Recording what is playing?!?!

[kavanaugh29]

when i hit record, it records through my microphone. so if i talk or cough it still records it. i just want what is playing on the computer. my only 2 input choices are microphone and microsoft sound mapper. i have it set on microsoft sound mapper but its still recording through the microphone. i have read everyone's posts and i still cant seem to fix it. im super confused.

[steve]

my only 2 input choices are microphone and microsoft sound mapper.

Microsoft Sound Mapper is a virtual device that can be set to any of your real devices - in your case the option is "Microphone".

If you are on Vista, see here: http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... trol_Panel

[kavanaugh29]

i tried both of those things because i am on vista... neither one worked

[steve]

You will have read this then:

HELP ON 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 is often hidden by default in the system mixer. 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 needs be try our help page on Updating Sound Device Drivers. If all else fails, you can connect 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, which normally offer a "stereo mix" type of option.

http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... trol_Panel