5 Ways to Record System Audio and Microphone at the Same Time

Learn how to use Audacity to record system audio and mic sound at the same time on Windows or Mac. If you find Audacity recording complicated, try alternatives like EaseUS RecExperts.

Many users who create tutorials or record their screens want to capture system audio (from apps, browsers, or games) and microphone input at the same time. However, in practice, users often encounter issues such as system audio not being recorded, being able to capture either the microphone or system sound but not both, audio tracks being out of sync, or conflicts between different recording software.

These problems are mainly caused by differences in how operating systems handle internal audio capture. In this guide, we will explain the reasons behind these limitations and provide the most reliable methods to record system audio and microphone simultaneously across Windows and Mac.

Why You Have Difficulty Capturing System Sound and Microphone Simultaneously

Recording both system audio and microphone can be tricky due to differences in operating systems.

Mac: macOS blocks apps from capturing internal audio for privacy reasons. Without a virtual audio driver (like BlackHole or Loopback), you can only record the microphone, and system sound won't be captured.

Windows: Windows allows system audio capture via Stereo Mix or WASAPI, but some PCs disable Stereo Mix, and sound driver settings can interfere, preventing simultaneous recording of microphone and system audio.

Knowing these limitations helps you choose the right tools to record system audio and a microphone at the same time reliably on either Mac or Windows.

Record System and Microphone Sound at the Same Time (Easiest Way)

EaseUS RecExperts is a versatile screen and audio recording tool that lets users capture system sound and microphone input simultaneously on both Windows and Mac. It is especially suitable for tutorial creators, online educators, and content creators who want a simple, reliable solution without complex setup.

Key features:

• Cross-platform support: Works on Windows and Mac smoothly
• One-click recording: Simultaneously capture system audio and microphone without extra configuration
• Flexible audio settings: Adjust input levels for system and microphone separately to avoid clipping or imbalance

Steps for how to record system audio and microphone at the same time:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS RecExperts and choose Audio mode (looks like a speaker) from the main interface.

Step 2. Select the sound source by clicking on the speaker sign (the system sound) or the mic sign (the microphone). Or, you can record them both at the same time.

Step 3. Click the drop-down buttons next to the Speaker and Microphone to adjust the audio source settings.

• In the Speaker tab, you can adjust the volume, test the speaker and microphone, record silently, or open the volume mixer.
• In the Microphone tab, you can also enable Microphone boost and Microphone noise reduction features.

Step 4. To change the output format, bitrate, or sampling rate, you can click the Settings button in the lower right corner of the page. Of course, you can also set the automatic stop audio recording and automatic audio segmentation as needed.

Step 5. Hit the REC button to start recording audio. To finish it, just click on the red square icon to stop the recording.

Step 6. Once finished, the audio recording will be saved automatically. You can listen to or edit the recording with built-in tools.

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Audacity Record Computer Audio and Mic on Windows Simultaneously (Free Ways)

Audacity is a free, open-source audio recorder that lets you capture system sound and microphone. It's popular among podcasters, gamers, and creators for tutorials or streaming. With multi-track recording, you can edit internal audio and voice separately, then export in MP3, WAV, or FLAC.

However, Audacity doesn't natively support recording system audio and mic at the same time, since it normally only accepts one input source. To work around this, you can adjust your Windows sound settings by enabling "Listen to this device" and using a loopback input such as WASAPI.

🚩Follow these steps to record desktop audio and mic at the same time:

Step 1. Enable the microphone's "Listen to this device" feature in Windows Sound settings.

• Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray at the bottom-right of your screen.
• Click Sounds (or Sound settings > More sound settings in Windows 11).

• Go to the Recording tab, right-click the mic used to capture sound from your computer, and click Properties.

• Go to the Listen tab, check Listen to this device, and click Apply > OK. Now, you can hear sound from the mic in real time.

Step 2. Download and install Audacity to your Windows Computer.

• Visit its official website and choose an installer (Editor here chose the 64 bit installer).  Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installing setup. Then, launch the app.

Step 3. Configure Audacity audio settings.

In Audio Setup:

• Set Host to Windows WASAPI. This enables direct system audio capture.

• Set Recording Device to Speaker (loopback). This records the internal sound your computer is playing. (When using the default MME host in Audacity, you may see a virtual input such as Stereo Mix or What U Hear. Selecting it allows you to record the sound played on your desktop.)

• Set Playback Device to your microphone. This ensures your mic input is also included in the recording.

Step 4. Start recording system audio and mic on Audacity.

• Click the Record button (red dot) in Audacity.
• Speak into your microphone while playing system audio (music, videos, etc.).
• Both the microphone and system audio should appear as a single waveform.
• Click Stop (square) when done and playback to check the recording.

Step 5. Save the recording on your computer.

• Go to File > Export Audio... and follow the on-screen instructions to save your Audacity recording.

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Capture Both Computer and Mic Sound on Mac via QuickTime (Built-in Tool)

QuickTime Player is a built-in tool on macOS that can record your screen and microphone. However, macOS does not allow direct system audio capture, so to record both system sound and microphone, a virtual audio driver like BlackHole or Loopback is required.

Step 1. Install a virtual audio driver

Download an audio driver like BlackHole or Loopback, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. In this tutorial, we take BlackHole as an example.

Step 2. Create a Multi-Output Device

• Open Audio MIDI Setip, then click + > Create Multi-Output Device
• Select both System Output (Built-in Output, Speakers, headphones) and Microphone (internal mic or external mic).

Step 3. Configure QuickTime Player

• Open this freeware,  and click File > New Audio Recording
• Click the arrow next to the Record button to choose Multi-Output Device as the input.

Step 4. One done, click Record to start your recording

Record System Audio and Microphone at the Same Time Android

To record system audio and microphone simultaneously on Android, we recommend you use the built-in screen recording function. It allows you to record the screen of your smartphone without time limits. Besides, recording audio and microphones can also be achieved with this tool.

🚩Steps for how to record internal audio and mic in Android

Step 1. Swipe down the function tab on the top of your screen and find a tile labeled Screen recorder sitting on the second page.

Step 2. Long-press it to go to the setting tab and select System audio and microphone sound as the sound settings.

Step 3. Tap the Start recording button to record audio and mic at the same time.

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Record System Audio and Microphone at the Same Time iPhone

Recording both system audio and microphone simultaneously on mobile devices is useful for gameplay, tutorials, or app reviews. On iPhone, Apple's built-in Screen Recording tool also supports recording microphone input together with system sounds.

The main challenge is that not all devices or iOS versions allow internal audio recording due to privacy restrictions. On iPhone, system audio can only be captured from apps that permit it. To bypass these limits, users often rely on third-party screen recording apps or external audio mixers. Choosing the right tool ensures you capture both audio sources clearly without missing sound.

Troubleshooting of Internal Audio and Microphone Sound Recording

Even with the right software and setup, users may encounter issues when trying to record system audio and microphone simultaneously. Here are the most common problems and their solutions.

1. No System Audio Recorded

Windows:

• Make sure WASAPI Loopback is selected in Audacity or other software.
• Ensure "Listen to this device" is enabled for the microphone if using Audacity.
• Check system sound output is not muted.

Mac:

• Ensure the virtual audio driver (BlackHole) is installed and selected correctly.
• Verify that the Multi-Output Device includes both system output and microphone.
• Some apps (like Safari or Spotify) may require additional permissions to output audio.

2. Microphone Not Captured

Windows:

• Ensure the correct microphone is selected in your software.
• Check that the microphone is not muted or disabled in system settings.

Mac:

• Verify the microphone is included in the Aggregate Device or Multi-Output Device.
• Give necessary microphone permissions in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Microphone.

3. Echo or Feedback

• Use headphones to prevent system audio from being picked up by the microphone.
• Reduce system volume or microphone gain if necessary.
• On Windows, avoid enabling multiple input sources that duplicate sound.

4. Audio Out of Sync or Lagging

• Close unnecessary applications to reduce CPU load.
• On Windows, use software that supports multi-track recording to separate system audio and mic.
• On Mac, ensure virtual devices are configured correctly and no extra monitoring loop is causing delay.

5. Software Crashes or Audio Not Detectable

• Update your recording software to the latest version.
• Update OS audio drivers (Windows) or reinstall virtual audio driver (Mac).
• Restart your computer or mobile device and try again.

Conclusion

Recording system audio and microphone together can feel tricky since Audacity and mobile devices don't natively support it. But with the right setup—whether using Stereo Mix, WASAPI loopback, BlackHole on Mac, or screen recorder apps on Android/iPhone - you can capture both sources smoothly.

For those who want an easier option without complex settings, tools like EaseUS RecExperts provide a one-click solution. Choose the method that best fits your device and workflow to create clear, professional-quality recordings.

Record Microphone and Computer Audio FAQs

Check the frequently asked questions related to this topic below.

1. How do I record my microphone and desktop audio separately?

You can use Audacity to record desktop audio and mic sound separately.

✅Record system audio only in Audacity:

• Set Audio Host to Windows WASAPI.
• Under Recording Device, select your Speaker/Headphone (loopback).
• Click Record and capture system sounds.
• Stop recording when done.

✅Record microphone only in Audacity:

• Set Audio Host to Windows WASAPI.
• Change Recording Device to your microphone.
• Press Record and speak into the mic.

2. Is it better to record in mono or stereo in Audacity?

It depends on your recording source:

✅Record in MONO if:

• Using a single microphone (most mics record in mono).
• Recording a podcast or voiceover.
• You want a consistent voice in both left & right speakers.

✅Record in STEREO if:

• Recording music or a stereo microphone.
• Capturing ambient sounds with directionality.
• Recording system audio (stereo mix, WASAPI loopback).

3. How do I connect my microphone to my computer to record?

🔹For USB Microphones (Plug & Play)

• Connect the mic to a USB port.
• Set it as default:
• Go to Sound Settings > Input > Select Microphone.
• Open Audacity and select the mic as Recording Device.

🔹For 3.5mm (Analog) Microphones

• Plug into the microphone jack (pink port).
• Go to Sound Settings and ensure it's detected.
• Use an audio interface if needed for better quality.

🔹For XLR Microphones

• Use an audio interface like Focusrite Scarlett.
• Connect XLR cable from mic to interface.
• Set the interface as the recording device in Audacity.

4. How do I record both internal and external audio on my computer?

You can do it with Audacity. Just follow the steps below.

Step 1. Launch the app and choose "Windows WASAPI" from the audio host drop-down menu and "Speakers" from the audio input drop-down menu.

Step 2. To record external audio, open "Windows Voice Recorder" and click on the blue-and-white microphone to start recording.

5. How do I record system audio and microphone at the same time bandicam?

To record computer sound and your voice at the same time, you can launch Bandicam, go to "Video", and "Settings", and choose "Default Sound Device and Microphone" at the "Recording" settings. Then, check the "Two Sound Mixing" option.

6. Can Audacity record desktop audio and microphone at the same time?

Yes, you can record your system audio and microphone at the same time on Win 8 or 10 using Audacity.