I just got a new laptop with Windows 8. I am trying to set up Audacity to record Playback the way it did on my old laptop, but it doesn’t seem to be working. In Audacity, I select “Microsoft Sound Mapper” as the input, as I always have, but it seems to only record from the onboard microphone. I have read the tutorials and FAQs on the subject, and tried going in to the “Sound” settings to check what recording devices were available, but only the microphone shows up. Screenshot below!
On my old laptop, I can see that I have a “Rec. Playback IDT High Definition Audio CODEC” selected in the Recording tab. I was wondering is this CODEC something I need to download on my new computer to allow Audacity to record streaming audio? And if so, where can I get it? Thanks, any help would be appreciated.
Most Windows machines have a “device” called “Stereo-Mix,” “What-U-Hear,” or something like that. That “device” turns around the playback sound and makes it available to the recording services. If you don’t have that (and some machines don’t), then you’re stuck with one of the alternate methods like the hardware techniques or the Money-Based software.
Recording YouTube Sound is not a guaranteed service like lighting up your screen or typing on the keyboard, so some makers just leave it out.
As you noted, some machines make you intentionally turn on additional devices if you want them. If you don’t know they’re there, then they will be missing forever.