it keeps recording my voice n i dont want it to

[scoobydoo12]

On my desktop computer it would record just the song being played on the computer. I now have a laptop and when i try to record a song, it is recording any background, noises, voices, or sounds I make. I just want what is playing on the computer and for it to have a good sound quality like it did on my desktop. Please help, anything would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks.

[alatham]

It's up to you to tell Audacity what to record. You do that through the Edit -> Preferences -> Audio I/O menu.

You want to record streaming audio, there are instructions on this page:
http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... nel_issues

I'll copy/paste the relevant info:

HELP WITH RECORDING COMPUTER PLAYBACK OR STREAMING AUDIO

There is often confusion over what source to use for recording sounds the computer is playing, and worse, this source often needs to be specifically enabled in the system mixer before it can be used. The required source can go by various names such as: "Stereo Mix", "Wave Out", "Sum", "What U Hear" or "Loopback". The exact name (and even if you have such a source option) depends on the drivers of your sound device. Try to enable and select a suitable option in the system mixer as described below, then if necessary update your sound device drivers. If all else fails, try connecting a cable from the line-out (green) port of the computer to the line-in (blue), and choose the line-in as recording source. If you need to hear what you're recording, you can buy a single stereo to double stereo adaptor that will give you a spare jack to plug the speakers into. Alternatively, try Freecorder which is a virtual sound driver distinct from your sound device and installs as a browser plug-in, or buy an external USB soundcard. These normally offer a "stereo mix" type of option, but check its compatibility with Vista.

Note that these instructions are specific to Vista, but are mostly accurate for Windows XP. If you use a Mac or a Linux machine, then I can't help much.