Record Online Meetings and Browser Audio in Audacity

Recording audio from online meetings, webinars, or browser tabs directly into Audacity is a straightforward process that captures digital sound without the background noise of an external microphone. This guide explains how to configure Audacity’s recording settings to capture internal system sounds on Windows using the WASAPI loopback method, as well as how to set up the necessary virtual routing on macOS. Following these steps ensures high-quality, direct-source recordings of platforms like Google Meet, Zoom, YouTube, or any active web browser tab.

Recording on Windows (WASAPI Loopback)

Windows users can record internal desktop and browser audio natively using Audacity's built-in Windows Audio Session API (WASAPI) loopback feature.

  1. Open Audacity on your computer.
  2. Locate the Audio Setup toolbar (or go to Edit > Preferences > Audio Settings).
  3. Set the Host to Windows WASAPI.
  4. Set the Recording Device to your active playback device's loopback option (for example, Speakers (loopback) or Headphones (loopback)). Choose the device you are currently using to listen to the meeting or tab.
  5. Set the Recording Channels to 2 (Stereo).
  6. Verify the Playback Device matches the device selected for the loopback (e.g., your current speakers or headphones).
  7. Go to Transport > Transport Options and ensure Software Playthrough of input is turned Off to prevent loud audio feedback and echo.
  8. Start the audio in your browser tab or join your meeting, then click the red Record button in Audacity.

Recording on macOS (Virtual Audio Cable)

macOS does not have a native loopback feature, so it requires a free third-party virtual audio driver (such as BlackHole) to route browser or meeting audio into Audacity.

  1. Install a Virtual Audio Driver: Download and install a loopback driver like BlackHole.
  2. Create a Multi-Output Device:
    • Open Audio MIDI Setup (found in Applications > Utilities).
    • Click the + icon at the bottom left and choose Create Multi-Output Device.
    • Check the boxes for both your primary listening device (e.g., Headphones) and the virtual driver (e.g., BlackHole 2ch). This allows you to hear the audio while Audacity records it.
  3. Change System Output: Open System Settings > Sound, and set the Output to your newly created Multi-Output Device.
  4. Configure Audacity:
    • Open Audacity and go to Audio Setup.
    • Set the Host to Core Audio.
    • Set the Recording Device to the virtual driver (e.g., BlackHole 2ch).
  5. Open your meeting or browser tab, click Record in Audacity, and capture the incoming stream.

Capturing Both Your Microphone and Meeting Audio

If you need to record both your own voice and the attendees in a meeting, a single loopback source will only capture what you hear, not what you say into your microphone.