Recording audio from Windows mixed output

September 16, 2006 5:36 AM

How do I set my (Windows XP) PC to record audio using the mixed output as the recording source? I built my own machine with an M-Audio Revolution 5.1 and can't figure out how to do this.

On my previous computers (Dell laptops and desktops, all using onboard audio) there was an option in the Windows recording control settings to set the recording source as "mixer" or "mixed output." This would allow me to easily record (e.g. in Windows Sound Recorder) anything that was coming out of the speakers (e.g. audio from a video playing in YouTube).

I'm pretty sure I also had this option on an old desktop using a Sound Blaster 16 or Awe32.

The Recording Properties options on my computer (with the M-Audio software installed) are "Cd/Aux Monitor," "Line Monitor," "Mic Monitor," and "Mic/Line." These all seem to refer to external inputs, and none of them takes audio from the mixed output.

posted by rxrfrx to computers & internet (4 comments total)

It sounds like you mean your options for which recoding source to use are in some proprietary bit of software. If so, you could try and use the standard Windows mixer (Click START, then RUN and enter SNDVOL32 and click OK) and then go to OPTIONS, then PROPERTIES, enable the RECORDING radio button, enable all the recording sources and click OK. Then you might be able to find the one you need.
posted by ed\26h at 5:56 AM on September 16, 2006

The old Creative Labs "What U Hear" and other soundcards' "wave" and "stereo mix" recording options are defined by their respective drivers. If your card/driver combo doesn't support something like that, you can try messing around with something like vitrual audio cable (crappy noise-injected limited demo available).

I'd try the Hydrogenaudio Forums for advice about your specific card's potential and limitations.
posted by drumcorpse at 6:34 AM on September 16, 2006

ed\26h, I think drumcorpse is right. The Windows mixer is the thing that is missing the "mixed output" recording source option, and the contents of that window are defined by the driver (different on every computer I've checked this on).
posted by rxrfrx at 6:39 AM on September 16, 2006

I meant vitrual victual virtual.
posted by drumcorpse at 6:48 AM on September 16, 2006