How to Record your Computer Audio with Audacity

You can record your Computer Audio easily with the use of Audacity. Audacity is a free program that allows you to record sound, including your voice, with the use of a microphone. There are a few steps to take, however it is fairly easy to follow along. 

1. Install and open Audacity.

2. Open audacity and select edit; preferences.

3. Change the Host to “Windows WASAPI”.

4. Change the recording device to the playback device/speaker/headphones that you are using, the name of it should be followed by (loopback). Then press Ok.

5. Press the red circle to begin the recording.

Alternative Method

1. If the above method doesn’t work there is another way that you can try.

2. Right click on your sounds icon and choose “sounds” or “recording devices”. If you don’t have these options choose to open sound settings then click “Sound Control Panel.”

3. Select the recording tab at the top.

4. Right click in a blank space and choose to show disabled devices. If it already has a tick then it should already be on.

5. Locate the Stereo Mix device and right click; Enable.

6. Once enabled make sure you select the device and choose to open the properties.

7. Select the “Listen” tab and make sure that “listen to this device” is not unchecked. If it isn’t then uncheck it and press apply.

8. Then press Ok and Ok again to close the recording device window..

9. Go back to Audacity and select to open the Preferences by going to Edit; Preferences.

10. Select the Devices category on the left, then go down to Recording Device and select stereo mix from the drop-down options.

11. Select Ok to apply the changes.

12. You can now press the red circle button to begin recording your audio.

If you want to record your computer screen or program with desktop audio you can use OBS. This program is incredibly easy to use and gives you decent control over your audio. OBS is used by gamers, streamers and broadcasters due to its simplicity and effectiveness. You can also record the video and convert the video into an audio file using VLC media player.