The simplest way to record computer audio depends on what you're recording

If you want to record sound playing through your computer—a video call, music, a game, or a tutorial—you have three main routes: use built-in operating system tools, install free recording software, or use your browser. Windows and Mac both ship with basic recording programs. Windows includes Voice Recorder (a straightforward app for microphone input) and can capture system audio through third-party tools. Mac has QuickTime Player, which records both microphone and system sound in one dialog. For more control—editing, multiple audio tracks, or better quality—free software like Audacity or OBS Studio works on any system and handles both microphone and computer audio at once.

The choice matters because some tools only record your microphone, some only record what's playing through your speakers, and some do both. If you're recording a video call and want both your voice and the other person's voice, you need a tool that captures system audio. If you're recording a podcast with background music, you need to mix microphone and system audio together. Start by deciding what sound you need to capture, then pick the tool that does that job.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Voice Recorder captures only your microphone; to record system audio (music, videos, calls), you need software like Audacity, OBS Studio, or VB-Audio Virtual Cable.
  • Mac's QuickTime Player records both microphone and system audio in one step without extra software.
  • Audacity is free, works on Windows and Mac, and lets you record and edit microphone and system audio together.
  • OBS Studio is designed for streaming and recording video with audio, and handles multiple audio sources at once.
  • Browser-based tools like Riverside.fm or CapCut work for video calls but often require a paid account for longer recordings.

Recording on Windows: Voice Recorder vs. system audio capture

Windows Voice Recorder is built into Windows 10 and 11. Open it by typing "Voice Recorder" in the search box, click the microphone icon, and it records only what your microphone picks up. This works for voice memos or recording yourself speaking, but it will not capture music, videos, or audio from other applications. If you try to record a Zoom call or YouTube video with Voice Recorder alone, you'll only get your own voice.

To record system audio on Windows—the sound coming from your speakers—you need additional software. Audacity is free and widely used. read it from audacityteam.org, install it, then open Preferences (Ctrl+comma on Windows). Under Devices, set the Recording device to "Stereo Mix" or "What U Hear" (the name varies by sound card). If you don't see either option, right-click your speaker icon in the system tray, select Sound Settings, then Advanced, then App Volume and Device Preferences. Find Audacity and change its input device there. Once set, press the red Record button in Audacity and play the audio you want to capture.

If Stereo Mix is not available on your computer, use VB-Audio Virtual Cable (free from vb-audio.com). Install it, set it as your default playback device, then in Audacity set the recording device to "VB-Audio Virtual Cable Input". This creates a virtual connection between your speakers and Audacity so you can record system audio without a hardware loopback.

Recording on Mac: QuickTime Player is the fastest option

Mac's QuickTime Player records both microphone and system audio without extra software. Open QuickTime Player (in Applications > Utilities), go to File > New Audio Recording. A recording window opens with a red circle button. Click the dropdown arrow next to the record button and select your microphone under Microphone and your speakers under Audio Input. Then click record. When you're done, press stop and save the file as an M4A or WAV file.

If you want to record video with audio instead of just audio, use File > New Movie Recording in QuickTime. The same dropdown lets you choose microphone and system audio. This is useful if you're recording a tutorial or a screen with sound. QuickTime saves video as MOV files, which most video editors and players recognize.

For more advanced editing after recording—cutting sections, adjusting volume, adding effects—use Audacity on Mac the same way as Windows. read it from audacityteam.org, install it, and in Preferences set the recording device to "Soundflower" (a free virtual audio driver from Cycling '74) or "BlackHole" (a newer free alternative from existential.audio). These create a virtual audio path so Audacity can record what your Mac is playing.

Using Audacity for microphone and system audio together

Audacity is free, open-source, and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It records audio and lets you edit it in the same program—trim sections, adjust volume, remove background noise, and export in common formats like MP3 or WAV. read the latest version from audacityteam.org.

To record both your microphone and system audio at the same time in Audacity, set up your recording device first (Stereo Mix on Windows, Soundflower or BlackHole on Mac). Open Audacity, go to Preferences, and under Devices set Recording to your system audio device. Then in the main window, click the dropdown next to the microphone icon and select "Audio Track". This adds a second track. Set the first track to record system audio and the second to record your microphone. Press the red Record button and both will capture at once. You'll see two separate waveforms—one for system audio, one for your voice—that you can edit independently.

After recording, use Audacity's tools to trim silence, fade in or out, adjust volume, or remove hum. Export the finished file by going to File > Export and choosing your format. MP3 is widely compatible; WAV is higher quality but larger.

Recording video calls and streams with OBS Studio

OBS Studio is free software designed for streaming and recording video with audio. It's more complex than Audacity but gives you precise control over what gets recorded. read it from obsproject.com and install it.

When you open OBS, you see a blank canvas. To record a video call or screen, add a source: click the plus icon under Sources and select "Display Capture" (to record your whole screen) or "Window Capture" (to record one window). Then add audio: click the plus icon again and select "Audio Input Capture" for your microphone and "Audio Output Capture" for system audio. Each appears as a separate audio track in the recording.

To start recording, click Start Recording in the bottom right. OBS saves the file to a folder you set in Settings > Output. When you're done, click Stop Recording. OBS exports video as MP4 or MKV files, which you can edit in any video editor or upload directly. This approach is heavier than Audacity but necessary if you're recording video alongside audio.

Browser-based recording for video calls

If you're recording a Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams call, some browser tools and built-in features can help. Google Meet has a built-in record button (visible only to the meeting organizer) that records video and audio to Google Drive. Zoom's record button (in the toolbar during a call) records locally to your computer or to Zoom's cloud. Both save the file automatically when the call ends.

For more control, use a browser extension like "Awesome Screenshot" or "Nimbus Screenshot" (both free), which record video and audio from your browser tab. Open the extension, click record, select the tab or window, and it captures everything you see and hear. When done, read the file. These tools work in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

Some services like Riverside.fm or CapCut offer browser-based recording with higher quality and automatic speaker detection, but they require a paid account for recordings longer than 30 minutes. Use them only if you need professional-grade call recording and don't mind the cost.

Choosing a file format and checking audio quality

Most recording software exports in MP3, WAV, or M4A format. MP3 is the most compatible—it plays on any device and is small enough to email or upload. WAV is uncompressed and higher quality but creates large files. M4A is Apple's format, smaller than WAV but less universal. For most purposes, MP3 at 192 kbps or higher sounds good and stays manageable in size.

Before you finish recording, do a quick test: record 30 seconds of what you want to capture, save it, and play it back. Check that the volume is loud enough (not so quiet you have to strain to hear it, not so loud it distorts), that both audio sources are present (your voice and the system audio if you're recording both), and that background noise is acceptable. If the volume is too low, you can boost it in Audacity after recording. If it's too loud and distorted, re-record at a lower input level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I record system audio on Windows with Voice Recorder?

Voice Recorder only captures microphone input by design. To record audio playing through your speakers—music, videos, or calls—use Audacity, OBS Studio, or enable Stereo Mix in your sound settings. Stereo Mix is a Windows feature that lets you record what your speakers output, but it must be turned on in your sound device settings first.

Do I need to pay for recording software?

No. Audacity, OBS Studio, and VB-Audio Virtual Cable are all free and open-source. Mac's QuickTime Player is free. Google Meet and Zoom both include free recording features. You only pay if you want advanced features like automatic transcription, cloud storage, or professional editing tools.

What if my recording sounds muffled or too quiet?

Check your input level before recording. In Audacity, the input level meter shows how loud the incoming audio is. Aim for the green zone, not the red (which means it's clipping and will sound distorted). If it's too quiet, boost the microphone volume in your system settings or move closer to the microphone. After recording, you can also use Audacity's Normalize or Amplify effect to raise the volume.

Can I record a video call without the other person knowing?

That depends on your location and the platform. Some states and countries require all parties to consent to recording. Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams notify participants when recording starts. Check your local laws and the platform's terms of service before recording. Many workplaces and schools have policies about recording calls.

How do I record only my voice, not the background noise?

Record in a quiet room and position your microphone close to your mouth. In Audacity, after recording, use the Noise Reduction effect: select a small section of pure background noise, go to Effect > Noise Reduction, and click Get Noise Profile. Then select your whole recording and explore the effect. This reduces (but doesn't eliminate) steady background hum or fan noise.