There is no option related choosing different recording qualities.
Aaron
13 years ago
I just updated to windows 7, and have tried using several recording softwares as well as the windows sound recorder. My problem is playback. It records fine, but when i play the recording, nothing is played just a fuzzy noise. i was able to record with my previous OS and playback was fine. I do not have a microphone and am not sure what i should use as far as recording settings, or playback settings. Right now my default playback device is “Speakers Realtek AC’97 Audio. In the recordings tab my default device is: Line in Realtek AC’97 Audio. I never had to mess with any of this with my previous OS! I am so confused!
The problem is surely with the input device being set incorrectly, not the playback one.
Check out this tutorial: How to Change the Default Playback & Recording Audio Device. It shows how to correctly set the recording (or input) device.
Aaron
13 years ago
I followed that tutorial, but am still experiencing the same problem. In the sound menu under recordings, my default device is “Line In Realtek AC’97 Audio”
You need to set the microphone as the default recording device. If it doesn’t show up in the list of recording devices, it means it is not installed properly. Check if the cable (if external microphone) is plugged in correctly. If it is an internal microphone, check that you have the correct drivers installed.
Aaron
13 years ago
I checked for an updated version of my drivers, in device manager>sound video game controlers>update and windows said it was up to date. When i made the microphone the default device, i tried recording and was given an error message that no recording device was available. Under the microphone (in recording tab) it says “Currently unavailable”
Is this a laptop or a desktop? If it a laptop, please tell me the exact model and manufacturer.
Also, a screenshot of the devices you see under Sound, video and game controllers would help.
Looks like some sort of hardware/driver problem (more likely driver).
Go to the HP website and download the Windows 7 audio card drivers for your exact desktop model & audio card. Install them, plugin the microphone and check if it keeps saying “unavailable”. It should not. If it does, you might want to talk with HP. Maybe there’s something wrong with the sound card itself.
You need a microphone to record sound. The “line-in” is simply the connector found on the audio card in which you plug in recording devices such as the microphone.
In the past, it might have worked for you to record without the presence of an external microphone because, most likely, you were using a laptop which has a built-in microphone. On desktop computers you always need an external microphone plugged in.
The good news is that they are very easy to find and inexpensive. A quick search on Amazon will find you some good & reasonably priced options, like Logitech Labtec Desktop Microphone 600.
Actually I updated my desktop to windows 7 and have kept everything the same. It wasn’t a laptop.
Ed
11 years ago
I just tried using Sound Recorder for the first time in Windows 7, although I have used it many times in previous versions. What a disappointment! There are no controls over what I’m doing.
Are you saying that a microphone is the only acceptable kind of input? Is that correct? I want to record sounds that are going through my computer. I did record some, but the playback quality, especially the volume, is not usable.
Paul de Jong
10 years ago
I use a stereo USB mixer and I have to reconfigure the audio settings (Microphone Properties) every time. Is there a way to set the defaults to “2 channel, 16 bit, 44100 Hz” and the level to 5? The level usually stays put between uses, but the format reverts to mono (1 channel). If I forget the recordings are right channel only, not even summed! A song like Space Oddity sounds really weird that way. I am recording karaoke sessions at my shows.
I use an Allen & Heath ZED Fx10, but it is the same for any mixer.
Thanks.
Carl Beekman PhD
10 years ago
When I’m grading papers, how can I leave audio comments in specific places in a paper?
What the writer of this doesn’t want to say is that Windows 7 and 8 have removed the ability to record sound within the computer, also known as the “line input”. This is a ridiculous change from every operating system in the past where you could set “Line In” as the recording source. There is no acceptable reason for taking this option out. I have heard that it is possible to install the Win XP audio drivers to enable line recording but when I tried it the result was completely distorted sounds. I think a possible fix for this is to get a stereo (2 channel) cable and plug it into the audio out jack and to the microphone jack. You’ll need a splitter at the audio out jack so you can also run the speakers. I haven’t tried this but I see no reason it cannot work. Try at your own risk.
Thanks – that was the most useful comment I’ve read so far. I remember how I was able to do “line input” recording on my old XP computer way back, and how useful it was. I suspect they took it out as it made it easy for people to pull audio off youtube song videos and so on.
Natalie
9 years ago
I recorded a file. But I want to burn it to a cd to use in the car. Can’t figure out how. Help!!?
You’ve probably already figured it out yourself by now anyway but just in case you need a little help…
That is not really the topic here but its a simple answer. If you already have a blank CD and a CD writer then you can write (burn) a CD straight from Windows Media Player or almost any other media player program. Look for a menu or a button that says “Burn to CD” or similar and it should prompt you from there. There is a limit to how long the audio file is and also the format (MP3, WAV, etc.) must be compatible.
Joe
9 years ago
Windows Recorder:
Pre windows 7: you could record / stop / play / resume
windows 7+: record / save
What?? You can’t play before save it to a file????
Terry James
8 years ago
My system, Operating System: Windows 7 Professional
Machine Type PC compatible
Windows 7 Service Pack 1
Processor: Pentium Dual-Core CPU E6600 @ 3.06GHz – 2.53GHz
RAM: 4.00 GB (3.24 GB usable)
Operating System: 64 bit
Workgroup MSHOME
Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010
I used sound recording without any problems until I installed a new hard drive and all necessary programs.
Now I can’t record anything.
My input is ok as the mike in plays through the system speakers.
I can start a recording and create a WMA file and save it.
Unlike all my other WMA files, when I try to play it, there is nothing there. The indicator bar near the bottom of the Windows Media Player window tracks across as normal but no sound comes out?
kiran
8 years ago
Hi, Thanks for the information. Is there any option to remove the soundrecorder icon from tray(not hide) while its recording from command prompt
Pratap
8 years ago
Is there any limit to the duration of a single recording using Sound Recorder? In other words, how long can I record for (I’m planning to record a 45 minute talk and don’t want the recording to stop midway)!
Xenia
8 years ago
Ciprian: You have not answered the question of how to avoid distorted sound. I also discovered that the sound through the line input (I have no problems using this input) is distorted. The user must set the recording level so that it does not exceed 1/3 of the potential recording level. Ignore the readout which indicates “green” or good levels at highersettings. Set the level very low, and the sound should be adequate. As it is, this sound recorder is a bit of a joke. The sampling rate is 96K, useful for low resolution speech, but not much else.
Craig
8 years ago
There is an author at my church wanting to write a book of my life. She wants me to digitally record and email to her so she can edit. I don’t believe that is possible with this. If she can’t edit when I email, how do I record “some of my story” email that bit and later pick up where I left off , record more and email the continuation which includes previous recordings.
adelle
7 years ago
I was recording and dropped my laptop and was unable to retrieve the recording because I never saved it. Is there a way to retrieve that recording from the sound recorder?
DKW-AudioEngineer
7 years ago
Thanks for the article. It can be pathed in Win-8.1
See example below.
SoundRecorder /FILE G:AS_TIME_GOES_BY.wma /DURATION 0000:02:40
The digital signal level is extremely low, but after recording, the track level can be increased and the signal to noise was excellent even after 12X gain, the signal to noise was still very good.
Carol
6 years ago
WHAT I ENTERED IN SUBJECT BOX, I HAVE A LOT OF RECORDED FILES FROM SOUND RECORDER, IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN CHANGE TO TEXT WRITINGS.
David Spector
6 years ago
Where can I find the full command-line documentation for Windows 8.1 SoundRecorder (desktop mode)? I’ve searched and can find no such documentation, even from Microsoft.
Andreas R.
6 years ago
Hi Ciprian Adrian Rusen,
thank you very much for this useful tipp.
As far as I understood, the sound recorder can be called by a batch file
or from command prompt to run for a predefined amount of time.
If I for instance configure the batch with a duration of let’s say 45 mins,
is there a way to stop recording by (another) batch or command to
prevent further recording and deletion of the record? –
As far as I tested, the recorded file will not be saved if I stop the execution
of the batch using the task manager …
I’ll appreciate your quick answer …
Thanks, Andreas R., Germany
Lynn Ballantine
6 years ago
I am becoming really frustrated. I was trying to apply for an at-home job for which I need a headset with microphone so I can interact with callers. I have to submit a voice recording with my online application. I spent $20 on a microphone so I could use the Windows voice recorder. When I record, it looks like it is recording but I can’t get anything on playback. I have tried all the combinations of volume. I have the red pin plugged into the pink port and the blue pin in the blue port. I hear nothing through the headset. Please tell me what I’m doing wrong before I miss my opportunity.
Mark
5 years ago
Nothing recorded
Amey Lily
3 years ago
Thanks for the awesome information. I was finding this feature. Thanks again for mentioning this.
Konstantin
3 years ago
When I tried finding the Sound Recorder, I received the message “A recording device could not be found”. However, I had connected a microphone to the pink socket.
After clicking OK I saw the list of audio devices: Realtek … and SPDIF, that’s all. The recorder wasn’t there.
Paul
3 years ago
SoundRecorder is not restricted to wma files. If instead you give the file extension as ‘.wav’ it will output in wav format.
thx
again a good tutorial
In the older windows version of this, you could choose different recording qualities. Is there a way to do that in windows 7 with the command line?
Thanks!
There is no option related choosing different recording qualities.
I just updated to windows 7, and have tried using several recording softwares as well as the windows sound recorder. My problem is playback. It records fine, but when i play the recording, nothing is played just a fuzzy noise. i was able to record with my previous OS and playback was fine. I do not have a microphone and am not sure what i should use as far as recording settings, or playback settings. Right now my default playback device is “Speakers Realtek AC’97 Audio. In the recordings tab my default device is: Line in Realtek AC’97 Audio. I never had to mess with any of this with my previous OS! I am so confused!
The problem is surely with the input device being set incorrectly, not the playback one.
Check out this tutorial: How to Change the Default Playback & Recording Audio Device. It shows how to correctly set the recording (or input) device.
I followed that tutorial, but am still experiencing the same problem. In the sound menu under recordings, my default device is “Line In Realtek AC’97 Audio”
You need to set the microphone as the default recording device. If it doesn’t show up in the list of recording devices, it means it is not installed properly. Check if the cable (if external microphone) is plugged in correctly. If it is an internal microphone, check that you have the correct drivers installed.
I checked for an updated version of my drivers, in device manager>sound video game controlers>update and windows said it was up to date. When i made the microphone the default device, i tried recording and was given an error message that no recording device was available. Under the microphone (in recording tab) it says “Currently unavailable”
Is this a laptop or a desktop? If it a laptop, please tell me the exact model and manufacturer.
Also, a screenshot of the devices you see under Sound, video and game controllers would help.
It’s an HP Desktop. is there an email i can send the screenshot to?
Looks like some sort of hardware/driver problem (more likely driver).
Go to the HP website and download the Windows 7 audio card drivers for your exact desktop model & audio card. Install them, plugin the microphone and check if it keeps saying “unavailable”. It should not. If it does, you might want to talk with HP. Maybe there’s something wrong with the sound card itself.
I will do that, but i do not have a microphone. In my previous OS i never used a microphone, but was able to use sound recorder.
You need a microphone to record sound. The “line-in” is simply the connector found on the audio card in which you plug in recording devices such as the microphone.
In the past, it might have worked for you to record without the presence of an external microphone because, most likely, you were using a laptop which has a built-in microphone. On desktop computers you always need an external microphone plugged in.
The good news is that they are very easy to find and inexpensive. A quick search on Amazon will find you some good & reasonably priced options, like Logitech Labtec Desktop Microphone 600.
Actually I updated my desktop to windows 7 and have kept everything the same. It wasn’t a laptop.
I just tried using Sound Recorder for the first time in Windows 7, although I have used it many times in previous versions. What a disappointment! There are no controls over what I’m doing.
Are you saying that a microphone is the only acceptable kind of input? Is that correct? I want to record sounds that are going through my computer. I did record some, but the playback quality, especially the volume, is not usable.
I use a stereo USB mixer and I have to reconfigure the audio settings (Microphone Properties) every time. Is there a way to set the defaults to “2 channel, 16 bit, 44100 Hz” and the level to 5? The level usually stays put between uses, but the format reverts to mono (1 channel). If I forget the recordings are right channel only, not even summed! A song like Space Oddity sounds really weird that way. I am recording karaoke sessions at my shows.
I use an Allen & Heath ZED Fx10, but it is the same for any mixer.
Thanks.
When I’m grading papers, how can I leave audio comments in specific places in a paper?
Thanks.
On Xp SP3 dosen’t work…have any idea why ?
can a get this information in French? thank you
I also want to record audio from my computer, and I finally use a tool, Tenorshare iGetting Audio, I watch the video guide from http://www.tenorshare.com/products/streaming-audio-recorder.html
What the writer of this doesn’t want to say is that Windows 7 and 8 have removed the ability to record sound within the computer, also known as the “line input”. This is a ridiculous change from every operating system in the past where you could set “Line In” as the recording source. There is no acceptable reason for taking this option out. I have heard that it is possible to install the Win XP audio drivers to enable line recording but when I tried it the result was completely distorted sounds. I think a possible fix for this is to get a stereo (2 channel) cable and plug it into the audio out jack and to the microphone jack. You’ll need a splitter at the audio out jack so you can also run the speakers. I haven’t tried this but I see no reason it cannot work. Try at your own risk.
Thanks – that was the most useful comment I’ve read so far. I remember how I was able to do “line input” recording on my old XP computer way back, and how useful it was. I suspect they took it out as it made it easy for people to pull audio off youtube song videos and so on.
I recorded a file. But I want to burn it to a cd to use in the car. Can’t figure out how. Help!!?
You’ve probably already figured it out yourself by now anyway but just in case you need a little help…
That is not really the topic here but its a simple answer. If you already have a blank CD and a CD writer then you can write (burn) a CD straight from Windows Media Player or almost any other media player program. Look for a menu or a button that says “Burn to CD” or similar and it should prompt you from there. There is a limit to how long the audio file is and also the format (MP3, WAV, etc.) must be compatible.
Windows Recorder:
Pre windows 7: you could record / stop / play / resume
windows 7+: record / save
What?? You can’t play before save it to a file????
My system, Operating System: Windows 7 Professional
Machine Type PC compatible
Windows 7 Service Pack 1
Processor: Pentium Dual-Core CPU E6600 @ 3.06GHz – 2.53GHz
RAM: 4.00 GB (3.24 GB usable)
Operating System: 64 bit
Workgroup MSHOME
Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010
I used sound recording without any problems until I installed a new hard drive and all necessary programs.
Now I can’t record anything.
My input is ok as the mike in plays through the system speakers.
I can start a recording and create a WMA file and save it.
Unlike all my other WMA files, when I try to play it, there is nothing there. The indicator bar near the bottom of the Windows Media Player window tracks across as normal but no sound comes out?
Hi, Thanks for the information. Is there any option to remove the soundrecorder icon from tray(not hide) while its recording from command prompt
Is there any limit to the duration of a single recording using Sound Recorder? In other words, how long can I record for (I’m planning to record a 45 minute talk and don’t want the recording to stop midway)!
Ciprian: You have not answered the question of how to avoid distorted sound. I also discovered that the sound through the line input (I have no problems using this input) is distorted. The user must set the recording level so that it does not exceed 1/3 of the potential recording level. Ignore the readout which indicates “green” or good levels at highersettings. Set the level very low, and the sound should be adequate. As it is, this sound recorder is a bit of a joke. The sampling rate is 96K, useful for low resolution speech, but not much else.
There is an author at my church wanting to write a book of my life. She wants me to digitally record and email to her so she can edit. I don’t believe that is possible with this. If she can’t edit when I email, how do I record “some of my story” email that bit and later pick up where I left off , record more and email the continuation which includes previous recordings.
I was recording and dropped my laptop and was unable to retrieve the recording because I never saved it. Is there a way to retrieve that recording from the sound recorder?
Thanks for the article. It can be pathed in Win-8.1
See example below.
SoundRecorder /FILE G:AS_TIME_GOES_BY.wma /DURATION 0000:02:40
The digital signal level is extremely low, but after recording, the track level can be increased and the signal to noise was excellent even after 12X gain, the signal to noise was still very good.
WHAT I ENTERED IN SUBJECT BOX, I HAVE A LOT OF RECORDED FILES FROM SOUND RECORDER, IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN CHANGE TO TEXT WRITINGS.
Where can I find the full command-line documentation for Windows 8.1 SoundRecorder (desktop mode)? I’ve searched and can find no such documentation, even from Microsoft.
Hi Ciprian Adrian Rusen,
thank you very much for this useful tipp.
As far as I understood, the sound recorder can be called by a batch file
or from command prompt to run for a predefined amount of time.
If I for instance configure the batch with a duration of let’s say 45 mins,
is there a way to stop recording by (another) batch or command to
prevent further recording and deletion of the record? –
As far as I tested, the recorded file will not be saved if I stop the execution
of the batch using the task manager …
I’ll appreciate your quick answer …
Thanks, Andreas R., Germany
I am becoming really frustrated. I was trying to apply for an at-home job for which I need a headset with microphone so I can interact with callers. I have to submit a voice recording with my online application. I spent $20 on a microphone so I could use the Windows voice recorder. When I record, it looks like it is recording but I can’t get anything on playback. I have tried all the combinations of volume. I have the red pin plugged into the pink port and the blue pin in the blue port. I hear nothing through the headset. Please tell me what I’m doing wrong before I miss my opportunity.
Nothing recorded
Thanks for the awesome information. I was finding this feature. Thanks again for mentioning this.
When I tried finding the Sound Recorder, I received the message “A recording device could not be found”. However, I had connected a microphone to the pink socket.
After clicking OK I saw the list of audio devices: Realtek … and SPDIF, that’s all. The recorder wasn’t there.
SoundRecorder is not restricted to wma files. If instead you give the file extension as ‘.wav’ it will output in wav format.