How to Record Sound Produced by Your Sound Card

Did you know that you can record music using the sound card of your computer? If you want to express yourself creatively through music, read our detailed guide and start producing music with your sound card.

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Snapmuse Published: Feb 12, 2023 Updated: Jul 17, 2023 10 min read
Music is a potent force with the ability to elicit emotions, unite people, and inspire change. It's no surprise that so many people around the world adore music and consider it to be an essential part of their lives. 

Music, first and foremost, is an emotional expression. There's probably music out there that perfectly captures your emotions, whether you're joyful, sad, angry, or anything in between. Music can help us process our emotions while also providing comfort and serenity. Many of us have particular memories associated with individual songs, making music an effective tool for remembering and reflecting on the past.

Music is also a universal language that connects people. Music has the capacity to unite people of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and ages together, whether you're at a performance, a festival, or just listening to music with friends. This is why, throughout history, music has been employed as a form of social and political activity. Music has been used to unite people and inspire change in everything from anti-war marches to civil rights movements. 

Music is a source of entertainment as well as an emotional outlet and a unifying factor. Music is a pleasant and engaging type of entertainment, whether you're dancing, singing along, or simply enjoying the sound. There's always something fresh to discover and love with so many various genres, performers, and styles to select from.

Another reason individuals enjoy music is that it allows them to express themselves creatively. Music helps you to be creative in your own manner, whether you're producing your own music, playing an instrument, or simply appreciating the work of others. Making music is a means for many people to express themselves and their thoughts, making it a very personal and significant experience.

And for many people, music is much more than just a soundtrack to their lives - it's a creative outlet, a form of self-expression, and a means of communication.

So why do people create music? There are many reasons, and often multiple factors are at play. Let's explore some of the most common reasons why people create music:

  • Expression: Creating music is a way for people to express their emotions, thoughts, and ideas. For some people, making music is a cathartic experience that helps them process their feelings and emotions. For others, it's a way to share their experiences with the world and connect with others on a deeper level.
  • Communication: Music is a universal language that can be used to communicate with others, regardless of spoken language barriers. Music has the power to transcend language, culture, and geography, making it a powerful tool for connecting with people from all walks of life.
  • Artistic expression: Creating music is an art form, and many people find it fulfilling to create something that is unique and personal. Music is a medium for artists to express their individuality and creativity, and for many, it's a way to connect with their inner selves and explore their own artistic vision.
  • Therapy: For some people, creating music can be therapeutic and help them cope with stress, emotions, and other personal challenges. Whether it's writing songs about difficult experiences or simply playing an instrument to relieve stress, music can be a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery.
  • Entertainment: Many people create music as a form of entertainment, either for themselves or for others. Music is a fun and engaging form of entertainment that can be enjoyed alone or with others, making it a great way to pass the time and lift your spirits.
  • Commercial success: Some people create music as a career and aim to achieve commercial success and recognition for their work. For these musicians, making music is not just a passion, but a means of making a living and achieving financial stability.

Ultimately, the reasons for creating music are as diverse as the people who create it. Whether you're making music for yourself or for others, for personal fulfilment or for commercial success, music is a powerful and transformative force that has the ability to change lives and bring people together.

If you want to create music but don’t know how to play any instruments, we have some good news for you: You can record music using the sound card of your computer! In other words, you can produce impressive songs, short intro music, Twitch music, YouTube music and a lot more using no instruments but only your computer. Keep reading to learn more!

How to Record Sound Produced by Your Sound Card

Can You Record Music with a Sound Card?

Having the correct equipment is critical for artists and music producers who want to make high-quality recordings. A sound card is one of the most critical pieces of equipment you'll need. A sound card is a piece of computer hardware that allows for audio input and output, making it an excellent choice for music recording.

Many sound cards include a microphone input and a line-in input for recording sounds, including music. To record music with a sound card, connect your instrument or microphone to the sound card and record and edit your song using software such as a digital audio workstation (DAW).

The quality of the recording is determined by the sound card and the microphone or instrument utilised. If you want to record high-quality music, you'll need a sound card with decent audio input and output capabilities, as well as a suitable microphone or instrument.

Finally, recording music with a sound card is an excellent option for musicians and music producers seeking high-quality recordings. You may quickly record and edit your music to generate professional-quality recordings with the correct sound card, microphone, and software.

How Do I Record From My USB Sound Card?

The following are the steps to recording audio with a USB sound card:

  1. Connect your computer to your USB sound card.
  2. Connect the USB sound card to the microphone or musical instrument you want to record.
  3. Install the required software and drivers now if they have not already been installed.
  4. Start your digital audio workstation (DAW).
  5. Navigate to the software's options or preferences section and choose your USB sound card as the input and output device.
  6. Create a recording track and configure the recording parameters, such as the input volume and format.
  7. Begin recording by pressing the record button on your DAW software.
  8. To record your audio, play your musical instrument or talk into the microphone.
  9. When you're done, stop the recording and save the file.
It's crucial to note that the exact steps will vary depending on the DAW program and USB sound card you're using. For more thorough instructions, refer to the user manual or internet resources.

How Do I Record Internal Audio?

Internal audio (audio from your computer's sound output) must be recorded using specialised software that can capture and record the audio as it is played. Here's how to do it:

  • You need audio recording software, such as Audacity or OBS Studio. Install them if you haven’t already.
  • If necessary, connect your microphone or another recording device to your computer.
  • Start up the audio recording program, open up a new project and do the necessary adjustments.
  • From the software's options or preferences, select the audio source you want to record. Select "Stereo Mix" or "Wave Out Mix" (if available) as the recording source for internal audio.
  • Begin the recording by pressing the record button on the software.
  • Play the audio file that you want to record. The internal audio will be captured as it is played by the software.
  • When you are finished recording, press the stop button and save the file.
You should note that the availability of "Stereo Mix" or "Wave Out Mix" as a recording source may vary depending on your sound card and operating system. If none of these options are accessible, you might attempt routing the audio from your computer's sound output to the recording program using software such as Virtual Audio Cable.

If you don’t want to deal with all this hassle to get high quality, original music for your personal and commercial projects, you should consider downloading open source music. You can use open source music in all social media platforms including but not limited to YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.

You must know Twitch music rules or YouTube music rules if you are a content creator. According to these rules, you can only use royalty free music on these platforms, otherwise you face serious ramifications like lawsuits and losing your account.

Take a closer look at our non copyright music library below to discover songs that you can use in all your social media content.

How Do I Record My Sound Card in Windows 10?

To record your sound card in Windows 10, you need to download an audio recording software first. Then you need to get a microphone or another similar recording device. 

After setting up the recording device you want to use (like internal microphone of your computer or an external one), open the audio recording software and start recording. 

If you want to record sound effects or foley with your sound card, here is a quick solution to your needs: Learn what are SFX and take a closer look at our comprehensive SFX library.

How Do I Record My Sound Card in Mac?

To capture the audio from your sound card on a Mac, you must first obtain an audio recording program. Then, set up your preferred recording device, whether it be the internal microphone of your computer or an external one.

Once your recording device is all set, launch your audio recording software and press the record button. Now you're ready to capture the sound card's audio in all its glory!

If you don’t want to deal with such hassles for music, take a closer look at our non copyright music library now!

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