Guide to Recording Computer Audio with Audacity and Acethinker Audio Recorder

Recording audio from your computer's sound card can be a valuable skill for various media production needs. This guide will walk you through the process using both Audacity and Acethinker Audio Recorder, detailing the steps and tips for success.

Using Audacity to Record Computer Audio

Step 1: Install Audacity

Begin by downloading and installing Audacity from its official website. This powerful open-source tool is well-suited for audio recording and editing.

Step 2: Set Up Your Audio Device

Open the Audacity application and find the dropdown menu next to the microphone icon in the top toolbar. Here, you need to select your sound card as the recording device. If your sound card is not listed, you may need to enable it in your system's audio settings or use tools like Soundflower (for macOS) or BlackHole (for macOS).

Step 3: Configure Your Settings

Head to either the Edit Preferences or the Audacity Preferences (on macOS). Here, you can set the sample rate among other options to ensure high-quality audio recording.

Step 4: Start Recording

Make sure the audio you want to capture is ready to play. Click on the red record button (the circle with a red border) in Audacity to start your recording. If you are capturing system audio, you may need to use an audio host like WASAPI (Windows) or Soundflower (macOS) to link your sound card to Audacity.

Step 5: Stop Recording

Once you’ve captured the audio, click the stop button (the brown square) to halt the recording. Audacity will save the recording automatically, but it’s good practice to review it before finalizing.

Step 6: Edit and Export

Use Audacity's editing tools to trim, adjust volume, or apply effects as needed. Save your recording in your preferred format, such as WAV or MP3, by going to File Export.

Alternative: Recording with Acethinker Audio Recorder

If you prefer a user-friendly alternative, Acethinker Audio Recorder is an excellent choice. Here’s how to set it up:

Step 1: Install Acethinker Audio Recorder

Visit Acethinker Audio Recorder’s website and download the app for your operating system. It supports major browsers like IE, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Opera.

Step 2: Launch the Application

Click the Start button to open the audio recording app.

Step 3: Choose the Audio Source

Select the type of audio source you want to record: system sound, microphone sound, or both. This app allows you to record from multiple sources simultaneously.

Step 4: Start the Recording

Click the red button to start recording. Ensure your audio is playing properly.

Step 5: Stop and Save the Recording

Once you stop the recording, you can save it in your preferred format. Acethinker Audio Recorder supports a wide range of file types, including WAV and MP3.

Additional Tips

If you encounter issues with your sound card not being recognized, check your system tray for audio device settings and ensure that your sound card is enabled.

For Windows users, you can use Audacity to capture whatever your sound card is playing by using an audio host like WASAPI and a recording device ending with Loopback.

Both Audacity and Acethinker Audio Recorder offer robust audio recording capabilities, making them excellent tools for creating high-quality audio content for various purposes, including video production, podcasting, and more.