Checking access to the sound card

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Checking access to the sound card

**SC** Only applicable to wattmeter use if you are using triggered readings.

In order for the program to collect readings you must first check that the software in your computer is 'listening to' the desired input. These instructions are for using the standard Windows mixer application. If you have another mixer application then adapt the instructions for your particular program.

Start the Windows Mixer application - usually by Start/ Programs/ Accessories/ Entertainment or Multimedia/ Volume Control. When the mixer application is running switch to the Recording controls by using Options/ Properties/ Recording.

Make sure that the desired input is enabled for either Line-in or Microphone (a tick in the check-box labelled Select) and that its volume slider is at or near maximum.

Now switch to Playback using Options/ Properties/ Playback. Adjust the master volume slider to a level that will give a comfortable listening level. Adjust the volume slider for the remaining controls to at or near maximum.

Connect the line-in or microphone input of your sound card to any source of audio and start PolarPlot. The audio source may be your receiver, a tape recorder, CD player or audio generator etc. Click the yellow Choose Input button on PolarPlot's screen and select the same input you used for the audio source; Line-in or Microphone.

Turn on the audio device and click the 'Calibrate Input' button. If all is well you should see a series of points plotted on the screen and a number on the left-hand box above the calibrate button. You can vary the line-in or microphone volume by using the left-hand slider at the top right of the screen.

If you do not see any points plotted then go back and re-check a) the connecting leads between audo device and sound card, and b) the software settings of the mixer to ensure you have selected the correct input.