USB Recording

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This is a very basic guide to recording with USB devices. More detailed information (and Mac instructions) can be found at Recording with USB turntables or USB cassette decks.
Bulb icon If you have just made a recording it is strongly recommended that you immediately export your audio using File > Export > Export Audio... to WAV or AIFF (ideally to an external drive) as a safety copy before you start editing the project.
  • Connect the USB cable of the turntable, or tapedeck, to the computer, then launch Audacity. If Audacity was already running when you connected the cable, restart Audacity or choose Transport > Rescan Audio Devices.
  • Use the Device Toolbar to set the recording and playback devices and set the channels to "2(stereo) Recording Channels":
Device Toolbar - USB recording.PNG
In this example on Windows, the output is set to the named speakers of the built-in computer sound device, the input is set to the USB turntable (usually called or including the phrase "USB Audio CODEC") and recording channels are set to stereo. Windows 10/8/7 calls most USB external devices "microphones". Some higher-end USB recording interfaces may appear as their explicit manufacturer's name.
  • From the Transport Menu check "Software Playthrough" to be "on" to hear the turntable through the computer speakers. This setting can be toggled on/off easily using Transport > Transport Options.
  • Then, ignoring any instructions in the manufacturer's guide to select "stereo mix", simply press the Record button The Record button on Transport Toolbar.


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