Record System Audio in Audacity Using WASAPI

Recording system playback audio directly from your computer allows you to capture sound from applications, games, web browsers, and media players without external cables or background microphone noise. This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step walkthrough for configuring Audacity on Windows using the Windows Audio Session API (WASAPI) loopback feature to record pristine, digital-quality desktop audio.

Step 1: Open Audio Setup in Audacity

Launch Audacity. In the main interface, locate and click the Audio Setup button on the top toolbar.

Step 2: Select the Audio Host

From the Audio Setup drop-down menu:

  1. Hover over Host.
  2. Select Windows WASAPI.

WASAPI allows Audacity to communicate directly with the Windows audio engine.

Step 3: Choose the Loopback Recording Device

Return to the Audio Setup menu to select the input source:

  1. Hover over Recording Device.
  2. Select your active speakers or headphones that have (loopback) appended to their name (for example, Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio) (loopback)).

Note: You must choose the exact device that is currently outputting sound on your computer.

Step 4: Set Recording Channels

Open Audio Setup once more:

  1. Hover over Recording Channels.
  2. Choose 2 (Stereo) Recording Channels to ensure the recorded audio captures full stereo separation.

Step 5: Disable Software Playthrough

To avoid creating a harsh feedback loop, ensure software monitoring is turned off:

  1. Click Transport in the top menu bar.
  2. Hover over Transport Options.
  3. Ensure Software playthrough of input (on/off) is unchecked.

Step 6: Begin Recording

  1. Start playing the audio source on your computer (such as a video or music track).
  2. Click the red Record button (or press R) in Audacity.
  3. WASAPI loopback will begin capturing the audio stream once sound is detected.
  4. Click the black Stop button (or press Space) when you are finished.