Home | New Products | Hot Products | Tweaks & Geeks | About | Quizzes | Tutorials
 
Windows Mixer Control
Drew's Window's Mixer - XP - 98
Controlling Your Sound Card Tutorial
How to access and control Windows audio control interface with your sound card and get the most out of all your computer's sound capabilities fast For XP, ME, 2000 AND 98.

For The VISTA Windows Mixer Click Here

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 have 2 sound cards?
 How do I make the iMic Notebook USB adapter My Default?


TWO MAJOR MIXER AREAS
SOUNDS AND AUDIO DEVICES - This is the main heart of the Windows Mixer Interface. You set the default sound card and other settings plus determine options and number of speakers here.
How Do I Get To Sounds And Audio Devices?
INPUT CHOICES, PROPERTIES AND SLIDERS - You control which inputs are turned on, and which one is going to be used for recording, volume for each input and output and Mic boosts and more.
Accessing Your Windows Mixer Path 1 of 3
Note: Each of the 3 paths takes you to a different place in the Windows Mixer Interface, so either Click the Next button below each picture to follow that particular path or just explore the whole section.
To access the Windows Mixer this method takes you there through the Control Panel. This is your Start Button at the bottom left of your monitor screen.

Click Next to follow this path 1 of 3.

Accessing Your Windows Mixer Path 2 of 3
Note: Each of the 3 paths takes you to a different place in the Windows Mixer Interface, so either Click the Next button below or just explore the whole section.
This method takes you right to the input volume sliders with access to lots more.
Arrow 1.) Look to the bottom right of your computer screen and you'll see the system clock. To the left, you should see a small speaker icon. If not, then click this < button and your 'tray' should expand to show you the hidden icons like I've shown above.

Arrow 2.) Either you should see this all the time or after you click the > button. Note: If you don't see it then use one of the other methods and I'll show you how to turn this on later. If you do see it, if you click it once, you'll see the small volume slider for the main system speaker button, BUT IF YOU CLICK IT TWICE, you'll be in the Windows Mixer

Click Next to follow this path 2 of 3.
Accessing Your Windows Mixer Path 3 of 3
Sounds and Audio Devices
Note: Each of the 3 paths takes you to a different place in the Windows Mixer Interface, so either Click the Next button below or just explore the whole section.
OK here are the easiest 2methods of all. Open your DAK Editor and Click The Record Source Button, Or in the Mode Menu, just go to toolbox and click on the Activate Windows Sound Control to access your Windows mixer. Whichever part of the DAK Editor you are in, you'll have easy access to Sounds and Audio Devices.

Click Next to follow this path 3 of 3.
Accessing Your Windows Mixer Path 1 of 3 Step 2.
OK, so you've clicked your Start Menu, now please click your Control Panel button.

Click Next to follow this path 1 of 3.

The next picture is the Control Panel you'll see after you click the button above
Accessing Your Windows Mixer Path 1 of 3 Step 3.
This is your control panel where you control most of your computer's functions. It's arranged alphabetically so all you need to do is check the Ss for Sounds and Audio devices. Note: Does yours look different? There are two look and feel choices for the control panel, this one is classic, but either way, just click on Sounds And Audio Devices.

Click Next to follow this path 1 of 3.

Your Sounds & Audio Devices Main Screen
This is the main screen that you'll see for Sounds and Audio Devices. Below we'll explore the other tabs, but for now let's get our computers set for recording by setting them for 2 channel/desktop speaker sound.

Arrow 1.) Look down at your system clock. If you don't see the little speaker icon for easy access to this screen, check this box.

Arrow 2.) There are normally lots of ways to setup your computer. The problem is that often if you are set for 5.1 or 7.1 theatre surround, the LINE IN jacks may be disabled so you can't get sound into your computer because the DUAL USE JACKS are used for theatre surround multiple speakers. This is where you will set the way your speakers are setup. See below.

Arrow 3.) On some sound cards access to the way your speakers are setup is handled through the Speaker Volume or similar button. Just click these buttons to see which one gives you access to the number of speakers your system is set for.

Arrow 4.) This advanced button is your access to all the volume sliders and which inputs you have active on your computer. We'll cover it below. Or click to see the sliders now.
Two Channel Desktop Sound ONLY
Today's computers offer you lots of choices for really terrific sound. You can have 5 or more speakers playing. You can watch movies with sound that rivals in-theatre sound. The sound card companies aren't dumb. Using the power of your computer they can decode all the sound schemes and you'll be amazed just how good it will sound.

BUT STOP HERE
DESKTOP SPEAKERS RULE
If you don't get sound from the LINE IN or MIC jacks into your computer, chances are either the LINE IN or MIC input is muted, or it's switched off because it's a dual use jack. When you have your sound card switched to 5.1 or 7.1 surround, the sound card makers turn your input jacks into output jacks so they are disabled for input recording. Just select Desktop Speakers/2 channel sound and you'll be able to make broadcast quality recordings using your LINE IN and MIC inputs. Then just switch back to surround sound when you want to watch a DVD.

Usually when you get outputs for 5 speakers a subwoofers or more, the sound card just maps the use of the jacks so that input jacks become output jacks. So, when you want to use your computer for recording, switch here to Desktop Stereo speakers and you can plug in to your Blue LINE IN jack and make broadcast quality recordings. Then when you want to watch a movie, now you know where to switch back to get your surround sound back again.

Arrow 1.) Choose Desktop Stereo Speakers or two channel sound.

Arrow 2.) When you're not recording, explore all your many choices.
Sounds & Audio Devices - AUDIO TAB
The audio tab isn't normally used every day. What it does is let you choose which sound card you want to use if there are several in your computer. You can ONLY USE ONE at a time, but many computers have 2 and with a USB adapter, which is really only needed for laptops, you can even have 3.

PLEASE NOTE: The problem with 2 sound cards is when you try to hookup to the blue jack in the back of your computer for LINE IN, if you have more than one sound card, you could easily plug into the wrong blue jack and then you won't get sound into your computer or if you do you won't be able to record the sound you do get.

OK here's how to change your sound card choice.
Arrow 1.) This is Playback. You can use a different sound card for record from the one you use for playback. Isn't that interesting? Well, we do use the original sound card in your computer for playback when you are using a USB adapter sound for recording because you can't hear sound from the USB sound card. It's for recording only. Never for playback. So you can select your normal sound card for Playback, but keep the USB sound card like our USB iMic as shown in Arrow 4 for Recording.

Arrow 2.) This is Record. It works the same as playback. Just choose the option you want.

Arrow 3.) HOW TO TELL IF YOUR COMPUTER HAS TWO SOUND CARDS. It's easy to tell. Open the pull down recording box you saw in 3. If you see two sound card names then both cards are in your computer.

Note: Microsoft Soundmapper isn't another sound card it's just the way Windows Maps to your card.

WHY 2 SOUND CARDS, EXPLAINED. 99% of the time when you have two sound cards it's just because when you bought your computer, there was one sound card built into the motherboard. Most motherboards do have a built-in sound card. Unless it's disabled it's still there for you to use.

But any good computer is going to have a PCI added sound card and that's why you have 2 because you have an upgraded sound card. Congratulations, you are in great shape. Often one choice will be Microsoft Sound Mapper. That's not a sound card, it's just Microsoft's mapping to your card. If that's what it says, leave that as whatever comes up automatically as this is usually best.

Arrow 4.) TURNING ON NOTEBOOK USB ADAPTER for laptops only. I'm just showing you what our USB notebook adapter sound card looks like. If it ever doesn't show up automatically in the Wave Editor, and it always should, you just come here and select it FOR RECORD ONLY. Then click apply and then OK on the next screen and it will show up in the editor again.
Unmuting your LINE IN And Other Inputs.
OK, here's what to do. It's easy to control your Windows Mixer inputs and more.

These sliders are the volume controls for the sounds you hear coming from your computer speakers. It's known as Play Control, Playback Control or Volume depending on what your sound card calls it. All are the same. You want to make sure that Aux, Line In and Mic ARE NOT MUTED if you want to hear these sources coming into your computer. Later we'll show you how to select them in a screen that looks like this but says RECORD.

Arrow 1.) This is Auxiliary. Right now it's muted. Aux is generally the blue jack you'll find in the front of your computer. It's just as good as LINE IN, but it's not always on. Sometimes it's wired to your monitor or just about anywhere. So we like you to use the blue jack in back because it's always called LINE IN. And, we know where it is controlled in the Windows Mixer.

Arrow 2.) LINE IN - YOUR MAIN INPUT. We want your Line In, or Analog Slider unmuted and slid up. This is the main Line In into your computer and it's the BLUE JACK in back next to the green jack where your speakers are plugged in.

Important Note - 2 BLUE JACKS. Be sure you are using the Blue Jack next to the green jack where your speakers are plugged in. That way you won't plug into a 2nd blue jack you might or might not have on your computer.

Arrow 3.) This is your microphone input. You can mute this while you are using a microphone so you won't hear it coming thorough the speakers and get feedback as you record.

Arrow 4.) Wave is your main system sound from Internet audio and many other players you may use. If you are trying to record but don't have enough volume it's often because a player you are using has lowered the volume in the wav slider. You may not be set for wav, but it does lower the volume for much of what comes over the Internet and it can be slid up or down without you meaning to do it by various programs you may use.
Just One Click For Properties & Advanced If You have it.
 
All you need to do here, is Select Properties. to move on to the main play and record Windows Mixer Properties controls. But if you do have the choice of advanced you might check it out here first.

Arrow 1.) Click options to access Windows Mixer Properties, plus Advanced if you have it.

Arrow 2.) Properties takes you to Windows Mixer's main controls.

Arrow 3.) If you see Advanced always check it because it gives you some good options that you may want and frankly I can see no reason that you wouldn't want it checked.

Arrow 4.) Somewhere you will find an advanced button for your mic input. See the next picture.
Microphone Boost Is Needed
99% of the time you will find an advanced button under the microphone slider. It may not always be in the same place and may not always look the same, but you will find it.

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. No big deal, just do it or your mic will be very, very soft.


OK, back to the Windows Properties section.
Playback Properties Window
 

This is your Playback Properties Window It's a very powerful tool.

Arrow 1.) There are two windows like this. This is Playback; the other is Recording.

Arrow 2.) This is a list of all the functions/inputs of your Sound Card. When we looked at the Mixer sliders in the main screen above, every slider on it represented a Checked Box in this window. If you Uncheck a box, the slider for that function will be removed from the Mixer.

So in short, this box tells you all the options that you have with your sound card and the boxes that you check to make them available to you in the Windows Mixer.

The names you see here are your sound card's names for the functions and the DAK Wave Editor will list all these in the pull down Playback Windows. Remember, DAK doesn't make up the names. We just take the names your sound card uses and display them for you.

Arrow 3.) This is your Sound Card name. Windows calls it your mixer device.

OK, now onto the Recording Screen, which is really important.
Your Recording Properties Choices.
 
OK, this is your Recording Properties Input Control screen.

Arrow 1.) Click the round radio button that says Recording. It will always come up under Playback so you have to click recording whenever you come here.

Arrow 2.) Make sure that your Line In Check box is CHECKED. This turns it on and actually if it's not checked, you won't even have a slider for Line In on the Mixer.

Also this is where you will find and activate Stereo Mixer or What You Hear or Wave because that's what you need to have Checked if you want to record from the Internet or sounds coming from your computer. Remember your sound card determines the names and Windows and DAK just show you what's there.

Arrow 3.) This is your Sound Card name. Windows calls it your mixer device.

OK, now just Click the OK button Once. We have just one more thing to do.
Sidebar
How Many Sound Cards Do You Have?
I just wanted to show you another place you can check to see how many sound cards are in your computer. Just click on the pull down box called Mixer Device and you'll see if there are any other choices. Often one choice will be Microsoft Sound Mapper. That's not a sound card, it's just Microsoft's mapping to your card. If that's what it says, leave that as whatever comes up automatically which is usually best.
This is Different. This is Recording Control, NOT Volume
 
This may look just like the 1st set of sliders you got way back when you got to the Windows mixer. But if you look at its title in the top left, you'll see this one says RECORDING Control

Arrow 1.) Even though this box looks the same as the first one that we told you to unmute, this one is very different. It controls the Recording inputs, rather than the playback. This one you want to be CHECKED. In fact the Wave Editor will check it when you select this function, or you can check it here too.

Arrow 2.) I'm just showing you another Microphone Advanced button where you can add the 20db boost.

ONE INPUT NOTE. Only one input in a computer can be selected at a time. So when you check 1 box it will uncheck any other checked box.

Now just close this box and you're ready to start recording. As I said, Windows Mixer is really easy, but almost nobody knows it's there or what to do with it. Now, fellow DAKonian, you sure do.
One More Advanced Feature/Problem
One of the neat advanced features in a few sound cards like mine is to automatically mute your computer when you are recording. This is really great when using a live mic as you'd get feedback while you record. But it's really bad if you want to hear a record or cassette as you record. If you don't hear what you are recording but you do see waves in the editor, look for advanced, under line in or analog in, and uncheck the mute while recording box.
 
A few last things that I want to mention.

NO SOUND RULE
The DAK wave editor has nothing to do with your computer's sound. If you don't hear a record or cassette through your LINE IN or Internet radio through the What you hear, the editor can't help you. The editor records what actually comes into your computer, but you need to have the sound coming in for it to record. So check to see what's muted in the Windows mixer or if your source, like a cassette deck output jack, is actually an output. Jacks that say AUX for example are INPUTS, NOT OUTPUTS.

Spend a few minutes just playing with the mixer. It's worth being familiar with this powerful tool. You have far more control of the inputs to your computer than you might have ever imagined.
Enjoy. . . Drew


Tutorial Review Please.
So, What do you think? Good? Bad? Was this tutorial Helpful? Too detailed? Not Detailed enough? What would you do differently?
What do you want to know? What subject would you like me to write a tutorial about?
Please CLICK
to tell Drew (me) PERSONALLY.

DAK Home | About DAK | New Products | Hot Products | Quizzes | Electronic Tutorials
What Happened to DAK 1? | What was Drew Doing? | Map | Tweaks & Geeks | DAK Guarantee

Pictorial Tech Support. 6 AM - 11 PM Pacific Time
Got a question? Need help setting up? No problem. We've found that we can email you detailed help with step-by-step PICTURES where appropriate to make sure you can make the most out of our products and software much better than trying to describe what to do verbally over the phone.

CLICK HERE For FAST Complete Email Tech Support

DAK INDUSTRIES, INC.
19528 Ventura Blvd. #350 Tarzana, CA 91356
All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in any form. Copyright 1999-2007 DAK, INC.
Privacy Pledge | Legal Information | Contact the Webmaster