Recording Computer Audio: The Basic Methods

You can record audio from your computer using built-in tools, free software, or paid programs depending on what you're recording and where you want to save it. The simplest route for most people is a free recording tool that captures whatever is playing through your speakers—music, video, podcast, or a video call—without needing extra hardware. More advanced setups let you record from specific applications, mix multiple audio sources, or edit while you record.

The method you choose depends on three things: what you're recording (system audio, a microphone, or both), what operating system you use, and whether you need to edit the recording afterward. A Windows user recording a Zoom call needs a different tool than a Mac user recording music from Spotify, so this guide covers the main paths for each.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 and 11 include a built-in Game Bar that records system audio and microphone input without installing anything.
  • Mac users can use QuickTime Player to record audio from any process, or Audacity (free, cross-platform) for more control over levels and editing.
  • Recording only system audio (not your microphone) usually requires a third-party tool because most operating systems don't offer this built-in.
  • Audacity is the most widely used free option for recording and editing audio on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
  • Always check the terms of service for the process you're recording from—some platforms restrict recording of their audio.

Recording on Windows Using Game Bar

Windows 10 and 11 come with a built-in recording tool called Game Bar that works for any process, not just games. Press Windows key + G to open it. A small menu appears in the corner of your screen with a red circle (record button) and a microphone icon. Click the microphone icon first to decide whether you want to record your microphone, system audio only, or both.

Once you've set your audio source, click the red record button or press Windows key + Alt + R to start. A timer appears on screen showing how long you've been recording. When you're done, press the same key combination again or click the stop button. Your file saves automatically to your Videos folder in a subfolder called Captures, as an MP4 video file (even if you only recorded audio).

Game Bar works well for quick recordings of system audio—a song, a video, a call—but it saves everything as video, which takes up more storage than an audio-only file. If you need just the audio extracted later, you can use a free converter tool to turn the MP4 into an MP3.

Recording on Mac Using QuickTime Player

Mac's QuickTime Player can record audio from any process without additional software. Open QuickTime Player (in your Applications folder), go to File > New Audio Recording. A small window opens with a red record button and a dropdown menu showing your audio input source. Click the dropdown and select Internal Microphone if you want to record your voice, or look for a Soundflower or BlackHole option if you've installed one of those virtual audio devices (more on that below).

Click the red button to start recording. When you're done, click the stop button (the black square that replaces the red circle). You'll be prompted to save the file—choose a location and name it. QuickTime saves as M4A format, which is smaller than video and works on most devices and applications.

QuickTime records your microphone or a virtual audio device, but not system audio directly. To record audio playing from Spotify, YouTube, or another app, you need to install a virtual audio device first. Soundflower (Mac only, free) or BlackHole (Mac only, free) route your computer's audio through a virtual "cable" that QuickTime can then record.

Using Audacity for More Control

Audacity is a free, open-source audio recording and editing program that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. read it from audacityteam.org. It gives you more control over recording levels, lets you see the audio waveform as you record, and includes basic editing tools so you can trim, cut, or adjust volume without opening a separate program.

Open Audacity and look at the top toolbar. You'll see a dropdown menu showing your recording device (usually your microphone) and another showing your playback device. To record system audio on Windows, you may need to enable Stereo Mix in your sound settings first—right-click the speaker icon in your system tray, select Sound settings, scroll to Advanced, and look for Stereo Mix. On Mac, use Soundflower or BlackHole as described above, then select it in Audacity's playback dropdown.

Once your input is set, click the red record button (or press R) to start. The waveform appears in real time as audio comes in. Click the pause button to pause without stopping, or the stop button (black square) to end the recording. You can then edit—select a section and delete it, adjust volume with the Envelope Tool, or export as MP3, WAV, or other formats.

Recording Video Calls and Meetings

Most video call platforms—Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Discord—have built-in recording features. The easiest approach is to use the platform's own record button rather than recording your system audio, because the platform handles audio levels and usually saves the file in a format ready to share.

In Zoom, click the Record button during a call to save locally to your computer, or click the dropdown next to it to record to the cloud. In Teams, click the three dots in the call controls and select Start recording. In Google Meet, click the three dots and choose Record on Meet. Each platform stores recordings in a different location—Zoom saves to your Documents folder by default, Teams saves to OneDrive, and Google Meet saves to your Google Drive.

If the platform doesn't allow recording or you need to record a call from an app that doesn't have a built-in option, use Game Bar on Windows or Audacity on Mac. Be aware that recording someone without their knowledge may be illegal depending on where you live—some places require all parties to consent to being recorded.

Choosing Between System Audio and Microphone

System audio is whatever your computer is playing through its speakers: music, video, a podcast, or a call. Your microphone is your voice. Most recording situations need one or the other, but sometimes you need both.

Record system audio only when you want to capture music, a video, or a call without your own voice. Record microphone only when you're narrating over silence or want to record a voicemail. Record both when you're on a video call and want to capture both sides of the conversation, or when you're recording a tutorial where you speak over screen audio.

Game Bar on Windows lets you choose easily from its menu. Audacity shows separate input dropdowns for microphone and system audio (though you may need to set up a virtual audio device first on Mac). QuickTime on Mac records one input at a time, so if you need both, you'll need to record twice and combine them in Audacity or another editor.

File Formats and Storage

Different recording tools save in different formats. Game Bar saves as MP4 (video). QuickTime saves as M4A (audio). Audacity can export as MP3, WAV, FLAC, or OGG. MP3 is the most widely compatible—it plays on any device and takes up less space than WAV. WAV is larger but preserves more audio detail, useful if you plan to edit heavily. M4A is Apple's format and works well on Apple devices and most modern players.

Check how much free space your computer has before recording long sessions. A one-hour MP3 takes roughly 50 to 60 MB. A one-hour WAV file takes 600 MB or more. A one-hour MP4 video file (from Game Bar) takes 100 to 200 MB depending on audio quality. If you're recording to an external drive, make sure it's connected and has space before you start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record audio from YouTube or Spotify?

Yes, you can record system audio from either platform using Game Bar on Windows, or Audacity with a virtual audio device on Mac. However, check the terms of service for the platform—some restrict recording of their content. Recording for personal use is usually permitted, but sharing or redistributing the recording may violate the terms.

Why can't I hear audio while I'm recording?

When you record system audio on Mac using Soundflower or BlackHole, the audio routes through the virtual device and may not play through your speakers at the same time. Open System Preferences > Sound, select the virtual device, then open the device's settings to enable monitoring so you hear the audio while recording. On Windows with Stereo Mix, right-click the speaker icon and check that your speakers are still set as the default playback device.

What's the difference between recording and streaming?

Recording saves audio to a file on your computer that you can play back, edit, or share later. Streaming sends audio to a platform like Twitch or YouTube in real time, but doesn't automatically save a file unless the platform offers a replay or archive feature. Recording is what you do when you want to keep something; streaming is what you do when you want to broadcast live.

Do I need a special microphone to record audio?

No. Your computer's built-in microphone works fine for most recordings—voiceovers, podcasts, voice memos. If you're recording in a noisy room or need professional sound quality, an external USB microphone (plugged into your computer) will give you better results. But for learning, testing, or casual use, the built-in mic is enough.

How do I extract audio from a video file I already have?

Use Audacity or a free converter tool. In Audacity, go to File > Open and select your video file. Audacity extracts the audio and displays it as a waveform. Then go to File > Export and choose your format (MP3, WAV, etc.). Alternatively, use a free online converter like CloudConvert or Zamzar, upload your video, and read the audio file.