.

Accessing Your Windows Sounds and Audio Devices 2.

You'll be accessing Windows Sounds and Audio Devices often, so I've added a link in the toolbox to make it super fast and easy for you. Just open the editor, choose Mode/Toolbox and then Click On Activate Windows Sound Control.

Return To: Index

How Does Windows Want You To Go To Sounds And Audio Devices?
Then, My Shortcut.

Accessing Sounds and Audio Devices isn't hard, it's just too many steps. So do this once, then use my shortcuts.

Arrow 1.) Click your Start Button in the lower left of your screen.

Arrow 2.) Click on Control Panel

Your Windows Control Panel Path To Sounds and Audio Devices 1

This is the Vista Control Panel. There are two choices of views. Either will work for you, but I like classic best.

Arrow 1.) You're probably here in Control Panel Home. It works fine. I just think it takes an extra step to use it.

Arrow 2.) To get to Sounds and Audio Devices, click Hardware and Sound to get another Menu screen.

Arrow 3.) You can switch to Classic View here which I think is faster but either way works fine.

Your Windows Control Panel Path To Sounds and Audio Devices 2

OK I guess there's a reason for this but at least on my Vista computers the first arrow takes me back to the windows mixer we already covered and the next two choices take me to Sounds And Audio Devices correctly, but to the same tab. So you need to click on Arrows 2 or 3.

Arrow 1.) This is the Windows mixer where you can control system and other volume.

Arrow 2.) This should be Sounds and Audio Devices, the tab that chooses which input you want, but at least in all my computers, I get the 1st main tab which is fine.

Arrow 3.) This should be Sounds and Audio Devices, the tab that chooses the various sound effects or other sounds for your Windows sounds. It brings me to the main tab, which as I've said is fine because it's just one click to any tab you want from there.

Classic View Of Your Control Panel. Drew's Favorite.

This is Classic View and you can click on any of Windows controls from here. It's fast, it's easy and I much prefer it. The other view does have more explanation if you aren't sure where you are going, but you pay for that with extra steps. Anyway, we're here and let's get started.

Arrow 1.) Just Click on Sound and you'll get the Sounds and Audio Devices Interface. Fast and Easy.

Return To: Index

Make A Shortcut to Sounds and Audio Devices 1

But let's make it even easier. You're still in Control Panel. This time if you Right click the Sound Icon, you can send a shortcut to your desktop for one click access from now on.

Arrow 1.) Right Click the Sounds and Audio Devices Icon.

Arrow 2.) Left Click the Create Shortcut Button.

That's it. You now have 1 click Access to your Sounds and Audio Devices Interface from now on.

Make A Shortcut to Sounds and Audio Devices 2

Here's the icon you'll see on your desktop. No need to go through any of the clicks and pain again. Just one click for easy access to your Windows Sounds and Audio Devices Interface from now on.

Return To: Index

Your Sounds And Audio Devices Main Playback Interface.

Remember that what you see here represents my sound card and yours may be different. Some sound cards have a headphone out setting as well. I'm not sure why they do but I've seen that. I have two ways to send a signal out of my computer. Either my computer speakers or SPDIF which is a digital out that I never use and I understand it's yet supported anyway.

Arrow 1.) Choose the Playback tab as this lets you control settings for your speakers

Arrow 2.) This is your speaker control center. Actually it's more as you'll see, but Double click it to get to properties or highlight it and click the Properties button (2a) below

Arrow 3.) Click Configure to set up how many speakers you are using and
VERY IMPORTANT MAKE SURE YOU ARE SET TO DESKTOP SPEAKERS OR 2 CHANNEL SOUND OR YOU CAN'T RECORD.

Stereo ONLY or You Can't Record

When you click configure in the screen above, you'll get this speaker setup screen. It's URGENT, VERY IMPORTANT & CRITICAL that you choose Stereo and not any of the other choices. Why? Most sound cards will let you choose 5.1 and 7.1
Arrow 1.) Choose Stereo speakers or desktop speakers.

Arrow 2.) You can click on the speaker icons to test left and right. Here you can see the sound waves of the speaker being tested.

Arrow 3.) This is the Test/Stop button. Since I'm in Test, just click stop to stop the test.

Arrow 4.) Click Next then Next again, then Click Finish to set your choice.

Return To: Index

Your Speaker Properties Control Tabs 1

When you click the Speakers Icon on the main tab, this is the 1st tab of properties that you'll get. There's really not much to do here. It does show you which sound card you have and you can click properties to see more about that.

Your Speaker Properties Control Tabs 2

Like others, this tab may look different on your computer as the options here are based on the sound card you have. Here you can see you can alter bass and treble. Some cards give you a full equalizer and some give you 3D sound options.

Your Speaker Properties Control Tabs 3

This is the levels tab and this is one you can actually use. This is like the old Windows mixer, it's just harder to find and get to. But now that you know how, you have the options you used to have.

Arrow 1.) Click on the Levels Tab to get here.

Arrow 2.) This is the speaker volume slider for this device, in this case LINE IN. You can adjust the sliders here as you could in the XP/98 Windows Mixer.

Arrow 3.) MOST IMPORTANT UNMUTE. This is often a problem in computers because they come with LINE IN muted from the factory. If LINE IN is muted, you can't record. So come here and make sure this is unmuted. See that I do have the Mic above muted so you'd see what it looks like.

Arrow 4.) Hit Apply after you make changes. Don't just close the box.

Your Balance Controls - Close-up.

I wanted to show you what happens if you hit any of the balance buttons on the screen above or frankly anywhere in the Sounds and Audio Devices. You will get a new dialog box like the ones above. And, they will be different based on what the control does and what your sound card offers.

The top is a standard LINE IN balance. Left and Right channels just as you'd expect. The screen below is for surround sound and your sound card supplies the Windows mixer with the info to control the balance of each of your speakers. Even the subwoofer and center channel. Just click and balance control and you'll get the appropriate dialog to do what you want to do.

Your Speaker Properties Control Tabs 4

OK, the advanced tab lets you set the sound quality and some options for how your programs interact with the sound card.
Arrow 1.) Check the Advanced Tab.

Arrow 2.) You can choose the frequency response and bit depth. I tend to like 44,100 as it's the standard. Vista seems to come set at 48,000 which is fine, but probably not needed.

Arrow 3.) Exclusive Mode lets you use only one application at a time and that's fine, but so far none of the programs I've loaded have seen it so I just turn it off as shown.

Arrow 4.) Special enhancements lets you use any special enhancements like 3D sound, surround sound and other extras your sound card may or may not offer. I'd turn it on and see if you have anything you don't see already.

Arrow 5.) Click Apply when you're done so whatever changes you've made will take effect.

Return To: Index

Your Recording Tab - The MAIN DEAL

This is where the action is. This is where you choose which input you want to record from. These inputs are determined by your sound card capabilities, not by Vista or by your DAK editor. All Vista and DAK's Editor do is poll your sound card and show it to you here.

YOU MUST SET THE INPUT YOU WANT TO USE FOR RECORDING TO DEFAULT HERE OR NO MATTER WHAT YOU SET IN THE EDITOR YOU CANNOT RECORD.

Arrow 1.) Choose the Recording Tab.

Arrow 2.) Select which input you want to use for recording. In this case I've chosen LINE IN, but I could have chosen What You Hear or Microphone.

Arrow 3.) You can Right Click on your choices and then Left Click Set As Default Device. This will set this input as the default for all recording programs on your computer. Come back here and change the recording source if you want a different source. A few sound cards will let you set it from the application, but by default, Vista will not let you do it automatically.

Arrow 4.) After you click on a source like Line In, you can also click this Set Default button instead of Right Clicking.

Arrow 5.) I think it's a good idea to show all the options your sound card has. I check Show Disabled Devices to see if anything you might want to use is actually there and just not visible to you.

Arrow 6 a/b.) Six A and B both give you access to all the detailed controls of your inputs. I detail each of them below. But to get to them just Double Click on the Icon or Click Properties when the icon is highlighted and you'll have full access.

Arrow 7.) Click Apply when you're done or none of your changes will take effect.

Return To: Index

Microphone Properties Explored 1

This is the screen you'll get when you choose Microphone Properties. There's not much to do on the 1st screen, but Vista does give you some nice Icon choices.
Arrow 1.) The is the Microphone Properties General tab

Arrow 2.) Click on the Change Icon button to choose a new icon.

Arrow 3.) On any Properties General Tab, you can see the name of your sound card here.

Your Icon Choices

Most of your devices will let you choose an Icon you like and can remember. Just click the Change Icon button above, then highlight the Icon you like and Click OK.

Or, if you make Icons like I do, you can browse and choose one you've made yourself.

Microphone Properties Explored 2

Computers were originally designed for more powerful dynamic mics but almost all of us use electret condenser mics today, so they need the 20db boost box checked.

For most sound cards, in the Custom Tab, you'll find the 20db boost. Just check this box and you'll have plenty of volume for your Mic.

Microphone Properties Explored 3

You can set your input volume here in the Levels Tab, or you can do it on the DAK Wave Editor, either way you'll have full control. Plus you can hit the Balance Button if you want to change the Left/Right overall volume.

Return To: Index

Microphone Properties Explored 4

You can control the recording quality and more here in the Advanced Tab.
Arrow 1.) Click on the Advanced Tab.

Arrow 2.) Choose Mono or Stereo and the sample rate and bit depth here. I've set this for CD quality 2 channel. Remember a mic is mono so you'll get the same equal sound through both channels with this setting.

Arrow 3.) Exclusive mode can be turned on or off here. I leave it off.

Arrow 4.) Remember to Click Apply after you make any changes.

Return To: Index

Line In Properties Explored 1

This is your LINE IN properties dialog box. There's nothing you need to do on the opening General Tab. You can change the Icon if you like by Clicking the Change Icon button.

Line In Properties Explored 2

The Custom Tab will display any special features that your sound card offers. In the case of my card, I have Record Mute, or record without monitoring.

VERY IMPORTANT IF YOU CAN'T HEAR WHILE RECORDING, but can hear after you record. Check to see if the Mute Wile Recording box is checked here.

Line In Properties Explored 3

Set your Input Volume and balance using the Levels Tab.
Arrow 1.) Choose the Levels Tab

Arrow 2.) Set the volume where you want it and you'll see a display of the overall percent so there's no guesswork

Arrow 3.) Click on the Balance button to adjust the Left Right balance of your music. This is very handy as many cassettes are weak on the left channel. You can also make these changes in the DAK Editor.

Arrow 3.) Click Apply to make your changes go into effect.

Line In Properties Explored 4

The Advanced Tab gives you some useful additions and controls.
Arrow 1.) Choose the Advanced Tab.

Arrow 2.) Choose the sample Rate and Bit Depth. 99% of the time just choose 44,100 and you'll have CD quality sound. I've shown you DVD quality which you can now do too, but if you are burning CDs, 44,100 is all they will take so that's all you need.

Arrow 3.) Exclusive Mode gives you control over how many programs can use the Line In. I usually uncheck this. Some programs don't like it and won't run. The DAK Editor is fine with it and it's supposed to give it more control, but I just haven't seen any difference.

Arrow 4.) Always Check Apply so your changes will take effect.

Return To: Index

What You Here, Stereo Mix or Wave Out Properties Explored 1

What you hear, stereo mix and wave out mix are what various sound cards call their ability to capture streaming audio from the Internet and capture sounds of your computer like system sounds and games. Virtually all sound cards offer this and currently we are only aware of one sound card made that doesn't offer this capability. There are several fixes on the Web but we haven't tried them out so we can't endorse them for you. But they just have you download another computer's driver and then it works.

Other than changing the icon, there's nothing you need to do here on the General Tab.

Return To: Index

What You Here, Stereo Mix or Wave Out Properties Explored 2

The Levels tab lets you set the incoming recording volume and the balance. It's useful if one channel is louder than the other so you can correct for an imperfect original.

Both volume and balance are also controlled from DAK's Wave Editor.

What You Here, Stereo Mix or Wave Out Properties Explored 3

The Advanced Tab gives you control of several extra features.
Arrow 1.) Click on the Advanced Tab.

Arrow 2.) Choose the sample Rate and Bit Depth. 99% of the time just choose 44,100 and you'll have CD quality sound. I've shown you DVD quality which you can now do too, but if you are burning CDs, 44,100 is all they will take so that's all you need.

Arrow 3.) Exclusive Mode gives you control over how many programs can use the What You Hear. I usually uncheck this. Some programs don't like it and won't run. The DAK Editor is fine with it and it's supposed to give it more control, but I just haven't seen any difference.

Arrow 4.) Always Check Apply so your changes will take effect.

Return To: Index

Your Windows System Sounds & Music Too.

Most of the sounds you hear on your computer are controlled from the Windows System Sounds Tab. This is the last tab of the main interface.

You can use and change any of the sounds you want. Just highlight the event, then choose the sound. You can browse for more. You can you a measure or two from a favorite song or melody. I've covered this in extreme detail in the DAK Sound Effects ebook you should have gotten with our main systems or fully feature editor.

In short.

Arrow 1.) Click the Sounds Tab.

Arrow 2.) Scroll through all your system sounds and click on one you want to change.

Arrow 3.) Change the sound and then test it here. Remember to consult your Sound Effects eBook for a complete guide to system sounds.

Arrow 4.) Click Apply to set your choices so they will take effect.

Return To: Index

A few last things that I want to mention.
It's very, very different. Some things are good. Some are more work. But, love it or hate it Vista is here to stay and DAK's Wave Editor will give you the best quality recordings and editing in the least possible time.

Enjoy. . . Drew

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