The simplest way to record audio on your computer

Most computers come with built-in recording software you can use right now without buying anything. On Windows, the app is called Voice Recorder (search for it in the Start menu). On Mac, it's QuickTime Player (find it in Applications > Utilities). Both let you record sound from your microphone, save the file, and play it back.

If you want more control—like editing the recording, adding effects, or recording multiple audio sources at once—you'll need a dedicated audio recording program. The most common free option is Audacity, which runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Audacity lets you record, trim, adjust volume, and export your audio in different formats.

Before you start, check that your microphone is plugged in and working. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select "Open Sound settings," then scroll down to "Input" and click "Manage sound devices" to see if your microphone is listed and active. On Mac, go to System Settings > Sound and check that your microphone appears under "Input."

Key Takeaways

  • Windows comes with Voice Recorder and Mac comes with QuickTime Player—both are free and require no setup beyond plugging in a microphone.
  • Audacity is a free, downloadable program that gives you editing tools like trimming, volume adjustment, and format conversion that built-in apps don't offer.
  • Before recording, verify your microphone is connected and shows as active in your computer's sound settings.
  • Different recording programs save files in different formats (MP3, WAV, M4A), so check what format you need before you choose your software.

Recording with Windows Voice Recorder

Open the Start menu and type "Voice Recorder." Click the app when it appears. You'll see a microphone icon in the center of the window—click it to start recording. Your computer will capture everything your microphone picks up. Click the microphone icon again to stop.

The recording appears in a list below the record button with a timestamp. Click the three dots next to any recording to rename it, delete it, or open the folder where it's saved. Voice Recorder saves files as M4A format, which plays on most devices and media players. If you need to convert it to MP3 or WAV, you'll need a separate program like Audacity.

Recording with Mac QuickTime Player

Open Applications, go to Utilities, and double-click QuickTime Player. At the top, click File > New Audio Recording. You'll see a red record button in the center of the window. Click it to start capturing audio from your microphone. Click the stop button (which replaces the record button) when you're done.

A new window opens showing your recording. Click File > Save to choose where to store it and what to name it. QuickTime saves audio as M4A by default. If you need MP3 or another format, use Audacity to convert it after recording.

Using Audacity for more detailed recording and editing

read Audacity from audacityteam.org (it's free and open-source). Install it like any other program. When you open Audacity, you'll see a toolbar at the top with a red circle (record button) and a blue square (stop button). Before recording, check the dropdown menus: make sure the input device shows your microphone, and the recording channels are set to "Mono" (one channel) or "Stereo" (two channels) depending on what you need.

Click the red record button to start. Audacity displays a waveform—a visual representation of the sound—as you record. Click the blue stop button when finished. Your recording stays in the Audacity window as an editable project. You can trim sections by selecting them and pressing Delete, adjust volume with the Amplify tool (Effect > Amplify), or add fade-in and fade-out effects.

When you're ready to save, go to File > Export and choose your format: MP3, WAV, or M4A. WAV is uncompressed and larger but highest quality. MP3 is smaller and plays everywhere. M4A is a middle ground. Name your file and click Export.

Recording audio from other sources on your computer

If you want to record what's playing on your computer—like a video, a song, or a video call—you need to route that audio into your recording software. This is called system audio capture or stereo mix.

On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select "Open Sound settings." Scroll to "Advanced" and click "Volume mixer." Look for an app that's currently playing sound and check its volume. Then go back and look for "Stereo Mix" in your sound devices. If it's there, right-click it and select "Enable." In Audacity, set the input device to "Stereo Mix" before recording. If Stereo Mix doesn't appear, your audio interface doesn't support it—you may need to update your audio drivers or use a different method.

On Mac, system audio capture is more complicated because macOS doesn't have a built-in stereo mix. You can use a free tool like Soundflower (a virtual audio device) or record using QuickTime's screen recording feature, which captures audio alongside video. Open QuickTime, go to File > New Screen Recording, click the dropdown arrow next to the record button, and select your microphone or system audio source.

Choosing the right file format for your needs

The format you choose affects file size, sound quality, and where you can use the recording. WAV files are uncompressed, so they're large but sound the best—use this if you're editing or archiving. MP3 files are compressed and much smaller, and they play on almost every device and platform—use this if you're sharing or uploading online. M4A files are Apple's compressed format, smaller than WAV but larger than MP3, and they work on most modern devices.

If you recorded with Voice Recorder or QuickTime, you got M4A. If you need MP3, open the file in Audacity, go to File > Export > Export as MP3, and save it. Audacity may ask you to read the MP3 encoder the first time—follow the link and install it, then try exporting again.

Troubleshooting common recording problems

If your microphone isn't showing up in your recording software, go to your sound settings and check that it's listed as the active input device. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon and select "Open Sound settings," then scroll to "Input" and click "Manage sound devices." On Mac, go to System Settings > Sound and check the "Input" tab. If your microphone still doesn't appear, try unplugging it and plugging it back in, or restart your computer.

If you're recording but hearing nothing when you play it back, the microphone may not have been set as the input device when you started. Stop the recording, check your sound settings, select the correct microphone, and record again. If the recording is very quiet, check that the microphone's volume slider in your sound settings is turned up, and that the microphone itself isn't muted (many have a physical mute button).

If Audacity won't record, make sure you've selected the correct input device in the dropdown at the top of the window before clicking record. If the dropdown shows "Not selected," click it and choose your microphone. If you're trying to record system audio and it's not working, your computer may not support stereo mix—try using QuickTime's screen recording instead, or record your microphone separately and sync it later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record a video call or Zoom meeting?

Yes. Most video call apps have a built-in record button—look for it in the app's menu during the call. If the app doesn't have one, you can use Audacity to record your microphone while the call is happening, or use QuickTime's screen recording on Mac (which captures both video and audio). On Windows, use the built-in Xbox Game Bar by pressing Windows key + G, then click the record button.

What if I want to record two people talking at the same time?

If both people are in the same room, one microphone will pick up both voices. If they're on different devices, you need to route both audio sources into your recording software. On a video call, record the call itself using the app's built-in record feature. If recording a conversation between two computers, you may need a mixer or virtual audio routing software like Soundflower on Mac or VB-Audio Virtual Cable on Windows.

How do I make my recording louder?

Open the file in Audacity, select all the audio (Ctrl+A on Windows, Cmd+A on Mac), then go to Effect > Amplify. Increase the dB value—start with 3 to 6 dB and listen to the result. If it sounds distorted, undo and use a smaller number. Export the file when you're happy with the volume.

Can I record audio on a Chromebook?

Yes, but Chromebooks don't have traditional desktop apps. Use a web-based recorder like Vocaroo.com or Chrome's built-in voice recorder (search "voice recorder" in the Chrome Web Store). These work in your browser and save files to your Google Drive or let you read them directly.

What's the difference between mono and stereo recording?

Mono is one channel—all sound comes from a single source. Stereo is two channels—sound can come from left and right speakers separately, creating a wider, more spacious sound. For recording a single voice or instrument, mono is fine and uses less storage. For music or recordings where you want left-right separation, use stereo.