I recently purchased a new laptop that utilizes Windows 10. I downloaded the latest version of Audacity but I cannot record from saved audio files or audio from websites. I was able to open a previously saved audio file and then edit it and export it as an mp3. It seems the only thing I cannot do is record into Audacity. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Why would you need to “record” a saved audio file? Use “File menu > Import > Audio”.
To record audio that is playing on your computer, use the “WASAPI loopback” method described here: Audacity Manual
I’m a play-by-play sportscaster and I have entire game broadcasts saved on my computer. If I want to record just a 10-minute sample size from a file, I pull it up and play the part I want to record in real time.
Which version is that? 2.1.1? 2.1.2-alpha? We always want to know all three version numbers.
I do see the convenience versus waiting to import a file as a waveform, but you still have the problem that the recording is an extra step of quality loss. Even WASAPI loopback recording is not a byte-for-byte copy of the original, and if your e-mail comes in “ding-dong” in the middle of the recording you will record that sound (unless you have turned all sounds off in Windows).
Gale
Thank you so much for your help. The instructions worked and I can now record. Have a great day!