Audacity Recording

Jul 17, 2020 To record on Audacity, you simply need to add a track and press the 'Record' button. With a keyboard command, you can start recording on a new track automatically, without having to add one.

“I used Audacity to copy tapes into digital audio files before; however, the Audacity recording is not working at all now, how can I fix this problem?” Audacity is an open-source audio solution with extensive functions including recording. It is a good way to convert music tapes into digital files or download online songs. According to our survey, some users reported that the recording function is not always working. Therefore, we share the troubleshooting to help users fix this problem quickly.

1. There are many tools in this category, but few so comprehensive and efficient as Audacity. It is a free, open source software with GNU licensing to record and edit audio, working directly with the graphics of the sound waves. It can also convert files. It supports the majority of audio formats, such as wav, mp3, Ogg, wma, ac3, flac and aiff.
2. There are many tools in this category, but few so comprehensive and efficient as Audacity. It is a free, open source software with GNU licensing to record and edit audio, working directly with the graphics of the sound waves. It can also convert files. It supports the majority of audio formats, such as wav, mp3, Ogg, wma, ac3, flac and aiff.
3. Recording or tracking your music in Audacity is easy enough. You connect a microphone to your computer and click Record on the Audacity interface. The music records into the track, and when you’re done you simply press stop.

Part 1: Why Audacity Not Recording?

The common causes why Audacity is not recording include:

• 1. Audacity cannot recognize your microphone.
• 2. The recording settings are incorrect.
• 3. Something is wrong on your sound card.
• 4. Audacity is outdated or bug.

Part 2: 5 Solutions to Fix Audacity Not Recording

Solution 1: Check Microphone

Firstly, check your microphone and cable no matter you use internal or external device. Then update sound card driver. When Audacity is not recording on Windows 10, upgrade to version 1803 and enable the microphone in your Privacy settings: Open Settings in Start menu, go to Privacy, and turn on Microphone.

Solution 2: Show Disabled Devices

The issue that Audacity is not recording on Windows is usually due to the sound input is disabled.

Step 1: Right-click on the audio icon in the system tray and choose Recording Devices to open the popup dialog.

Step 2: Locate the blank area and right-click you mouse. Then check both Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices.

Step 3: Right-click on Stereo Mix and Enable it.

Solution 3: Set up Audacity Correctly

On Mac:

Step 1: Go to the Audacity menu and choose Preferences.

Step 2: Locate the Devices tab and select the desired microphone from the Devices option under Recording.

Step 3: Back to the main interface, and switch to MME in the Audio Host option at upper left side.

On Windows:

Step 1: Choose Preferences from Edit menu in Audacity when it is not recording.

Step 2: Set the microphone in Devices tab and click OK.

Step 3: Then choose MME from Audio Host in main interface.

Solution 4: Use Simpler Audio Recorder：AnyMP4 Screen Recorder

Audacity is not the only way to record audio on desktop. AnyMP4 Screen Recorder is the best alternative to record audio on Windows and Mac. Moreover, it presets options according to your hardware.

Basic Features of the Best Alternative to Audacity

• 1. Record any audio in a single click on PC and Mac.
• 2. Enhance audio quality automatically while recording.
• 3. Offer extensive bonus tools, like audio trimming.

Needless to say, it is the best option to record audio when Audacity is not working.

How to Fix Audacity Not Recording with the Best Alternative to Audacity

Step 1: Install the best audio recorder

When Audacity is not recording, install the best alternative audio recorder to your hard disk. Then launch it and pick Audio Recorder to open the main interface. Advanced users can click the Gear icon to open the Preferences dialog and set custom options. For beginner, the audio recorder will optimize them according to your system.

Step 2: Record audio

There are two audio input, System Sound and Microphone. Enable and disable each one based on your need. To record online music, for example, turn on System Sound while disable Microphone. If you intend to capture sound through microphone, toggle System Sound off and turn on Microphone. Hit the REC button to start recording audio.

Step 3: Save audio recording

When recording is done, click the Stop button to open it in Preview window. Pre-listen to the recording and remove unwanted parts with the Clip tool. Finally, click on the Save button to save the audio recording to your hard drive.

More audio recording software like Audacity are here.

Solution 5: How to Fix Audacity Not Recording Online

In addition to desktop audio recorder software, you can also try online alternative when Audacity is not recording. AnyMP4 Free Online Audio Recorder is the simplest alternative to Audacity.

Main Features of the Best Alternative to Audacity Online

• 1. Record audio from your system or microphone.
• 2. Produce the best audio quality as much as possible.
• 3. Available to all major browsers, like Safari, Chrome, etc.

How to Record Audio without Audacity

Step 1: Open your browser, put https://www.anymp4.com/free-online-audio-recorder/ into address bar and hit Enter key.

Step 2: Hit the big button in the webpage and get the launcher.

Step 3: Then enable or turn off System sound and Microphone according to your situation. Click the REC button to begin recording audio.

Step 4: Wait for audio recording to complete and hit the Stop button. Then save and download the recording to your computer.

Part 3: FAQs of Audacity Not Recording

Why is my microphone not working on Audacity?

Audacity can co-work with most microphones on market. If your microphone is not working on Audacity, chances are that settings are not proper. You can correct it with our guide.

How long can Audacity record?

Generally speaking, Audacity does not have any limit on audio recording length. However, the output audio file will become very large and take up a lot of space. We suggest you to record no more than one hour.

Can you record multiple tracks on Audacity?

Audacity is able to record multiple tracks if you set it up correctly. To do it, open the Preferences dialog from Edit menu on PC or Audacity menu on Mac. Go to Recording and check Overdub: Play other tracks while recording new ones. Now, you can do it if your machine has an I/O box and is fast enough.

Conclusion

This article has told you how to fix the problem that Audacity is not recording on Windows or Mac. As an open-source audio solution, Audacity is popular around the world. However, it is not a perfect audio recorder and the setup process is complicated. Therefore, we suggest you to try a simpler alternative, such as AnyMP4 Screen Recorder. It is not only easier than Audacity, but also able to produce better audio quality. If you have more questions, please write it down below.

Audacity is one of the most popular audio recorders to capture the audio files from your computer for free. If you were not familiar with the Audacity audio recorder, you can learn more about how to record computer audio with Audacity, adjust the recording level, save recording audio to desired format and the best alternative from the article.

Part 1: How to Record Computer Audio with Audacity

Whether you need to record computer audio on Windows 10 with Audacity, or capture the desired audio files of your macOS, you can just download and install the related version and find the detailed process as below.

Record Computer Audio with Audacity on Windows 10

Step 1Right click on the Sound or Volume icon on your Windows 10, you can launch the dialog box for sound device. Choose the Playback devices option and find the default playback device.

Step 2Open the Audacity recorder and click on the Edit menu. Select the Preferences option and from the left menu to choose the Device option to unfold the settings for record computer audio.

Step 3Select the Windows WASAPI from the drop-down list for the Host bar. Choose the Speak/HP (Realtek High Definition Audio) option for Playback bar and related device/channel for Recording.

Step 4After that, you can click on the Record button to record computer audio with Audacity recorder. You can pause or stop your recording with the specific buttons on the Transport toolbar for these commands.

Capture Audio Files via Audacity Recorder on Mac

Step 1Download Audacity on your MacBook, if you need to record audio from other applications, you should also install the Soundflower extension to get audio other than the default speakers.

Step 2Go to the Audacity menu and choose the Preferences option. You can choose the similar settings and choose the Soundflower as the Playback menu. Select the desired sample rate, sample format and more.

Step 3After that, you can click the Start button to record audio from computer via Mac. Now you can click the red Record button to get the desired audio files from the desired channel.

Audacity Recording Tutorial

Step 4Click on the File menu, you can choose the Export option to save the recording audio to MP3, WAV, OGG and other formats. Of course, you can also save the recording via Audacity with the Save Project option.

Part 2: Why Cannot Use Audacity to Capture Audio

Is there a method to capture the audio file directly with Audacity for Mac? Why Audacity is not recording or cannot adjust the recording level? The extension of Soundflower is one of the most important reasons. If it’s recording a track that turns out to be blank, you should check the cabling and your recording device settings in Audacity. Go to the Edit menu option, choose the Preferences option and choose the Device option. Make sure it’s recording from the correct input.

Moreover, you can also have another check for the cassette, audio cable, computer sound card input and more others for the Audacity not working accordingly. Of course, there might also be a reason for the Audacity voice recorder itself.

Audacity Recording Software

Part 3: Best Alternative to Audacity to Record Audio Files

What should you do if you still cannot record with Audacity? When you want to record audio directly on your computer, Apeaksoft Screen Recorder is the Audacity alternative to record video, capture audio and take snapshots. It also enables you to customize the recording files with annotation, drawings and more others.

• Record the system audio, microphone and other connected devices.
• Capture the audio files from desktop directly within one click directly.
• Adjust the audio volume, output format, file quality and more others.
• Add screen video, webcam files and annotation to the audio recording.

Step 1Download and install the audacity recording software alternative, you can launch the program on your computer. In order to record the external devices, you should make sure to connect the device beforehand.

Step 2Click on the Audio Recorder option, you can enable to record the audio files from system sound, microphone or both. Just have another test or go to the Settings to adjust the audio volume accordingly.

Audacity Recording Problems

Step 3After that, you can click on the REC button to record audio files from your desktop. You can manage the recording files with hotkeys; add some annotation or drawing the recording during the process.

Conclusion

JAudacity is one of the most popular free audio recorders to capture multitrack from your computer. Just learn more about how to record audio with Audacity recorder on Windows and Mac. What should you do if Audacity cannot work? You can find the resolutions as well as the alternative from the article.