How to Record Computer Audio as MP3 on Windows PC (FREE) - Audacity Tutorial
Learn how to record internal computer audio as an MP3 on your Windows PC for free. This Audacity tutorial covers setup, trimming, boosting, and exporting.
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 using Audacity, and you'll even be able to trim and boost the volume of your MP3 file so that it sounds great.
All links mentioned:
Audacity: https://www.audacityteam.org/
Watch next:
Record computer audio with microphone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25QvwQG7QtU
Screen record: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b5FgAIVjTY
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:10 Install Audacity
0:28 Open Audacity
0:40 Audio Setup, Host, Windows WASAPI
0:50 Plug in headphones and Rescan Audio Devices
1:00 Set up Recording Device and Playback Device
1:42 Start recording MP3, then stop recording
1:55 Preview MP3 recording
2:05 Trim blank space off of MP3
2:16 Normalize audio volume (so it's not too quiet)
2:44 Export MP3
3:13 LIST OF STEPS - PAUSE HERE
3:23 Subscribe
3:33 Error: 9996 Invalid device, 9997 Invalid sample rate
4:35 Fixing audio feedback when recording
4:50 Using a different playback device
5:17 Outro
Note: Only record audio you have permission to capture. I own the music recorded in this tutorial.
- Download and install Audacity for free to capture internal computer audio on a Windows PC.
- Configure your Audio Setup by setting the Host to Windows WASAPI and choosing your default speakers or headphones as both the Recording and Playback device.
- Clean up your recording by using the Selection Tool to delete blank space and applying the Normalize effect to safely boost low volume.
- Save your finished track by navigating to File > Export Audio and selecting the MP3 format.
- Fix Errors 9996 or 9997 by matching Audacity's audio quality settings (sample rate and bit-depth) to your default Windows sound device properties.
- Eliminate recording echo or feedback by unchecking "Hear other tracks" and "Audible input monitoring" in Audacity's recording preferences.
How to Record Internal Computer Audio Using Audacity
Recording internal computer audio, such as system sounds, webinars, or streaming music, on a Windows PC is incredibly useful for content creators and professionals. You can do this quickly, easily, and for free using Audacity.
By the end of this guide, you will know how to capture system audio, trim blank space, boost the volume, and export your final file as an MP3.
Important Note: Only record audio that you have the legal permission to capture. Always respect copyright laws when recording internal system audio.
Step 1: Install and Launch Audacity
To get started, you need to download Audacity, a free, open-source audio editing tool.
FAQ
Quick answers to the questions people usually ask about this topic.
Is Audacity completely free to use for recording audio?
Is Audacity completely free to use for recording audio?
Yes, Audacity is a completely free and open-source audio editing application. You can use it to capture internal system sounds on your Windows PC without any hidden fees, subscriptions, or watermarks.
Why do I need to select Windows WASAPI as my audio host?
Why do I need to select Windows WASAPI as my audio host?
Windows WASAPI is the native audio pipeline for modern Windows operating systems. Selecting it in your Audio Setup allows Audacity to capture the exact digital audio stream being routed to your computer's speakers or headphones, known as loopback recording, which is required for capturing internal sound.
Can I record my microphone and internal computer audio at the same time?
Can I record my microphone and internal computer audio at the same time?
Yes, but capturing both inputs simultaneously requires a slightly different configuration than just recording system audio. For step-by-step instructions on a dual-audio setup, check out this guide on How to Record Computer Audio with a Microphone.
Can I record my screen along with the internal system audio?
Can I record my screen along with the internal system audio?
Audacity is strictly an audio-recording and editing software, so it only outputs audio formats like MP3. If you want to capture video along with your system sounds, you will need to use a dedicated screen recorder. Learn more in this tutorial on How to Screen Record with Computer Audio.
Are there copyright restrictions when capturing internal system audio?
Are there copyright restrictions when capturing internal system audio?
Yes. It is highly important that you only record audio you have the legal permission to capture. Always respect copyright laws and the terms of service of the platforms you are recording from (such as streaming music platforms or paid webinars) when saving internal system audio.
