Possible to play music while recording in Audacity?

[Will-Casel]

I want to be able to record my show and introduce a song/poem/sound effect while recording in Audacity.
Can I use WMP or iTunes to have a song cued up and just hit play when I want to introduce the song into my session? Or do I have to import the song in after I record my vocals?

Sorry if this is unclear, but any input would be appreciated.
Thanks!


Will-Casel

[timmy2005]

Dude, if the setting is to Stereo Mix, it will pick up any sounds going through your sound card or device. So anything you play will be picked up during recording. Or you could import it, and wrestle with trying to paste it into the right spot. I'd explain that but it's a chore to do. :arrow:

[Will-Casel]

Thanks for the response, timmy.

I figured out what my problem is.
I have a USB mic, so it doesn't go through my soundcard like all my other audio.
So, if you go into File -> Preferences and look at the Audio I/O tab, my USB mic is listed seperately from my soundcard.
I guess I'll just have to splice it all together in post-production to get it together. Unless anybody has any other suggestions.

Thanks.

Will-Casel

[robaustin]

I'm also interested - I have a USB Mic/Headset and I can record from the USB mic just fine - but I can't play music to "talk it up" or anything.

What on the PC instead of Audacity with record my show "live" - all of the audio that's coming into my PC from the USB mic as WELL as what's playing through say iTunes?

What'll it be? I know that Adam Curry's mentioned that his Castblaster does this - so obviously it's possible. What do folks recommend?

Ideally I'd like something that would record it all but still keep the Mic as a separate track from the audio playing track(s) <aka stereo tracks for music>.

--*Rob

[John and Wendy]

Your best bet is probably to get a mixer. I've got the two mikes hooked up to an Alesis mixer. The Mix Out goes into the line in of my Creative Audigy card. The green audio out on my sound card goes to one of the line inputs on the mixer.

I record in Audacity, but I can play music, fade it in and out and play sound effects all through my computer through the mixer. It works real good.

And for post production, the Alesis mixer came with Cubase LE, which allows 24 track recording. That can all be mixed and tweaked to your hearts content before exporting as an mp3.

[Will-Casel]

Thanks for the replies.
I will probably mix everything separately for the first couple of shows and then probably grow into the mixer and such. The Logitech USB mic seems to work great for me now, but won't work well when I start interviewing and having guest poets on.

I'm researching a few mics now. The MXL-DRK (http://www.zzounds.com/item--MSEDRK) (Desktop Recording Kit) seems very interesting. It'll be available May 6th.

Will-Casel

[dny238]

I've been wondering how to record audio from my computer.
Thanks for posting the answer.

Rob

=========================
Geek Speak Radio
http://geekspeakradio.com

[TINKOFF RADIO]

I have to share that once you figure out a way to record your show as live as possible - it really cuts down on the overall production time. I "sewed together" my first 5 shows and it took me at least 2 hours per show. Now that I've moved to recording in real time - there's more prep getting all the clips ready, etc. but once your done talking - it's pretty much "in the can" - and the post-production is minimal.

I appreciate the time saved, hopefully some of which I can use to work on more material and the quality of the content.

I went from using Audacity to Audio Hijack Pro on the Mac. It tooks some "black magic voodoo" to get it all working properly - but once I got the settings right - the difference was amazing and I think the show sounds more immediate.

PERSIST!

Adam Tinkoff