How to Record Any Audio from Computer

Recording audio from your computer is useful for capturing streaming music, online meetings, game sounds, or system notifications. This guide shows you how to capture any sound that plays on your PC or Mac, using built-in tools and free software. You’ll learn the steps for both Windows and macOS, plus how to troubleshoot common issues.

What You’ll Need

A computer running Windows 10/11 or macOS (any recent version).
Built-in or external microphone (only if you also want to record your voice).
Free software: Windows Voice Recorder (built-in), Audacity (free download), or QuickTime Player (built-in on Mac).
Headphones or speakers to monitor audio while recording.

Step-by-Step

Choose your recording method. For Windows, you can use the built-in Voice Recorder app, but it only captures microphone input by default. To capture system audio, you need to enable “Stereo Mix” or use a third-party tool like Audacity. On Mac, QuickTime Player can record system audio if you use a virtual audio driver like BlackHole (free).
Enable Stereo Mix on Windows (if using built-in tools). Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray, select “Sounds,” go to the “Recording” tab, right-click empty space, and check “Show Disabled Devices.” If “Stereo Mix” appears, right-click it and select “Enable.” If it doesn’t appear, your sound card may not support it; proceed with Audacity instead.
Install Audacity (recommended for Windows and Mac). Download Audacity from the official website (audacityteam.org) and install it. It’s free, open-source, and works on both platforms.
Set Audacity to capture system audio. Open Audacity. In the toolbar, next to the microphone icon, click the dropdown and choose “Windows WASAPI” (on Windows) or “BlackHole 2ch” (on Mac, after installing BlackHole). Then select the appropriate input device: for WASAPI, choose your speakers or headphones; for BlackHole, select it as the input.
Adjust recording levels. Click the microphone icon to start monitoring. Play some audio to see the level meter. Adjust the input volume slider so the meter peaks around -6 dB (green zone) without hitting the red. If it’s too low, increase the slider; if it clips (red), decrease it.
Start recording. Click the red Record button in Audacity. Play the audio you want to capture. When done, click the Stop button (black square).
Export your recording. Go to File > Export > Export as WAV or MP3. Choose a location and name, then click Save. For MP3, you may need to set the bit rate (192 kbps is a good default).
On Mac using QuickTime (without extra software). If you prefer not to install BlackHole, you can record system audio with QuickTime by using a virtual audio cable, but that requires a paid driver. The free method is to install BlackHole (see step 4) and then in QuickTime, select File > New Audio Recording, click the arrow next to the record button, and choose BlackHole as the microphone. Then press record.

Common Mistakes

Recording from the wrong input: Many people forget to switch the input from the microphone to Stereo Mix or WASAPI. If you hear your voice but not the computer audio, you’re still using the mic.
Stereo Mix not enabled: It’s often disabled by default. If you don’t see it, your sound card might not support it, or the driver doesn’t expose it.
Clipping (distortion): If the recording sounds distorted, the input level was too high. Lower the volume and re-record.
Recording silence: If you record and get nothing, the input device is set to the wrong source or the volume is muted.
Exporting in the wrong format: WAV files are large; MP3 is more compact. Choose based on your needs.

Tips

Use a lossless format like WAV if you plan to edit further; convert to MP3 only for final distribution.
Close other apps that might play sounds (like notifications) to avoid unwanted noise in the recording.
If you want to record both system audio and your voice, set Audacity to record from Stereo Mix and use a second track with the microphone. You can then mix them later.
For long recordings, monitor the file size—WAV files take about 10 MB per minute at CD quality.
Test your setup with a short 10-second recording before committing to a long session.

Troubleshooting

No sound in the recording: Check that the input device is set to the correct source (Stereo Mix or WASAPI). Ensure the volume is not muted and the level meter is moving. If not, try restarting Audacity or your computer.
Stereo Mix option missing: Update your audio drivers from the manufacturer’s website. If it still doesn’t appear, use Audacity with WASAPI, which works on most Windows systems without needing Stereo Mix.
Recording is too quiet: Increase the input volume in Audacity or the system volume. Also check that the source audio is playing at a reasonable volume.
Distorted audio: Lower the input volume. If you’re using WASAPI, the system volume affects the recording, so reduce it if clipping occurs.
On Mac, QuickTime records only microphone: You must install BlackHole and select it as the input. If you don’t want to install software, consider using Audacity with BlackHole instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record audio from YouTube or streaming services? Yes, any audio that plays through your computer’s speakers can be captured using the methods above. However, respect copyright laws and terms of service.

Is it legal to record audio from my computer? Generally, recording audio for personal use is legal, but distributing copyrighted material without permission is not. Check your local laws.

Why is my recording silent when I use Voice Recorder on Windows? Voice Recorder only captures the microphone by default. Use Audacity or enable Stereo Mix to capture system audio.

Does recording system audio affect performance? Slightly, but modern computers handle it easily. Close unnecessary programs to avoid glitches.

Can I record audio from a specific app only? Not easily with built-in tools. Third-party apps like OBS Studio or Voicemeeter can route audio per-app, but that’s more advanced.

What’s the best format for recording? WAV for editing, MP3 for sharing. Both are supported by Audacity.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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