Learn how to record YouTube audio with Audacity on Windows, Mac, and Linux in this guide. For someone who needs an alternative, consider EaseUS RecExperts.
Ever wondered how to record YouTube audio on your computer? Using Audacity is great for saving a podcast, capturing background music, or creating an offline playlist. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it a free and powerful option. But setting it up correctly might be tricky. This guide walks you through the easiest way to record YouTube audio with Audacity.
Before you start recording, it's important to set up Audacity and your system audio correctly. This helps avoid common issues like no sound, distorted audio, or failed recordings.
On Windows:
On macOS:
On Linux:
Once these steps are completed, you're ready to start recording!
Spread out this helpful guide now!
Compared to macOS and Linux, recording YouTube audio with Audacity is generally more straightforward on Windows. Most Windows PCs support system audio capture natively through options like Windows WASAPI or Stereo Mix, without requiring third-party virtual audio drivers or complex routing. This means users can record YouTube audio directly with fewer setup steps and a higher success rate.
Additionally, Audacity's integration with Windows audio APIs makes it more stable for long recordings and less prone to system-level restrictions. For users looking for a free, offline solution to capture YouTube audio, Windows remains the most compatible and beginner-friendly platform.
🚩Here is how to record audio from YouTube video with Audacity on Windows:
Step 1. Open Audacity and Set Up Recording
Step 2. Start Recording Audio from YouTube
Tip: Check the waveform while recording to ensure audio is being captured correctly.
Step 3. Edit and Export
🚩Here is a video tutorial about recording YouTube music with Audacity:
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Recording YouTube audio on macOS with Audacity is slightly more complex than on Windows, because macOS does not provide native system audio capture. To record internal audio, you need to use a virtual audio device such as Loopback, BlackHole, or Soundflower to route your system audio into Audacity. Once the virtual device is set up, you can capture YouTube audio, edit it, and export it just as you would on Windows.
🚩Here's how to record audio from a YouTube video with Audacity on Mac:
Step 1. Set Up a Virtual Audio Device
Step 2. Start Recording YouTube Audio
Tip: Watch the waveform to ensure audio is being captured correctly.
Step 3. Edit and Export
Recording system audio on Linux with Audacity typically relies on PulseAudio or PipeWire providing a monitor or loopback source for your sound output. This monitor input acts like the Stereo Mix you see on Windows, so Audacity can capture audio being played by the system.
Step 1. Configure Your Audio Host
Step 2. Enable Monitor Capture (if needed)
Step 3. Start Recording
Audacity is a popular free and open source audio recorder for recording YouTube audio, but it has both advantages and limitations. Here's a concise, user-friendly summary based on official documentation and real user feedback.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Free and Open Source Ideal for students and casual users who want to record and edit audio without paying for software. | ❌System Audio Capture Requires Extra Setup macOS and Linux users may struggle to install virtual audio drivers and monitor sources. |
| ✅Powerful Editing Tools Noise Reduction, Equalization, Compression, and detailed waveform editing. | ❌No Built-In One-Click System Audio Recording Audacity focuses on editing, not instant system audio capture, unlike dedicated tools. |
| ✅Cross-Platform Compatibility Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, giving flexibility regardless of your operating system. | ❌Recording Quality Depends on System Configuration Incorrect audio routing can cause silence, noise, or distortion — a common issue reported in user forums. |
| ✅Flexible Plugin Support Supports optional libraries like FFmpeg for extra file format compatibility, making import/export of various audio formats easy. | ❌Not Ideal for Live or High-Performance Capture Latency or glitches can occur during livestream audio capture, unlike specialized software (OBS, Audial). |
| ✅Strong Community Support A large base of tutorials and forum posts helps users troubleshoot configuration or recording issues | ❌Learning Curve for Beginners Interface and audio routing options may feel overwhelming, especially when setting up virtual devices. |
While Audacity is a powerful free audio recording software for editing YouTube audio, it can be challenging for beginners or users who want to record system audio and microphone at the same time. On macOS and Linux, capturing internal audio often requires extra virtual devices or configuration, and the hit-and-record approach isn't straightforward.
For users looking for a simpler, more versatile solution, EaseUS RecExperts is a strong alternative. It allows you to record system sound, microphone, or both simultaneously with just a few clicks. Its intuitive interface makes capturing YouTube music easier, and the built-in recording modes ensure high-quality audio without complicated setup. Whether you want to record a full playlist, a livestream, or combine voice commentary, RecExperts streamlines the process that can be cumbersome with Audacity.
Step 1. Launch the EaseUS audio recorder and choose the Audio recording mode.
Step 2. Click the Settings button to adjust audio settings like formats, bitrate, or sample rate.
Step 3. Play the YouTube video that you want to capture the audio track in your browser. When you are ready, click REC to start your audio recording.
Step 4. To finish it, you just click on the red square icon to stop the recording.
EaseUS RecExperts is the most professional recording software for capturing high-quality YouTube audio without a time limit and exporting the recordings in the desired format.
Yes, you can effortlessly record the audio directly to Audacity by pressing the Record button to start and the Stop button to finish. It also lets you trim and edit the recorded files.
This depends on the purpose of recording and using the YouTube audio. YouTube's TOS does not allow the recording and distribution of copyrighted content from the platform without consent, which can result in severe legal action.
Yes, Audacity is widely used for recording and producing audio tracks because it is completely free. However, beginners may struggle to work with playback devices, different audio sources, and interfaces.
✅ Article Update Log
This update expands the original article based on user search intent, author testing, and forum feedback:
1️⃣Audacity recording steps split by OS: Separate instructions for Windows, macOS, and Linux, with Linux added as a new section.
2️⃣Updated outdated info: Clarified that exporting MP3 no longer requires installing the LAME plugin (built-in since Audacity 3.x). Replaced outdated macOS virtual audio plugin Soundflower with Loopback Audio and BlackHole for better stability.
3️⃣Enhanced professional guidance: Explained key Windows settings, such as when to choose Windows WASAPI vs MME, to ensure accurate and reliable recording.
4️⃣Improved tutorial depth: Added practical tips and clarifications to make the guide more precise, beginner-friendly, and trustworthy.
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