Windows 10: Sound Issues -- Voice Recognition, Recording from Tape Player, etc

I posted a similar question several months ago, but I'm still having the same problems. I'm not sure which section of the forum is the best place for this particular issue -- or even certain it's a Windows 10 issue -- just hoping someone out there might be able to help me figure it out, or suggest where I might find answers!

First, my hardware:
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-5250U CPU @ 1.60 GHz (NUC)
Installed Memory(RAM) 8.00 GB (7.89 GB usable)
System Type: 64-bit Operating System, x64-based processor
Intel HD Graphics
Realtek High Definition Mic

And Software:
Windows 10
Dragon Naturally Speaking 13 Home Edition
Goldwave v. 6.24
Audacity 2.0.5
Finale v. 2005

Voice recognition: I use voice recognition almost daily, both Dragon NaturallySpeaking and the app that comes with Win 10. Months ago, I noticed that my dictation would go along 'as usual' for a sentence or two, and then just stop. First I checked my mic, trying my spare one -- same results. Then I tried both applications, to make sure it wasn't a problem with the app itself -- same results. I starting looking for answers online, and while I found others who seem to be having the same problem, none of the solutions offered have worked. The only thing that DOES seem to work is the 'Restore System' function, but eventually I begin to have the same problems again.

[One suggestion I tried was this: Right click the speaker in the lower right corner> choose "Recording Devices"> double-click "Microphone" & choose the "Levels" Tab. And therein lies the problem: the 'levels' slide for my mic is at '0' and the icon of the mic has a 'red circle/line through it'. No matter WHAT I do, the slider will NOT stay put ... it always 'jumps' back to '0'. I've tried (as suggested by several) going to the "Advanced" tab & unchecking both of the 'Exclusive Mode' options, but it didn't help. Back to the 'Sound' tab .... someone said to highlight 'Microphone' and click 'Set Default'. I'd like to try that, but, unfortunately, my 'Set Default' button is grayed out ... can't do anything with it at all.]

The other major problem I'm having is recording from tape player to Computer: I thought I had this one solved when I purchased a Behringer U-Control (UCA222). I was able to record several tapes, using this and the GOLDWAVE app; but now I can't seem to get anything to record. Even tried AUDACITY (in case it was a GOLDWAVE problem) but nothing works. Again, have played around with various sound settings with no luck at all.

ALSO use FINALE music notation software. It is an outdated 2005 version, but, aside from 'freezing' on me sometimes, it still DOES work. The other thing that DOES work is recording (using GOLDWAVE) from the internet.

You can tell, I'm way in over my head: I repeat, I have NO IDEA whether it's a Windows 10 issue, NUC issue, an APP issue, a SETTINGS issue or WHAT. All I know is that when I had my big old CPU & was running XP, I had NONE of these problems at all! Ahh for the good old days =)

I'm posting this on all forums which might possibly apply & praying for help. Thanks so much for any thoughts and/or ideas!

:)

 

Voice Recorder

Hi

I understand that in Windows 10 that Sound Recorder was replaced with Voice Recorder. When using Voice Recorder how can I select or change the Type of File. I just creates a file Type (M4A). When I burn a CD, the CD does not play on my CD player. Will Sound
Recorder run with Windows 10? What I am doing is converting my old music tape to a CD. I connect my tape player head phone jack to my computer microphone jack and start Voice Recorder to created a file, then use that file to burn a CD. With Windows 8.1 this
worked using Sound Recorder but does not work with Voice Recorder.

 

What Caused MP4 Sound Files Made in Win 10 Voice Recorder Suddenly Covert to Unusable M4a format?

Need to convert sound files to MP4. How to do this?

Started with cassette tapes on which sound had been recorded. Attached tape recorder to PC, opened Voice Recorder in Win 10 and transferred the sound from the cassette tape to the PC and recorded the sound file. This was around the middle of August, 2016.
The sound file was created in MP4 audio format BY DEFAULT in Voice Recorder. I have no idea how this was done, but it was just what I needed.

When I finished creating the sound file in Voice Recorder, Windows Media Player opened by default so I could then listen to the sound file. Perfect. I then burned a CD IN MP4 AUDIO format using WMP 12. Two weeks later, ALL my sound files made this way in
MP4 format changed by themselves to M4a format which makes the sound files useless, because I need to play the CDs in a "boom box" or CD player--not a PC.

The sound recordings are not copyrighted music; they are simply public interviews and meetings made legally. So what is with this inexplicable change to the formats? Only one article I found by a Microsoft techie states that a specific VERSION of WMP COULD
record, play and burn MP4 AUDIO files but it was something like WMP 12 version something with 90 after the dot.

But whether or not Microsoft products can do anything related to MP4 sound format, the question remains: How to convert sound files to MP4 audio format and only MP4 format. That is the only format I can use with the devices I have. Advice appreciated.

I have Audacity and cdXPburner on my PC. One other unknown is a player that sometimes opens automatically which came with my PC called sMedioTrueLink+. I think that is a Toshiba product. Does anyone know anything about that player and if that might have
changed the format of my sound recordings?

I see no "updates" to Voice Recorder or WMP although they may have updated with Win 10. If that is true, I'm screwed because I cannot return my PC to an earlier date in time. The computer completely crashed just before the Win 10 cumulative update, so there
is nothing to go back to.... Advice appreciated.

 

Good afternoon. These are likely related but I think we have to pull it apart and deal with them one at a time. One thing we should identify, does your headset have a mute button? Most if not all do, need to reference exactly how to engage.

Voice recognition. You say when you do system restore it works for a while. I assume you have a specific restore point (based on date) that you know to use to get things working again. You said it works for a while and then the problem raises it head. Are you letting windows update you device drivers? If so can I suggest you disable. If this doesn't fix the situation you can always re-enable.

Addition: First we need to do the system restore.

Stop Windows Updating Drivers
Right click on Windows Start
Click on Control Panel
Click on System and Security
Click on System
Click on Advance system settings
Click on Hardware tab
Click on Device Installation Settings
Click on No
A menu appears (first time) click Never Install driver software.
You may get a warning. Click the option that says I’ll take care of it (not exact words)

To re-enable follow the instructions again and click Yes.

You will need to do this very soon after you restore so more drivers don't come to you. Test for a suitable amount of time, you seem to know from experience how long it takes to fail.

On levels - when you are attempting to set levels, on the level tab, I believe you see a little blue icon on the right with a red circle. The red circle is mic is muted. You may have done this already but could you left click on red circle and report back what happens. It should become unmuted if there is such a word.

 

I vaguely remember your other post. I have Goldwave and use it a lot.
When you record from the Internet you set Goldwave or whatever program you want to use on Stereo Mix, which needs to be set as the Default Recording Device. When you want to record from some other device, some you can use Stereo Mix (that should be anything you can hear in the PC speakers or headset). If you can't hear it most likely there is some type of problem.

The Behringer device is a USB audio interface unit. Is the Behringer correctly identified in the Device Manager, Sounds section? With the Behringer connected to the PC it should be listed in the Sound Panel Recording section and you should be able to use Stereo Mix to record from whatever you are connecting to the Behringer (e.g. tape recorder/tape deck, etc). If the Behringer is not shown in the Device Manager, you probably have an "Unknown Device" listed in the USB section of the Device Manager. If this is the case, leave it plugged in then "Uninstall" the Unknown Device in the Device manager. Then disconnect the Behringer, reboot the PC. After Windows starts, plug the Behringer in and Windows should install it and it should be operational.

Second possibility with the Behringer, if its shown in the Sound section of the Device Manager -whether shown as OK or with an error code, do the uninstall procedure the same as outlined for the unknown device - uninstall in the device manager, then disconnect the unit, reboot the PC and after Windows starts plug it in and Windows should install it and it should be operational.

These are the two items to check as first step. Get these going then we can attack anything that is left over. The Finale software is not really compatible and you will have to live with the issues there.

 

Ken,
Thanks so much for your response & suggestions. I followed your very carefully outlined directions (Thank you for 'walking me through it' so carefully) to stop Windows from updating drivers, and am hoping this will help. It sounds like a great suggestion at any rate. As to the 'levels', when I went to see if the 'left click' would work, there was NO red circle -- so I guess that's progress. I will keep your response handy however, and if the red circle shows up again will let you know! I really appreciate you taking the time and effort for such a thoughtful response! Happy New Year!

 

Firebird,
Thank you so much for your suggestions regarding Goldwave. I guess it was the 'System Restore' I mentioned, but suddenly everything that was 'broken' appears to be working -- for NOW at least! However, I've copied your post & will save it for reference should this occur again. I suspect, as Ken mentioned, that what's happening may be related to new Drivers downloading automatically. (I guess I'm hoping that, because it's something that can be corrected). Anyway, I do appreciate your time & thoughts, and will post if I ever can figure out more! Happy New Year!