Hello all,
I’ve been looking for an external USB soundcard that allows me to use my microphone, use stereomix, and has line-in functionality since I enjoy recording from external sources. That’s it. That’s basically all I need, so info on a relatively cheap card that can do these things well would be much appreciated. The soundcard on my vista laptop is absolutely horrible and lacks these basic features. I really hope some of you can help as I have no idea what to buy. Thanks guys!
![]() |
Patch reliability is unclear, but widespread attacks make patching prudent. Go ahead and patch, but watch out for potential problems. |
SIGN IN | Not a member? | REGISTER | PLUS MEMBERSHIP |
-
Looking for USB soundcard with these features.
Home » Forums » AskWoody support » Windows » Windows Vista, XP and earlier » Questions: Vista, XP back to 3.1 » Looking for USB soundcard with these features.
- This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 15 years ago.
AuthorTopicWSmusicman2004
AskWoody LoungerMarch 25, 2010 at 10:19 am #467700Viewing 2 reply threadsAuthorReplies-
WSGfamily
AskWoody LoungerMarch 25, 2010 at 12:36 pm #1215085Hello all,
I’ve been looking for an external USB soundcard that allows me to use my microphone, use stereomix, and has line-in functionality since I enjoy recording from external sources. That’s it. That’s basically all I need, so info on a relatively cheap card that can do these things well would be much appreciated. The soundcard on my vista laptop is absolutely horrible and lacks these basic features. I really hope some of you can help as I have no idea what to buy. Thanks guys!For some reason related to the RIAA control of the music industry and imposing rules on what people are allowed to do, Vista is generally shipping with restricted functionality on Soundcards. As a result of theirf lobbying , Stereo Mix is often disabled.
Before you buy yourself a new soundcard, try this.
Go to the sound controller in Control Panel and right click. to bring up the properties.
Select ‘Display Disabled Devices’ and ‘Display Disconnected Devices’This may well bring up the missing ‘Stereo Mix’ device, which you can then enable.
-
WSmusicman2004
AskWoody LoungerMarch 25, 2010 at 2:21 pm #1215100Hello Gfamily
yup I’ve tried that in the past. Perhaps I should’ve clarified. my card has stereomix, but it sounds all distorted and is quite unusable. also it doesn’t support line-in which is a feature that even my extremely old XP computer had. Since this machine is a laptop, I’ll need an external card. I’ve even tried registry hacks and it made no difference. The only options that show up for my soundcard are microphone and stereomix, and vista won’t even let me use both simultaneously. If you know of any cards, please let me know as I’m quite desperate hehe. -
WSTonistein
AskWoody LoungerApril 13, 2010 at 9:37 am #1218087I have been using this usb sound device called Musical SX from Creative for 2 years. It has 2 line in, 1 line out, 1 SPDIF in, 1 jack each for headphone & mike. Adjust level for input & headphone usage & volume control. I have one more set which I used as an amplifier for my Dvd player & TV. You can connect 5.1 series speakers too. It’s reasonably priced too.
Viewing 2 reply threads -

Plus Membership
Donations from Plus members keep this site going. You can identify the people who support AskWoody by the Plus badge on their avatars.
AskWoody Plus members not only get access to all of the contents of this site -- including Susan Bradley's frequently updated Patch Watch listing -- they also receive weekly AskWoody Plus Newsletters (formerly Windows Secrets Newsletter) and AskWoody Plus Alerts, emails when there are important breaking developments.
Get Plus!
Welcome to our unique respite from the madness.
It's easy to post questions about Windows 11, Windows 10, Win8.1, Win7, Surface, Office, or browse through our Forums. Post anonymously or register for greater privileges. Keep it civil, please: Decorous Lounge rules strictly enforced. Questions? Contact Customer Support.
Search Newsletters
Search Forums
View the Forum
Search for Topics
Recent Topics
-
Excel Macro — ask for filename to be saved
by
nhsj
22 minutes ago -
Trying to backup Win 10 computer to iCloud
by
SheltieMom
7 hours, 51 minutes ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26200.5570 released to DEV
by
joep517
21 hours, 37 minutes ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26120.3941 (24H2) released to BETA
by
joep517
23 hours, 25 minutes ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.5305 (23H2) released to BETA
by
joep517
23 hours, 27 minutes ago -
No April cumulative update for Win 11 23H2?
by
Peobody
1 day, 1 hour ago -
AugLoop.All (TEST Augmentation Loop MSIT)
by
LarryK
23 hours, 58 minutes ago -
Boot Sequence for Dell Optiplex 7070 Tower
by
Serge Carniol
1 day, 15 hours ago -
OTT Upgrade Windows 11 to 24H2 on Unsupported Hardware
by
bbearren
1 day, 18 hours ago -
Inetpub can be tricked
by
Susan Bradley
2 hours, 2 minutes ago -
How merge Outlook 2016 .pst file w/into newly created Outlook 2024 install .pst?
by
Tex265
12 hours, 30 minutes ago -
FBI 2024 Internet Crime Report
by
Alex5723
1 day, 22 hours ago -
Perplexity CEO says its browser will track everything users do online
by
Alex5723
1 day, 10 hours ago -
Login issues with Windows Hello
by
CWBillow
2 days, 9 hours ago -
How to get into a manual setup screen in 2024 Outlook classic?
by
Tex265
1 day, 21 hours ago -
Linux : ARMO rootkit “Curing”
by
Alex5723
2 days, 21 hours ago -
Employee monitoring app leaks 21 million screenshots in real time
by
Alex5723
2 days, 21 hours ago -
Google AI is now hallucinating idioms
by
Alex5723
2 days, 21 hours ago -
april update
by
69800
1 day, 1 hour ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 27842 released to Canary
by
joep517
2 days, 22 hours ago -
Quick Fix for Slowing File Explorer
by
Drcard:))
2 days, 22 hours ago -
WuMgr not loading?
by
LHiggins
1 day, 18 hours ago -
Word crashes when accessing Help
by
CWBillow
5 hours, 26 minutes ago -
New Microsoft Nag — Danger! Danger! sign-in to your Microsoft Account
by
EricB
2 days, 22 hours ago -
Blank Inetpub folder
by
Susan Bradley
2 days, 19 hours ago -
Google : Extended Repair Program for Pixel 7a
by
Alex5723
3 days, 8 hours ago -
Updates seem to have broken Microsoft Edge
by
rebop2020
2 days, 19 hours ago -
Wait command?
by
CWBillow
3 days, 2 hours ago -
Malwarebytes 5 Free version manual platform updates
by
Bob99
3 days, 15 hours ago -
inetpub : Microsoft’s patch for CVE-2025–21204 introduces vulnerability
by
Alex5723
3 days, 22 hours ago
Recent blog posts
Key Links
Want to Advertise in the free newsletter? How about a gift subscription in honor of a birthday? Send an email to sb@askwoody.com to ask how.
Mastodon profile for DefConPatch
Mastodon profile for AskWoody
Home • About • FAQ • Posts & Privacy • Forums • My Account
Register • Free Newsletter • Plus Membership • Gift Certificates • MS-DEFCON Alerts
Copyright ©2004-2025 by AskWoody Tech LLC. All Rights Reserved.