I just found out that apparently Sony requested Realtek to remove the Stereo Mix option as a recording device. Now… this TOTALLY SUCKS! I wanted to try record something with line-in as my source and I found that there is no such option on my laptop! My previous laptop had no such problem. WTH…. I not paying any less for this VAIO u know… so why am I being shortchanged for a Windows option? It’s not even a problem with my sound card. Totally retarded.
Anyway, for all you VAIO users out there who happen to have the same problem, here’s a suggested solution for you.
- Download the program “Virtual Audio Cable” (VAC) and install it. )It’s not free but you are allowed to download a trial version just to make sure it works first.)
- If it prompts you to install a driver, install it. You need that driver.
- Once installed, turn off all you audio programs running and right click on the Volume Control on the right side of your taskbar and select “Recording Devices”.
- You will see a “Line 1″ option under your “Recording Devices” tab. Make that your default device.
- Next, open the program “Audio Repeater”. It comes with the VAC installation.
- Under “Wave In”, select “Line 1″.
- Under “Wave Out”, select “Speaker/HP (Realtek High Definition Audio”.
- Click on the “Start” button.
- Now you can play something just to check if you can hear any sound coming out from your speakers.
- A simple program for line-in recording would be the Sound Recorder bundled with Windows. Just click “Start Recording” and play the sound you want to record from your favourite Audio Player.
Hope this works for you. Drop me a comment if this has helped. 
November 14, 2008
Okay, found this post by Google Blog search and was searching for mine too. Used keywords : stereo mix. You are “geek grrl” and that is so cool. I am subscribing to your site for more good technology and to see how you are doing.
Laptop STEREO MIX can be simulated with software that is a success on my compaq presario notebook http://is.gd/7sBn
Wesley Millers last blog post..Vista Laptops: the Sound of Music Enabled with VAC
November 21, 2008
Very usefull this post
thanks from Brazil!
January 30, 2009
Deborah –
Thanks a lot for writing this article. I make laptop music and sampling directly from the windows mix is a major part of what I do. Big help!
Thanks –
Brian Meyer
February 19, 2009
Hi there, I’d really appreciate some guidance. It seems I’m so close, it took me a while to find a solution like yours. I’ve successfully installed VAC, I know this because it appears in the device manager. Within Sound properties under recording tab I still don’t see any other recording device other than ‘Microphone Realtek Audio’, even with ‘Show disabled devices’ AND ‘Show disconnected devices’ checked. I’ve got an Sony FW Vaio with vista home premium SP1 32. Thanks. Liking the music btw.
February 20, 2009
Hi Jb,
Where did you get you copy of VAC from? I’m not so sure what’s wrong, but maybe there was something wrong with the driver installation. Maybe you could try to uninstall it and install it again. If it still doesn’t work, then it’s most likely a problem with your copy of VAC.
March 3, 2009
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April 19, 2009
Hey there, haven’t tried your solution yet but I can’t believe I have spent £800GBP on a Sony laptop and it lacks the two basic functions I use every day – recording “what U hear” (stereo-mix) and line-in! I never thought to check because it seemed obvious to me that any machine manufactured in 2009 would have such basic functions (my 2005 Acer is much better!) Thanks in advance, off to try….
April 20, 2009
Hi
i failed to use this software to record the music that i play while singing in mic
i’m only able to record the music only or the mic only
any suggestions?
April 20, 2009
I’m sorry, but i think you can only choose to record from line in or the mic one at a time. I’m not very sure about this though.
May 3, 2009
Hey,
I’m having problem configuring Virtual audio cable with shoutcast radio, I’m a dj and want to broadcast voice chats from skype directly to the radio station,
Please note that I broadcast music to a shoutcast radio station and then sign in to take the calls and voice chats.
If any one can demonstrate ‘how to configure the VAC’ to broadcast live calls from skype to a connected shoutcast server (from winamp shoutcast dsp) willb e a great help.
Thanks
May 4, 2009
Hi!
Thank you so much for this info! I was pulling my hair out over this problem. I can’t believe that Sony don’t have a warning on their product stating – DON’T BUY IF YOU ARE A MUSICIAN!!!
At last I am up and running and recording. Thank you soo soooooo much
Love
Lisa xxx
June 23, 2009
Debbie, thanks for your article on the VAIO not having a line in. I found you post while researching the ability to record from vinyl records.
If I use VAC, by what method (cables?) will I get input from a stereo amplifier to the PC?
June 23, 2009
Hi Joe,
I’ve only tried recording music which was played on the laptop itself. I’m not sure if you can input external audio. If I’m not wrong, you will need a 3.5mm stereo line-in cable like this:
https://www.haldexdirect.com.au/index.php/page/shop/flypage/product_id/55/category_id/820c713823b8f8c53e2997524def1d6f/offset/0?ps_session=22fbcff1cf907137abbdc54c91098cf2
You will need to have a line-in port on your laptop. Some laptop’s mic-in doubles as a line-in… but as far as I know, the one on the Vaio doesn’t.
August 2, 2009
Hi Deborah !
thank you for this tip – it seem so logical
and it was easy to configure
I did everything exactly as you described
and audio repeater indicates that sound is played ( wave in and out-displays are dancing up and down)
I also hear the sound
BUT
somehow
in my recording software nothing is recognized
(I am using camtasia and a vaio aw)
do I have to save changes in audio repeater or in virtual audio cable?
I tried to record with audio repeater working in the background, too
any ideas?
THANK YOU
btw : very nice music
had a great time reading through and installing all this and it would be the top if finally it works
but already it was a nice experience
greetings from germany
September 7, 2009
I have a sony vaio with no stereo mix.I want to be able to play music in the music chat rooms. ( Example Pal Talk ) Will the above program allow me to do that.I don’t want to record music just play my own music in the chat rooms.
Thank You
September 7, 2009
Sorry i forgot to add, will this program allow me to play music and talk on the mic at the same time.Thats what i would like to do.
September 16, 2009
And I was S-O-O-O-O close!
Downloaded the Virtual Cable thingy…installed and all went well WITH THE EXCEPTION of the one driver you need. It’s being blocked by Windows since it is “unsigned.” (sigh)
Very disappointing.