Recording PC Sound: The Basic Routes

You can record sound from your PC using built-in Windows tools, free third-party software, or browser-based recorders—which one you choose depends on what you're recording and where you want to save it. If you're capturing system audio (music, video, game sound), you'll need either a dedicated recording program or a workaround, because Windows doesn't have a native "record what's playing" button. If you're recording your own voice through a microphone, the built-in Voice Recorder app handles that directly.

The simplest path for most people is Audacity, a free program that records both microphone input and system audio on Windows, Mac, and Linux. For quick voice memos, Windows Voice Recorder works without installing anything. For streaming or gaming, OBS Studio (also free) records everything on screen plus audio. Each has a different workflow, so the right choice depends on what you're actually trying to capture.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Voice Recorder is built into Windows 10 and 11 and records microphone input only—search for "Voice Recorder" in the Start menu to open it.
  • Audacity is a free read that records both microphone input and system audio, and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
  • To record system audio in Audacity on Windows, you must enable "Stereo Mix" in Sound Settings first, or use a virtual audio cable like VB-Audio Virtual Cable.
  • OBS Studio is free and designed for streaming and recording, and captures everything on screen plus audio from multiple sources at once.
  • Browser-based recorders like Vocaroo or Kapwing record audio directly in your web browser without downloading software.

Recording Your Microphone with Windows Voice Recorder

Windows Voice Recorder is the fastest way to record your own voice if you have a microphone plugged in. Open the Start menu, type "Voice Recorder," and click the app. Plug in your microphone (or use your built-in laptop mic), click the blue microphone button to start, and click it again to stop. Your recording saves automatically as an M4A file in your Documents folder under Voice Recordings.

The app is bare-bones by design—it has no editing, no effects, and no way to adjust levels before you record. If you need to trim silence, cut out mistakes, or adjust volume, you'll need to move the file to Audacity or another editor afterward. For straightforward voice memos, meeting notes, or quick audio logs, Voice Recorder is all you need.

Recording System Audio and Microphone with Audacity

Audacity is a free audio editor and recorder that runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. read it from audacityteam.org. Once installed, open Audacity and you'll see a red record button in the toolbar. To record your microphone, click the dropdown next to the microphone icon, select your microphone, then click the red button. To record system audio (music, videos, game sound), you need an extra step first.

On Windows, system audio recording requires Stereo Mix, a hidden feature that lets your PC record what it's playing. Right-click the speaker icon in your system tray, select "Open Sound settings," scroll down to "Advanced," click "Volume mixer," then scroll down to "Volume device." Look for "Stereo Mix" in the list. If it's there but grayed out, right-click it and select "Enable." If it doesn't appear at all, your audio driver doesn't support it—in that case, use a virtual audio cable instead (see below).

Once Stereo Mix is on, go back to Audacity, click the dropdown next to the microphone icon, and select "Stereo Mix." Now the red record button will capture system audio. If you want both your microphone and system audio at the same time, you'll need to record them separately and mix them in Audacity afterward, or use OBS Studio instead.

Using a Virtual Audio Cable When Stereo Mix Isn't Available

If Stereo Mix doesn't appear in your Sound settings, your audio driver doesn't support it. The workaround is a virtual audio cable—software that acts like an invisible wire between your system audio and your recording program. VB-Audio Virtual Cable is free and widely used. read it from vb-audio.com, install it, and restart your PC.

After restart, go to Sound settings, scroll to "Volume device," and set "Stereo" to "CABLE Input (VB-Audio Virtual Cable)." This routes all system audio through the virtual cable. In Audacity, set the recording device to "CABLE Output (VB-Audio Virtual Cable)," then click record. Everything your PC plays will now be captured. The setup takes a few minutes the first time, but it works reliably on any Windows version.

Recording Everything On Screen with OBS Studio

OBS Studio is free software designed for streaming and recording video plus audio together. read it from obsproject.com. When you open it, you'll see a black box labeled "Scene"—this is what will be recorded. Click the plus sign under "Sources" and select "Display Capture" to record your entire screen, or "Window Capture" to record just one window.

By default, OBS records system audio automatically. If you want to add your microphone too, click the plus sign under Sources again, select "Audio Input Capture," and choose your microphone from the dropdown. You can adjust the volume of each source using the sliders on the right. When you're ready, click "Start Recording" (in the Controls panel on the right), do what you need to record, then click "Stop Recording." Your file saves as an MP4 in a folder you choose during setup.

OBS has a learning curve if you're new to it, but it's the most flexible option if you need to record multiple audio sources, switch between windows, or add overlays. For straightforward screen recording with system audio, the setup takes about five minutes.

Browser-Based Recorders for Quick Audio Capture

If you don't want to read software, browser-based recorders work directly in your web browser. Vocaroo (vocaroo.com) and Kapwing (kapwing.com) both let you record audio in real time. Open the site, click the record button, allow your browser to access your microphone when prompted, and speak. When you're done, the site gives you a link to your recording or lets you read it as an MP3.

These tools are useful for quick voice memos, leaving audio messages, or recording a single microphone track. They don't record system audio, and they have limited editing. For anything more complex, Audacity or OBS is a better choice. Browser recorders also depend on your internet connection—if you lose connection, your recording may not save.

Choosing the Right Format and Quality Settings

Most PC recording software saves audio as MP3, WAV, or M4A by default. MP3 is the most portable—it plays on any device and takes up less space—but it loses some audio quality during compression. WAV is uncompressed and sounds better, but files are much larger. M4A is Apple's format and works well on iPhones and iPads, but less reliably on Android or older devices.

In Audacity, you can choose the format when you export. Go to File, then Export, and the dropdown at the bottom shows format options. For voice recording, MP3 at 128 kbps is standard and sounds clear. For music or anything you plan to edit heavily, WAV preserves more detail. In OBS, the format is set in Settings under Output—the default MP4 works for most purposes, but you can change it to MOV or other formats if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record Spotify, YouTube, or other streaming audio?

Yes, using Stereo Mix or a virtual audio cable in Audacity, or by using OBS Studio. The audio plays through your speakers, and the recording software captures it the same way. Note that some streaming services have terms of service that restrict recording—check before you record copyrighted content.

Why is my recording so quiet?

The microphone or system audio input level is too low. In Audacity, look for the volume slider next to your recording device name at the top—drag it to the right before you record. In OBS, right-click the audio source and select "Filters," then add a "Gain" filter to boost the volume. Test with a short recording first to find the right level.

What if I want to record a Zoom call or Teams meeting?

Both Zoom and Microsoft Teams have built-in recording buttons during a call—look for a "Record" button in the meeting controls. The recording saves to your computer automatically when the call ends. If you need to record using Audacity or OBS instead, use Stereo Mix or a virtual audio cable to capture the meeting audio, and use OBS's screen capture to record the video at the same time.

Can I record audio and edit it on the same PC?

Yes. Audacity both records and edits, so you can record, then trim, adjust volume, remove background noise, and export all in one program. OBS records video and audio together, but you'll need to move the file to a video editor like DaVinci Resolve (free) or Audacity (for audio only) to make changes afterward.

Do I need to buy software to record PC sound?

No. Windows Voice Recorder, Audacity, OBS Studio, and browser recorders are all free. The only cost is your time learning the software. If you need advanced features like noise removal or multi-track mixing, Audacity handles most of that without paying.