With standard Windows 7 sound I could:
1. Output sound from BIAB, Audacity, etc. 2. Input sound from a stereo {tape, cd, turntable, another system). 3. Input midi using a Yamaha midi-usb device
The only problem being that, due to the latency of the Microsoft synth wave table, it was very difficult to input a melody line to BIAB. ( It was much easier if you slowed down the tempo.)
I had some problems with sound on Widows 7. To me, it seemed like the solution would be to add a sound card. (No problems on XP.)
So I tried my old XP sound cards Soundblaster, Xtreme, Turtle Island, but they would not work under Windows 7. Of course there are drivers for each of these, but I couldn't get them to work. So, I posted the problem on the BIAB forum. I very quickly got two answers. The first said that Audiophile 192 was the answer and the second agreed with the first. So I spent the big bucks for the Audiophile 192. Of course I had to go online for a Windows 7 driver. It took me all day to finish (I thought) the installation. In summary, I could now (1) output sound (3) input midi directly without the Yamaha midi-usb device but (2) I could not input sound. Actually, I could see the sound in the M-Audio control board but it wouldn't reach Audicity. In the online help I found the following:
": Why is there no Record what you hear function with M-Audio hardware?
:The feature to Record what you hear is done with the use of the Windows kernel mixer. M-Audio device drivers bypass the Windows kernel mixer in order to maintain the integrity of the audio and reduce latency. Because the Windows kernel mixer is bypassed, there can be no "Record what you hear" feature.
As an alternative, you can use software to perform the same function as Record what you hear.Virtual Audio Cable and Audio Hijack (Mac) are examples of such software."
So, I downloaded the VAC application, which has a free trial period. This program required an additional application (I forget the name).
At this point I had enough. It would be difficult to return the Audiophile soundboard (online order) so I'm repacking it and putting it on the shelf. I'll just eat the 120$. I'm going to use the Windows 7 sound as is. When I want to enter a melody to a song by midi, I'll slow the tempo and use the Yamaha midi-usb interface. This project has consumed days of my time for nothing. For any more attempts at using a soundboard, I'll wait until Windows 7 support appears on the box before I purchase it.