Waveform takes over all audio?

[msavard]

Whenever I have Waveform open, the audio on any other program will not work. If I had the other program open first, then Waveform will not play. I was hoping to record some audio off youtube but Waveform just won't do it. Reaper does it fine. Am I missing a setting?

I saw an explanation of how to do it in Studio One (https://answers.presonus.com/13684/list ... with-audio) but that setting doesn't exist in Waveform. I tried the Windows setting of not letting a program take excludive control of a device, still no go.

Soundcard: EMU 0404 PCI
OS: Windows 10
Waveform 11.5

[terrynoakes]

Following, I have the same problem.
Emu 1212m / Windows 8.1/ Waveform 11.5.9 pro.
I was under the impression it was something to do with the Emu asio. But if it works ok with Reaper
Then something else is at play.
I've tried all the windows settings, re exclusive control etc. Hope someone has the answer. Thanks in advance.

[Peter Widdicombe]

Huh. In the "old" days, I used to be able to do this with an ancient SoundBlaster card, but you had to manipulate its settings. Seems that isn't an option now.

I had tried on my laptop and thought - this is great - it works here. Then realized it was the default audio interface I was recording from, and it was picking up the laptop microphone ! It'll work, but sound won't be very good. Similarly, you may be able to do this with an external mixer and cable output from the sound card back to line input and record...

I think there are some Windows add-ins (untested) that allow you do create a "virtual audio mix" if in windows, and that "mix" can then be treated as another input device.

Ah, even "simpler" if you are in Windows. You can ENABLE the "Windows mix" if your audio device is Windows Audio, and the mix of all sources you hear become that mix - but it does come with caveats:

1. Do NOT enable input monitoring for the track or it will echo or feedback.
2. Remember where you did it - you may not always want it, so turn it off when done !!
3. Even if you don't use it, the below video steps on setting input sources
actually apply whether you use external mixer/cable to do it, or
external mixer, or the "Windows mix" methods.

voice meter potato...

[fde101]

My understanding is that this can happen in Windows when using the ASIO drivers provided by some audio interfaces.

I believe there are workarounds but someone else would need to chime in with those - I use a Mac for any audio work, where this problem doesn't exist.

[Kang]

My understanding is that this can happen in Windows when using the ASIO drivers provided by some audio interfaces.

I believe there are workarounds but someone else would need to chime in with those - I use a Mac for any audio work, where this problem doesn't exist.

This is what I've gathered as well. I generally haven't been able to use multiple audio applications with ASIO, but recently I noticed I am able to with a MOTU M2. I think it's just a driver thing.

[AGreen]

A workaround would be to switch to the Windows Audio driver (non-exclusive) when you want to record something like youtube.

Edit:

You also have to use the multisampler in Waveform to record system audio. Put a sampler on a track, click the record tab in the sampler then select "System output" in the sampler menu at the bottom left (three horizontal lines). Then click record and it will record anything playing such as a video in a browser etc.

[pough]

A couple of things to consider:

1. Sharing an audio device (system + Waveform) will probably affect performance. That's the reason ASIO by default is exclusive, I believe. Gotta wring every bit of performance out of the computer you can.

2. I'm not sure how passionate Tracktion would be to add a feature for doing something that at best violates YouTube's terms of services and at worst is illegal.

When I want to record something playing in a non-DAW app I use a regular audio editor. That's how I captured Heinbach saying "mm-hmm" to use in a song. Shh. Don't tell him.

Having said that, those vb-audio products look like a good solution. They're pretty cheap, too.

[msavard]

Well, lets put it in another scenario. I like to play along with other music, whether it be on youtube or a music file on my computer. When Waveform is open, no other sound plays. No audio players, system sounds, standalone instruments, CD, nothing.

It's odd that Reaper does it. I'm not trying to compare, it just shows it can be done with my setup. I'm not sure how they do it. I've always had this problem with Tracktion though (even back T3).

[AGreen]

I'm not sure how passionate Tracktion would be to add a feature for doing something that at best violates YouTube's terms of services and at worst is illegal.

They put the record system output facility in the multisampler for exactly that purpose, recording stuff online or from other audio sources on the computer. The illegality of it is the users responsibility not the daw provider. Many daws will record the system output so it's not an unusual feature.

[terrynoakes]

For me, it's about not being able to export a mix and play it outside of waveform,or watch a YouTube recording tutorial on a second screen and trying out ideas without having to exit waveform.

[AGreen]

For me, it's about not being able to export a mix and play it outside of waveform,or watch a YouTube recording tutorial on a second screen and trying out ideas without having to exit waveform.

You can do it if you switch to the windows audio driver. It does seem to be an asio issue. If you need to use your interface at the same time and it doesn't support windows audio that will be a problem however.

[bk]

I've had this issue before, and the solution for me was to make sure the Waveform or Reaper project was set to the same sample rate as windows is.
If one is 44.1khz and the other is 48khz, I can't play audio from Youtube when the DAW is open
edit: It's also dependent on your ASIO driver. Some are exclusive, and won't allow multiple sources to access them at the same time.

[msavard]

Well, I tried all the suggested fixes and the only one that worked was using the high latency windows audio drivers. Bummer. It's nice to play the piano while your computer is rendering in blender or something like that. I will just use something else for those times.