I love sharing solutions to life's everyday problems. Not only does it help you, it highlights usability issues that should be fixed in the next iterations. Alas, they tend to not be, which is why knowing the right path is even more important — there's simply no substitute for raw experience.
I was helping my wife record microphone AND speakers. She wants sound and music on her computer to be captured at the same time as her vocal narration. She's been doing Second Life videoblogging with Xfire, and we've been working on improving her setup over the weekend. Also, she was previously on a USB headset, but alas, we didn't find an easier way to record from that and the standard stereo minijacks.
Thankfully, using the usual 3.5mm connections can have…
A few advantages over USB:
- Your sound card may have better quality. Contrary thoughts are a fuzzy myth, and dependent on what hardware's involved, since a surprising amount of USB headsets capture tinny sound with their cheap chipsets — trust your ears.
- It's easier to switch between headset and speakers, instead of having to change the output each time in the Control Panel. (What a hassle!)
- Consequently, hotswapping in the midst of an application is easier.
Vista or XP?
My wife's on Windows Vista while I'm still on XP. If you're on XP too, related info can be found in my popular "How to boost the mic volume on your Realtek audio codec". Basically on XP, it's a matter of making sure the "Mic Volume" AND "Stereo Mix" are both enabled in Realtek HD Sound Manager > Mixer tab (or equivalent). As a perfect example of one of those tricky subtleties, you may need to click a wrench icon and make sure those inputs are enabled — otherwise, they'll be invisible.
The following details may vary; in my travels, I've come across many variations that work on the same basic principles. Many integrated audio chipsets are Realtek, and if yours differs, consult your manuals (if there are any, and hopefully they're helpful).
Now then, on with the show! Here's how you do it…
Easy steps!
Make sure your mic is plugged in (often to a pink color-coded 3.5mm stereo minijack port), and if applicable, the headphones part of your headset is plugged in too. Otherwise, leave that (green plug) unplugged, and the sound will come out of your speakers.
Do a quick sound check to make sure sound is playing as expected.
In Windows Vista's Control Panel, select Classic View on the left.
Open the Sound control panel and click Recording tab.
Speak into the microphone and confirm that the green bars light up.
If you don't see Stereo Mix (or "What U Hear" on some systems), right-click and check "Show Disabled Devices". This should show it.
Further help with that:
- "How to enable Stereo Mix in Vista" – Brief video tutorial by alexisviewing.
- Another video tutorial on the same thing – More in-depth and has narration, by Split10.
- "Enabling disabled sound devices in Vista" – Written guide with pictures by Godjonez.
Select Stereo Mix, then click Set Default and there should be a checkmark on it.
Open Control Panel > Classic View > Realtek HD Audio Manager.
Click the Microphone tab, and look next to Playback Volume. Check the speaker icon (it's generally disabled by default), and now, try speaking into your mic at a moderate volume.
If you've got things setup correctly, you should hear your voice coming out of the speakers because it's playing through with everything else (which will be recorded).
There, you've done it!
Quick test!
Make sure to test in a recording program such as Audacity. My fave way of doing this in a minute is:
- Play a piece of music with very clear tones that don't conflict with your voice's pitch. "Tubular Bells" is beautiful.
- Speak into the microphone, saying "Testing" and random gibberish, pausing, and then repeat it a few seconds later.
- Record yourself for about 10 seconds, stop the music so there's silence, then play the recording back to yourself.
If all went right, you should hear both yourself and the audio that was playing on your computer.
Keep in mind…
this will record everything you hear from your computer's stereo mix output. If you're in a game and you play a song in Winamp or another MP3 player, that gets recorded too.
If it ever gets too confusing to hear yourself from your speakers, either move your microphone away to where it won't be spoken into or thumped, or simply unplug it. You could also uncheck Playback Volume, but that may be a repeated inconvenience.
Happy sounding! Let me know if this helps you so I'll be encouraged to make more tutorials!




![Torley posted a photo:[13:53] White Lebed: When I met Jayjay and joined the UWA sims as an artist-in-residence I didn't know much about this place. Once I realize what an amazingly special wonderful program this small team runs I was so impressed. And I wanted everybody know about what is going on here. Since it is better to see once than hear 100 times, I thought it would be the best way to tell the world about them is to invite machinima artists and ask them to film it. It was wonderful to be able to see this place through your eyes. And I love that the machinimas we got were not just advertisements, they were wonderful art pieces. What I never expected is that Jay will turn out to be the best fundraiser in thPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA. Torley posted a photo:[13:53] White Lebed: When I met Jayjay and joined the UWA sims as an artist-in-residence I didn't know much about this place. Once I realize what an amazingly special wonderful program this small team runs I was so impressed. And I wanted everybody know about what is going on here. Since it is better to see once than hear 100 times, I thought it would be the best way to tell the world about them is to invite machinima artists and ask them to film it. It was wonderful to be able to see this place through your eyes. And I love that the machinimas we got were not just advertisements, they were wonderful art pieces. What I never expected is that Jay will turn out to be the best fundraiser in thPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4341983054_53aed5ab46_s.jpg)
![Torley posted a photo:[13:47] Jayjay Zifanwe: CISKO VANDEVERRE, Berlin, GermanySEEKwww.youtube.com/watch?v=H6zbFx3DxwsPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA. Torley posted a photo:[13:47] Jayjay Zifanwe: CISKO VANDEVERRE, Berlin, GermanySEEKwww.youtube.com/watch?v=H6zbFx3DxwsPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4341231363_c8b3458d23_s.jpg)
![Torley posted a photo:[13:44] Jayjay Zifanwe shouts: BRADLEY DORCHESTER, Perth, AustraliaMachinimUWA: Art Architecture, Research, Teachingwww.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1k80dA3I8Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA. Torley posted a photo:[13:44] Jayjay Zifanwe shouts: BRADLEY DORCHESTER, Perth, AustraliaMachinimUWA: Art Architecture, Research, Teachingwww.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1k80dA3I8Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2737/4341230493_2f782e6088_s.jpg)

![Torley posted a photo:[13:42] Jayjay Zifanwe: COLEMARIE SOLEIL, Florida USA UWA Machinima Challenge Submissionwww.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIQP-YrYLwPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA. Torley posted a photo:[13:42] Jayjay Zifanwe: COLEMARIE SOLEIL, Florida USA UWA Machinima Challenge Submissionwww.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIQP-YrYLwPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4341963584_bda095aac6_s.jpg)
![Torley posted a photo:[13:38] Jayjay Zifanwe: CHANTAL HARVEY, Maastricht, NetherlandsUniversity of Western Australia in Second Lifewww.youtube.com/watch?v=tR_pc90Eu4k[13:39] Jayjay Zifanwe: I want to say hi to all machinimatographers and their friends, fans and crews.Before I go into details, I want to express that I am very sorry that I cannot be here myself, at this ceremony - my real life got in the way. My boss wont give me the night off, not even for an important event like this. (cries). My ONE chance to meet the famous Torley and ask him to consider being a part of the MMIF machinima festival on the 20th of Februari - down the drain!Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA. Torley posted a photo:[13:38] Jayjay Zifanwe: CHANTAL HARVEY, Maastricht, NetherlandsUniversity of Western Australia in Second Lifewww.youtube.com/watch?v=tR_pc90Eu4k[13:39] Jayjay Zifanwe: I want to say hi to all machinimatographers and their friends, fans and crews.Before I go into details, I want to express that I am very sorry that I cannot be here myself, at this ceremony - my real life got in the way. My boss wont give me the night off, not even for an important event like this. (cries). My ONE chance to meet the famous Torley and ask him to consider being a part of the MMIF machinima festival on the 20th of Februari - down the drain!Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4341958070_318b895425_s.jpg)
![Torley posted a photo:[13:36] Jayjay Zifanwe: LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWAblip.tv/file/3147141 (LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWA blip.tv/file/3147141)Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA. Torley posted a photo:[13:36] Jayjay Zifanwe: LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWAblip.tv/file/3147141 (LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWA blip.tv/file/3147141)Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4341206009_e30658c02b_s.jpg)
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HEyy my microphone icon\slide is gone help~~ how do i get it back?
HEyy my microphone icon\slide is gone help~~ how do i get it back? because I accidentally deleted
I have a problem, when I open Realtek Audio Manager and click the microphone tab, there is no Playback Volume option only the Recording Volume, so, what can i do in this case? can you help me with this?
oh this is gd but
i found out
if u want to rec steam radio , it will be best to turn off everything which is under MICROPHONE so it wont rec ur voice in..
once u turn of ur stero mix will be louder.
dont like this feature as it combination all together..
sorry mistake
once u turn off ur MICROPHONE ur stero mix sound will be louder.
>realteck audio manager
>microphone
playback devices slide is not there please help?!?!
My laptop doesn't have Stereo Mix, but I found a special sound recorder for Windows Vista http://www.abyssmedia.com/isound7/
Work perfect and get mixed audio from Speakers
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