The short answer
Open Record…, choose the correct Device, click Start recording and finish with Stop & open. The recording opens in the editor so you can listen, edit and use Convert / Export… to save it.
Choose microphone, system audio or both
Open CyberPower Audio Editing Lab, then choose Record… from the Tools menu, or press Ctrl + Shift + R. In the recording window, use Device to select the source you intend to capture.
| Your task | Source to choose | Check before starting |
|---|---|---|
| Record your voice | Your microphone/input device. | Speak briefly and check the input meter and Windows microphone access. |
| Record computer playback | The system-audio/loopback device for the output you use. | Start playback in the other app. Check that it plays through the selected speakers or headphones. |
| Record voice and PC sound | Choose a source, then enable Also record the other source (mic + system). | Select the second source and review Mix layout. |
For two sources, Mix both to stereo creates a combined mix. Split: Left = mic, Right = system puts the sources on separate left/right channels; it is not the same as two independent recording files.
Make a short test recording
Leave Target sample rate at the source setting unless your project calls for a particular rate. Click Start recording and watch the timer and meters. For computer sound, playback must actually be running in the other app.
Finish the test with Stop & open. Listen before starting a long take. Confirm that you captured the intended microphone, the intended computer playback and a usable volume. Lower the source/input level if the recording sounds clipped or distorted.
Use headphones when recording your voice alongside computer playback to reduce the chance of the microphone picking up the speakers again.
Trim the recording in the waveform
After Stop & open, the audio appears in the editor. Play it and drag over a time range to select the part you want to edit. Check the selection’s start, end and duration before deleting or applying an effect.
Remove an unwanted lead-in or ending carefully, preview the result and use Undo if the edit is wrong. Keep an unedited export when you may need another version later. See the waveform editing and audio effects guide for the editing steps.
Export the recording as an audio file
Choose File > Convert / Export…, or press Ctrl + Shift + X. Select an output format and review the available export settings before saving to a new filename.
MP3 suits a listening workflow that accepts MP3. PCM WAV is useful when another editor asks for uncompressed audio. Exporting to a lossless format preserves the audio you have; it does not repair clipping or restore information that was never captured.
Open the saved file in a separate player and check its beginning, end, duration and source balance. An editor project and an exported playable audio file serve different purposes.
No sound, the wrong source or an empty recording?
- No microphone: check that the microphone is connected, selected and allowed in Windows microphone privacy settings.
- No computer sound: start playback first, then check that the selected system device matches the output used by the other app.
- Wrong balance with two sources: review both device selections and Mix layout. The split layout intentionally separates the sources into left and right.
- Distortion: lower the recording/source level and make another short test. Lowering an already clipped file cannot reconstruct the damaged peaks.
Device availability depends on your Windows audio devices and drivers. This app records accessible audio sources; it is not a tool for removing media protection.
Questions before you start
Can I record the microphone and computer sound together?
Yes, the recording window offers a second-source option. Review both device selections and choose whether to mix to stereo or split microphone and system sound to left and right.
Why is the computer-audio recording silent?
Make sure playback is running and the chosen system-audio device matches the output used by the other app. Make a short test and inspect the meters before a long recording.
Is opening the recording the same as saving an MP3?
No. Stop & open loads the take into the editor. Use Convert / Export… to create the playable output file, then check it in a separate player.
Download the free app
CyberPower Audio Editing Lab is free for its supported features. No subscription or paid activation is required.
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