How to Record Audio From My PC

External recording devices aren't necessary to record computer sounds.

Recording audio internally from a computer can be frustrating and tricky. Without the use of a microphone or camera, it may seem impossible to copy such internal sounds a computer makes. These sound may need to be used for a film project, or to mix into a song during the editing process. However, recording internal computer sounds can be done without the use of cameras and outside mics. Upon recording the internal audio, these sounds can be used for different media projects requiring the use of such sounds.

Things You'll Need

• Music player software

Instructions

1. Open the "Control Panel" menu to access the "Sound" control center for the computer. Select the "Start" menu located at the top or bottom of the desktop screen, and click on the "Control Panel" bar to open it. A new screen will appear with different control centers. Select the "Hardware and Sound" menu, followed by the "Sound" option to access the speakers and recording devices.

2. Click on the "Record" tab in the sound window that has opened. Active and inactive recording device icons will appear in the screen. Click on the "Stereo Mix" icon to enable the internal computer recorder. If this option isn't available, right click on the window background and select "Show Disabled Devices." The "Stereo Mix" icon will appear.

3. Set the "Stereo Mix" device as the main recording source. Right click on the icon once, and select "Enable" to permit it to record. Right click on the "Stereo Mix" icon again, and select "Set as Default Device" to make it the main recording source. Select "OK" upon completion and close the sound window and the control panel.

4. Select the "Sound Recorder" from the "Start" menu. Click on the "Start" menu icon, and select the "All Programs" option. From the new program list that appears, click on "Accessories," followed by the "Sound Recorder" program. A floating hub will appear on the desktop with a "Start Recording" button and a time code bar.

5. Launch the program containing the audio desired to record. Select the "Start Recording" button on the recording hub, and play the audio. The sounds played by the program will automatically be recoded by the sound recorder. Click on the "Stop Recording" button to cease the recording process.

6. Save the file in the window that appears once the recording has stopped. Name the file and select a destination to save it in. Click on the "Save" button upon completion, and play the file in an audio program such as Windows Media Player to ensure that the audio has recorded as desired.

References

• Flex Music: How to Record Audio/Sound That is Already Playing in My PC?
• How To Enable Wave Out Recording In Vista
• Vista 4 Beginners: Sound Recorder