How to Record Computer Audio AND MIC as MP3 on Windows PC (FREE) - OBS Studio Tutorial
Learn how to record computer audio and your mic as an MP3 on a Windows PC for free. This step-by-step tutorial uses OBS Studio, VLC, and Audacity.
You'll learn how to record computer audio as an MP3 file on your Windows PC, quickly and easily, for FREE. By the end of this video, you'll be able to capture system audio, including optional microphone, and you'll even be able to trim and boost the volume of your MP3 file so that it sounds great. We'll be using OBS Studio, VLC, and Audacity for this tutorial. Links are below.
All links mentioned:
OBS Studio: https://obsproject.com/
VLC Media Player: https://www.videolan.org/
Audacity: https://www.audacityteam.org/
Watch next:
Record computer audio with Audacity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4Vs3zYaR0g
Screen record: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDymBT39Vik
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:10 Install OBS Studio
0:20 Open Settings
0:30 Output Settings
0:56 Audio Settings
1:08 Video Settings
1:28 Check audio levels in Audio Mixer
2:00 Start Recording!
2:20 Stop Recording
2:33 Install VLC Media Player
2:44 Convert MP4 to MP3 in VLC
3:21 Install Audacity
3:40 Open MP3 in Audacity
4:01 Trim blank space off of MP3
4:24 Normalize audio volume (so it's not too quiet)
4:39 Export MP3
5:10 LIST OF STEPS - PAUSE HERE
5:20 Subscribe
5:30 Outro
Note: Only record audio you have permission to capture. I own the music recorded in this tutorial.
- Record system and microphone audio for free on Windows using OBS Studio.
- Export your OBS recording as an MP4 while minimizing the video resolution settings to prevent the file from taking up unnecessary hard drive space.
- Prevent audio distortion by monitoring the OBS Audio Mixer to ensure your microphone levels never exceed 0 dB.
- Convert the resulting MP4 video into an audio-only MP3 using the "Convert / Save" feature in VLC Media Player.
- Clean up your final recording by trimming silent gaps and using the Normalize effect in Audacity to boost quiet audio to a loud, professional volume.
Recording internal computer audio along with an optional microphone input is a highly useful skill for creators, gamers, and professionals. While Windows PCs don't offer a built-in one-click solution for exporting mixed audio directly to an MP3, you can easily set up a completely free workflow using professional open-source software.
In this guide, you will learn how to capture system audio and microphone input, convert the recording to a universal MP3 file, and trim and boost the volume so it sounds perfectly crisp.
Note: Only record audio you have permission to capture.
Tools Required for this Tutorial
To achieve a polished MP3 audio file, we will be using a combination of three free, open-source programs.
FAQ
Quick answers to the questions people usually ask about this topic.
Why does OBS Studio save my audio recording as a video file?
Why does OBS Studio save my audio recording as a video file?
OBS Studio is primarily a video broadcasting and screen recording software, so it defaults to exporting video formats like MP4. Because it lacks native MP3 export, this workflow involves capturing a low-resolution video file and then extracting the audio using VLC Media Player.
How can I prevent my microphone audio from sounding distorted?
How can I prevent my microphone audio from sounding distorted?
Before you start recording in OBS, check your levels in the Audio Mixer. Speak into your microphone and ensure the volume meter stays out of the red zone (below 0 dB). If the meter exceeds 0 dB, your audio will "clip" and sound distorted. You can adjust the volume slider directly in the mixer to safely lower your input level.
Is there a way to record computer audio without downloading OBS?
Is there a way to record computer audio without downloading OBS?
Yes! If you only need to capture your internal system audio and do not need to record a microphone simultaneously, you can do this natively using Audacity. For step-by-step instructions, check out this tutorial on how to record computer audio with Audacity.
Can I use this same software to record my screen along with the audio?
Can I use this same software to record my screen along with the audio?
Absolutely. Since OBS Studio is designed for video capture, you are already halfway there. You just need to add a video source (like a Display Capture) and adjust your video settings for high-quality resolution instead of scaling them down. For a full guide, watch this tutorial on how to screen record.
Are OBS Studio, VLC, and Audacity really free to use?
Are OBS Studio, VLC, and Audacity really free to use?
Yes, all three programs used in this workflow, OBS Studio, VLC Media Player, and Audacity, are completely free, open-source applications trusted by millions of creators. There are no hidden paywalls or watermarks.
