This guide shows how to use VLC media player to record audio on Windows and Mac computers.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Windows
Step 1. Open VLC
The program icon is an orange traffic cone with white stripes.
Download and install VLC media player, if you haven't already
Step 2. Click on the View item
It is located on the menu, top right. A drop-down menu will open.
Step 3. Click on Advanced Controls
It is located in the middle of the drop-down menu. This step activates a new row of controls that you will find above the "Play" button.
Step 4. Click on the Media item
It's on the menu.
Step 5. Click Open Capture Device
It is located in the middle of the drop-down menu.
Step 6. Open the
of "Audio Device" and select an input device.
Choose an audio source from the drop-down menu of "Audio Device".
- Select "Microphone" if you want to record audio from your computer's microphone
- Select "Mix Stereo" if you want to record the audio output from your speakers
Step 7. Click Play
It is located at the bottom of the Open Device window.
Step 8. Click on the register button to start the process
It's the one in the shape of a red circle, just above the "Play" button.
Play the audio track, if that's the one you want to record
Step 9. Press the record button again to stop it
When you are done recording, press the button again to stop the process.
Step 10. Click on the "Stop" button
It's the square-shaped one at the bottom of the main window.
Step 11. Open the audio you recorded
Open your computer's Music folder. You can do this by clicking on the Start menu
by choosing Explorer
and finally clicking on the "Music" folder on the left column, under "Quick Access". The name of the audio file will begin with "vlc-record-", followed by the date and time of the recording.
By default, VLC stores audio recordings in the Windows "Music" folder and video recordings in the "Videos" folder
Method 2 of 2: Mac
Step 1. Open VLC
The program icon is an orange traffic cone with white stripes.
Download and install VLC media player, if you haven't already
Step 2. Click on the File item
It is located on the menu, at the top of the window. This will open a drop-down menu.
Step 3. Click Open Capture Device
It is located in the middle of the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Check the "Audio" box
The box will turn blue and a white check will appear above it to indicate that it has been selected.
Step 5. Open the drop-down menu of "Audio" and select a source
A drop-down menu will appear with the options available to your Mac. Select the audio source you want to record from:
- Select "Built-in Microphone" if you want to use the Mac's internal microphone
- Select "Built-in output" if you have an external microphone or other audio source connected to your computer
- To record your Mac audio you will need to install Soundflower and select the program's audio source.
Step 6. Click Open
It's the blue button at the bottom of the Open Device window.
Step 7. Click on Playback
It is located on the menu at the top of the screen. A drop-down menu will open.
Step 8. Click Register to start recording
It is the third option from the top, in the drop-down menu.
Play the audio track, if that's the one you want to record
Step 9. Click on the "Stop" button to stop recording
It's the square-shaped button at the bottom of the VLC window.
Step 10. Open the audio file you recorded
Open your Mac's Music folder. You can do this by clicking on the Finder (the blue and white face icon on your dock) and then choosing the "Music" folder on the left column. The name of the audio file will begin with "vlc-record-", followed by the date and time of the recording.
