The Recording Tab shows all input devices that Windows can see and hence what Zone can use.
If there are no input devices try right clicking on the window and check Show disabled devices.
You may have a Stereo Mix that can be enabled and made the default device.
If you have a device that shows as Disconnected, you can plug in a 1/8"TRS cable and Windows will accept it even if the other end goes nowhere.
Best practice is to have the onboard sound card be the "Default Device" for Windows.
Since it is attached to the motherboard it will always be present at startup.
USB or AOIP (Audio Over IP) sound devices have to load into Windows and if the device is not ready when Zone reads the list of devices, the order of the devices will change.
Regardless of which device is set to default, the Zone settings can assign any device to any function.
Setting Up Devices:
Choose the first device on the list by double-clicking it or clicking it and clicking Properties.
On the General tab you can optionally rename the device. This can be helpful for quick assignment changes if necessary.
On the Listen tab make sure the Listen to this device box is NOT checked. Otherwise you may get a "flange" sound or echo on recording.
Also you never want any power management to affect the sound card, USB, or network in a broadcast computer.
On the Levels tab you can adjust the volume of each input device.
The Advanced tab is the key.
The image above is an example of what a Windows update does to my sound card.
It left it at 16-bit, but changed the sample rate to 48K.
Below is an image of the correct settings.
You do not want exclusive control turned on because Zone can share the device with another program like Adobe Audition.
And you do not want the sound device to attempt to add any enhancements. Clean audio is the best audio.
After you adjust the first device, repeat for all remaining devices.
Repeat as necessary:
You should be prepared to repeat this process every time you install a Windows Update.
