Stereo mix recording on T61: A summary?

[TKuser]

I read through all 13 pages of the "T61 can't record stereo mix" thread, and in the end am left a little uncertain about the workarounds and implications. Let me see if I have this right. Assume I'm only interested in Windows XP.

Some of the workarounds involved buying extra hardware, all of which have the drawback of muting the built-in speakers when in use, as well as, of course, needing to plug in a USB device in order to record stereo mix (a.k.a. "what you hear").

There is a registry hack that WILL work, but ONLY on a T61/p. It will not work on a T61.

The $30 software Virtual Audio Cable (VAC) will completely workaround the situation, on either a T61 or T61/p, if one is willing to deal with a slightly more cumbersome interface and learning curve than the simple "stereo mix" / "wave out" checkbox in the Windows audio control panel one is used to on pre-T61 models.

As an aside, the thread refers to disappointment about the mic in port quality not being stereo line in (which is the same situation on a T41), and talks about USB-based improvements for this as well, but nobody ever mentions the Advanced Mini Dock as being a solution. I use a Mini Dock on my T41 to provide a proper line in port. Will the Adv. MD accomplish the same thing on the T61? (I would want the Adv. Mini Dock anyway, for the DVI port.) And, are any workarounds needed to get "line in" to show up on the Windows audio control panel?

Thanks for any help! In the market for a new Thinkpad, and these two audio recording features are critical to me. The T61 is otherwise appealing to me (esp. if I avoid an nVidia model, use the Middleton BIOS, and perhaps even find a 4:3 screen model).

[RealBlackStuff]

Look no further, I have such a machine for sale!
FS: RARE T61 14.1" 4:3 Intel Graphics and SXGA+

[TKuser]

Fear not, I'd already had my eye on it! BUT, for the stereo mix issue...

[miro_gt]

there is that Echo Indigo IO and IOx cards (one PCMCIA and one ExpressCard) that do wonders I've heard...

[TKuser]

But I think those hardware solutions mute the built-in speakers. I'm still trying to understand if VAC completely addresses the issue and thus eliminates the need for such a hardware solution.

[miro_gt]

if the audio stuff is pretty critical to you then why not just get that professional card? .. and why worry about the built in speakers - those are crap anyways.

[Radioguy]

My T61 speakers are better than most other laptop speakers I've heard, especially MacBooks. Maybe the newer TP's have better, but I wouldn't call my T61 speakers crap.

[rumbero]

and why worry about the built in speakers - those are crap anyways.

They may be crap from an audiophile's point of view, but they do serve their purpose. Still much better than having to haul around some external speakers together with the Thinkpad.

[TKuser]

Exactly. Having these functions built into my laptop is a boon when I'm on the road doing audio stuff. I don't want to have a card permanently hanging out of a USB port just so that, when those moments come up that I need to record audio playing from my computer that I'm also listening to out the speakers, I still can.

For line in recording, I'll live with an external device, because there's no other choice (and hasn't been for a long time; my T23 had a line in port, but my T41 does not). Better that device be an Advanced Mini Dock, which I'll need to have anyway for my monitor's DVI.

So, I'm still trying to figure out: Does VAC work around the issue (of not being able to record "what you hear" in an arbitrary app on a T61) fully or not?