How to Record Audio with VLC Media Player

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Do you want to record vocals, instruments, songs, and other audio in VLC Media Player? In addition to playing audio and video files and ripping CDs , you can also use VLC to record audio and video into your Windows or macOS computer. his wikiHow article teaches you the easiest way to use VLC Media Player to record audio on your computer.

Things You Should Know

  • VLC is free to download for PC, Mac, or Linux.
  • You need to select your capture device in order to record audio.
  • You can open the Capture Device menu in the "File" or "Media" menu.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

On Windows

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  1. It's the app that resembles an orange traffic cone with white stripes on it. Click the VLC icon in your Windows Start menu to open VLC.
  2. It's in the menu bar at the top right-hand side. This opens a drop-down menu.
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  3. It's in the middle of the drop-down menu. This enables a new row of controls with the record button above the play button.
  4. It's the first option in the menu bar at the top.
  5. It's in the middle of the drop-down menu.
  6. Use the drop-down menu next to "Capture Mode" at the top to select your preferred capture method. If you want to capture audio using a microphone, select DirectShow . If you want to capture audio from your computer, select Desktop .
  7. Use the drop-down menu next to "Audio device name" to select your preferred microphone. You can select your computer or laptop's internal microphone (i.e, Realtek Audio) or if you have an external mic or an audio interface connected to your computer, you can select that device.
    • If you want to record video in addition to audio, you'll also need to select a camera device in the drop-down menu next to "Video device name."
  8. To do so, click the icon that resembles a triangle pointing down next to the "Play" button in the lower-right corner of the dialogue box. This displays a drop-down menu.
  9. It's the last option in the drop-down menu that appears when you click the triangle icon next to "Play."
  10. Use the drop-down menu next to "Profile" to select an audio format. The most common audio format is "mp3." You can also select a video format if you want to record a video.
  11. To do so, click Browse next to "File destination." Then select a folder you want to save the recording in.
  12. To do so, type a name for the file next to "Filename." Then click Save .
  13. It's in the lower-right corner of the dialogue box. This will save the file format and start recording automatically. It may take a few seconds for the recording to start.
  14. When you are finished recording, press the record button again to stop the recording.
  15. It's the square button at the bottom of the VLC player window. This will save the audio file in the location you selected. [1]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

On Mac

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  1. It's the app that resembles an orange traffic cone with white stripes on it. Click the VLC icon in your Applications folder to open VLC.
  2. It's in the menu bar at the top of your Mac's screen. This opens a drop-down menu.
  3. It's in the middle of the drop-down menu.
  4. The checkbox will turn blue with a white checkmark to indicate it's been selected.
  5. A drop-down list will appear with your Mac's options. Select the audio source you want to record:
    • Select Built-in Microphone if you want to use your Mac's internal microphone.
    • Select Built-in Input if you have an external mic or other audio source plugged into your computer.
    • You'll need to install Soundflower and select a Soundflower input if you want to record your Mac's audio.
  6. It's the blue button at the bottom of the Open Source window.
  7. It's in the menu bar at the top of your screen. This opens a drop-down menu.
  8. It's the third option at the top of the drop-down menu.
    • Play the audio track if you want to record your computer's audio playback.
  9. It's the square button at the bottom of the VLC window.
  10. Go to your computer's Music folder. You can open the music folder by clicking on Finder (the blue and white face icon in your dock) and then click the "Music" folder on the left side column. The audio filename will start with "vlc-record-" and then end with the date and time the recording was made.
    • By default, VLC stores recorded audio files in the Mac's "Music" folder.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Thanks! Whatever I speak or sing, VLC plays it like an echo. This confuses me. How can I turn it off? Has VLC changed a lot or what has happened? I use the Windows version 3.0.8 "Vetinari".
    Kookie
    Community Answer
    Navigate to the bottom right corner, where you'll find the Audio Effects icon. Once you're in the Audio Effects folder, select Equalizer. This will allow you to begin the process of deleting or muting each unwanted sound manually, one band at a time.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Can I record both my microphone audio and my desktop screen using VLC?
    Kookie
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. By using different applications it's possible or if you have an advanced version of the software, you can record your screen and voice.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://docs.videolan.me/vlc-user/3.0/en/basic/recording/audio.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Click View followed by Advanced Controls to display the Record playback controls.
      2. Click Media followed by Open Capture Device .
      3. Select your DirectShow or Desktop in the drop-down menu next to "Capture Mode."
      4. Select your recording device in the drop-down menu next to "Audio device name."
      5. Click Play at the bottom.
      6. Click the Record button to stop recording.
      7. Click the Stop button.
      8. Locate the audio file in your Music folder.

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