How to Record the Sound Coming From Your PC (Even Without Stereo Mix)

Tue-Feb-2023
1,990

Recording the sound coming from your PC can be useful for a variety of reasons, such as creating audio tutorials, recording game audio, or capturing audio from online sources. In this guide, we’ll show you how to record the sound coming from your PC, even if you don’t have Stereo Mix available.

Method 1: Using Windows Sound Settings

  1. Right-click on the speaker icon in your system tray and select “Open Sound settings.”
  2. Click on the “Sound Control Panel” link on the right-hand side of the window.
  3. In the Sound Control Panel, click on the “Recording” tab.
  4. Right-click in the empty space in the list of recording devices and select “Show Disabled Devices.”
  5. If “Stereo Mix” appears in the list, right-click on it and select “Enable.” If it’s not available, move on to method 2.
  6. Right-click on “Stereo Mix” and select “Properties.”
  7. In the “Properties” window, go to the “Listen” tab.
  8. Check the box next to “Listen to this device.”
  9. Select your desired playback device from the drop-down list.
  10. Click “OK” to close the Properties window.
  11. Right-click on “Stereo Mix” again and select “Set as Default Device.”
  12. Open your preferred audio recording software and start recording. The sound from your PC should be captured in the recording.

Method 2: Using Virtual Audio Cable

If Stereo Mix isn’t available on your PC, you can use Virtual Audio Cable to create a virtual audio device that can capture your PC’s audio.

  1. Download and install Virtual Audio Cable from the official website.
  2. Once installed, right-click on the speaker icon in your system tray and select “Open Sound settings.”
  3. Click on the “Sound Control Panel” link on the right-hand side of the window.
  4. In the Sound Control Panel, click on the “Recording” tab.
  5. Right-click in the empty space in the list of recording devices and select “Show Disabled Devices.”
  6. Right-click on “CABLE Input” and select “Enable.”
  7. Right-click on “CABLE Input” again and select “Set as Default Device.”
  8. Open the “Playback” tab in the Sound Control Panel.
  9. Right-click on your preferred playback device and select “Properties.”
  10. In the “Properties” window, go to the “Advanced” tab.
  11. Change the default format to “2 channel, 16 bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality).”
  12. Click “OK” to close the Properties window.
  13. Open your preferred audio recording software and select “CABLE Input” as the recording device.
  14. Start recording. The sound from your PC should be captured in the recording.

These methods should allow you to record the sound coming from your PC, even if you don’t have Stereo Mix available. Whether you’re creating tutorials, recording game audio, or capturing online audio, these techniques can help you get the job done.