Total Recorder user-mode driver and Windows Vista

Beginning with Version 7.1, Total Recorder is supplied with a new WDM audio driver, which is fully compatible with the Windows Vista (32-bit or 64-bit) operating system. We strongly recommend users of earlier versions of Total Recorder upgrade to version 7.1 and choose to use the Total Recorder kernel-mode (WDM) audio driver.

If your operating system is Windows Vista and you prefer to use the Total Recorder user-mode driver, or if you choose to remain on version 6.1 of Total Recorder, review the materials below about the problems you may encounter.

For Total Recorder version 6.1

With version 6.1, the following compatibility problems with Windows Vista exist:

  • The Help program does not work. The format of the Help file is not supported. To use this format, you need to download additional tools. When you try to launch the Help, you'll receive a message with the necessary information and the download links to resolve the issue.

    Total Recorder version 7.0 or higher is supplied with the Help file in CHM format, which is supported by Windows Vista.

  • When installing Total Recorder add-ons or skins, you may receive a message about compatibility issues:

    This message can be ignored. You can click Run program to continue.

  • Sometimes after you install Total Recorder, the current sound scheme is modified.

    We recommend you save your current sound scheme (Control Panel - Sound, Sounds tab) under two different names. If the sound scheme is distorted, you will then be able to restore it.

    In Total Recorder's settings, you need to prevent the turning off of the sound scheme: open the Options -> Settings menu, go to the General tab, clear Turn off sounds assigned to system events.

    Then set the sound scheme to the one saved before Total Recorder was launched.

    Normally, this problem does not occur. If you encounter problems with system sounds, and the sound scheme was not saved, you will need to manually reset the scheme.

    This problem is eliminated in version 7.0 of Total Recorder.

  • Total Recorder version 6.1 is supplied with only a user-mode audio driver. Windows Vista does not let you set this driver as a system default playback or recording device. Under Windows Vista, recording in Software mode can only be used for those programs that do not use (or can work without using) Direct Sound and they let you select an audio device independently of the system settings. For more information about recording when using Total Recorder's user-mode audio driver under Windows Vista, see below.

For Total Recorder version 7.0 or above with the Total Recorder user-mode audio driver

Using the Total Recorder user-mode audio driver in version 7.0 or above will restrict your ability to record in Software recording mode. This issue is related to the significant changes in how the sound subsystem functions in Windows Vista. Total Recorder's user-mode audio driver cannot be set as a system default playback or recording device. Under Windows Vista, the Total Recorder user-mode audio driver can record output only for those programs that do not use (or can work without using) Direct Sound and they let you select an audio device independently of the system settings (e.g. Winamp).

Unfortunately, most audio playback programs do not satisfy this criterion (e.g. Windows Media Player, Real Player) and they cannot be recorded in Software mode. To record output from these programs, use the Total Recorder kernel-mode (WDM) audio driver. Alternatively, you can record without a driver, in "Sound board" mode, by taking the following steps:

  1. Make sure your sound card has a loop-back line. Such a line allows you to record whatever is being played by a sound card. Most sound cards have a loop-back line. A typical name for this line is "Stereo Mix". Other names are "What you hear", "Wave out", "Loop back", and possibly others. The lack of a loop-back line means that recording output from other software cannot be done.

    Although your sound card has a loop-back line, it may not be enabled. For a line to become enabled under Windows Vista, take the following steps:

    a. In the Control Panel, go to the Sound item.
    b. Click on the Recording tab.
    c. Right click on the background of the tab and select "Show Disabled Devices".
    d. Find the item corresponding to the line to be enabled, right click on it, and select Enable.

  1. Open the Recording source and parameters dialog.
  2. Switch your recording source to SoundBoard and select a loop-back line from the list at the right.
  3. Click OK. Try to make a recording.

References:

Recording The Wave Out Mix in Vista

How to enable Wave Out recording in Vista