How to Record Sound on Your PC

Sound Recorder is a free recording accessory that comes with Windows and can record sounds on your computer. This simple program can convert audio files on CD or your hard drive to .wav or .wma files and convert MIDI files to sound files. You can also use Sound Recorder to record sound using a microphone. While Sound Recorder is very basic, it can be customized to change the volume and the source of the sound input.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Directional microphone

Record Sound From a Microphone

1. Purchase a directional microphone that can attach to your computer. Attach your microphone to the microphone port on the onboard audio or on the sound card on the back of your computer. This port usually has a small picture of a microphone on it. Open "Sound and Audio Devices Properties" in Control Panel. Click the "Voice" tab. Under "Voice Recording," select the sound device your microphone is connected to.

2. Click "Volume." Select "Microphone." Close the volume window and exit "Sound and Audio Devices Properties."

3. Start "Sound Recorder." Click the "Record" button. Do a brief volume test by speaking into the microphone. If the volume levels are too high or too low, reopen "Sound and Audio Devices Properties" to adjust them. Start recording, and press the "Record" button again when you're finished.

Record Sound from a CD or File

4. Click "Start," "Control Panel" and "Sounds, Speech and Audio Devices." Select "Sounds and Audio Devices." Click the "Audio" tab. Under "Sound Recording," select the entry that corresponds to your sound card. If you're uncertain which item is your sound card, check the user manual for your computer or check to see whether an upgrade sound card has been installed. Click "Volume." Adjust the volume level. Select "CD/Video in." Close the volume window and click "OK."

5. Play a sound file you'd like to record from CD or from your hard drive in Windows Media Player. Click "Start," "All Programs," "Accessories," "Entertainment" and "Sound Recorder." Press the "Record" button.

6. Watch inside the Sound Recorder window for green sound bars. These bars indicate that Sound Recorder is detecting sound. It also indicates the volume level of the input. If the volume level isn't right, return to the "Audio" tab in the "Sound and Audio Devices Properties" window and click "Volume." Adjust the volume input level until there is a small space above and below the bars. After the sound or MIDI file finishes playing, press "Record" again.

Tips & Warnings

• Certain computers may not support the feature to record sound directly from CD or from a file. If Sound Recorder doesn't register the sounds playing in Windows Media Player, roll back the audio driver by clicking "Start" and right-clicking "My Computer." Click the "Hardware" tab and "Device Manager." Select "Sound, Video and Game Controllers." Select your audio device from the list and select "Properties." Select the "Driver" tab and click "Roll back driver." Some recording problems can be solved by downloading an update from the manufacturer of your computer or sound device. Sound Recorder defaults to a 60-second file length. To make the sound file longer, let the program record for the full length, then hit the "Record" button again. Continue this process until the file is as long as you need. Save the file, then rewind Sound Recorder back to the beginning and record the sounds from CD or the hard drive.
• Never violate the copyright of any commercial recording by creating illegal copies.

Resources

• Shop for directional microphones