Audio Recording Tutorial

i-Sound Recorder is a powerful tool for capturing and editing sound on Windows. It allows you to record voice, system sound, Internet radio, VoIP conversations and even analog sources such as vinyl or cassettes.

In this guide, we will tell you how to use all the main functions of the program, from simple to complex. You will learn how to configure the program to record from the source you need. We will also give advice based on personal experience so that you can avoid typical mistakes of beginners.

1 Recording voice from a microphone

If you want to record your voice for a podcast or just make a voice memo, the first step is to set up your microphone.

Prepare your equipment

Make sure your microphone is connected correctly. If there is no sound, you may have connected it to the headphone jack instead of the microphone input. Usually, the microphone port is marked with a microphone icon or a color indicator (pink). If you are using a USB microphone, there should be no problems: connect the device, the system automatically detects it.

Settings in i-Sound Recorder

Launch the program and open the menu Settings -> Mixer to select the recording source. Make sure that the "Microphone" device is selected. The volume control should be set so that the peaks do not reach the red zone - otherwise you will get clips and distortion.

After that, click "Record" and start speaking. The program will show a wave that will move up and down. If nothing happens, check the source and volume level again.

From personal experience: I once used an old microphone that worked, but was too quiet. It took me a while to realize that the problem was in the Windows settings, not in the recorder itself. After enabling the "Microphone boost" option via "Sound Properties", the recording became much better.

2 Recording streaming audio from Internet

If you want to record music from YouTube, Spotify, Twitch or any other streaming service, you need to choose the right audio source.

Setting up the source

Open Settings -> Mixer and select "Stereo Mix" or "Speakers". Both of these inputs allow you to record sound before it hits the speakers. The first option is preferable, but the second is present on all modern computers.

Recording process

Click "Record", start playback in the browser and monitor the waveform level. It should be clear, without sharp jumps or flat sections. If the sound is too quiet, increase the volume in the player or in the Windows mixer.

When you are done, click "Stop" and save the file in the desired folder. You can choose the FLAC format if quality is important, or AAC if file size is important.

Helpful hint: Using the automatic splitting of recordings by sound will automatically trim the silence and split the songs into separate files.

3 Converting protected WMA, AAC, M4P files to MP3(non-protected)

If you have an audio file that won't open in other programs due to DRM restrictions, don't despair.

i-Sound Recorder offers a simple solution: recording sound during playback. That is, you simply launch the file in the media player, and the program records what it hears.

Steps:

Open i-Sound Recorder.
Go to Settings -> Mixer and select "Stereo Mix" or "What U Hear" as the source.
Start playing the protected file in Windows Media Player, iTunes or any other player.
Click "Record" and wait for the track to finish.
Save in the desired format: MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG.

This method works even with files that cannot be opened directly. However, keep in mind: if you change the original volume level during recording, this will affect the quality.

From personal experience: I used this method to convert old audiobooks from Audible (AAX) to MP3. It helped me listen to them in the car, on a regular CD player.

4 Recording VoIP conversations (both sides)

If you are doing an interview, a business call or just want to save the history of the conversation, it is very important to record not only your voice, but also the interlocutor.

Connection and selection of the source

To record both sides of the conversation, the sound must go through one channel. To do this, in Settings -> Mixer, select "Stereo Mix" or "Speakers" as the source. If you are listening to the interlocutor, but not your voice, then read the guide on redirecting sound from the microphone to the speakers.

If you are using VoIP programs like Skype, Discord or Zoom, make sure that they play sound through the same output as your recorder.

Automation with VOX

For convenience, you can activate the VOX (Voice Activation System) mode in the Settings -> VOX section. Then the program will record only when it hears sound, saving disk space and simplifying subsequent editing.

Personally, I often use this mode when doing long interviews - then the files are compact and without pauses between phrases.

5 Recording from compact cassette, turntable

If you love classic technology or just want to save old recordings, i-Sound Recorder will help you convert them to digital form.

Connecting equipment

Connect Line Out of your device (vinyl turntable, cassette player, tape recorder) to Line In of your computer. This can be a 3.5 mm audio cable, RCA-to-jack adapter or a special USB interface.

If you do not have Line In, you can use an external audio interface, for example, Focusrite Scarlett Solo , Behringer U-Phoria UM2 , or even a desktop voice recorder with the ability to connect to a PC.

Settings in the program

In i-Sound Recorder, go to Settings -> Mixer and select "Line In" or "Stereo Mix" depending on the connection. Make sure that the level control is in the green zone, not in the red - otherwise you will get distortion.

Press "Record", start playback on your analog device and wait until it finishes. After that, click "Stop" and save the file.

Tip: If you are recording vinyl, it is worth using the WAV or FLAC format to preserve maximum quality. This will allow you to improve the sound in an audio editor before saving in a more compact form.

6 Working with the waveform: why it's important

A waveform is a graphical representation of sound. The higher the peaks, the louder the signal. This helps you visually navigate what you've recorded. When you record voice, music, or conversations, the waveform shows:

Where the speech begins and ends
Any sections with clips or silence
Which parts of the sound are the loudest and which need correction

You can install a free add-on for the recorder that allows you to perform basic operations for viewing and editing audio. The program allows you to zoom in and out of the waveform, select specific sections, and delete them. For example, you can remove commercials, repeats, or background noise manually, even before saving the file.

From personal experience: I once recorded a podcast series, but several episodes had clicks and silence. Thanks to the ability to work with waveform, I was able to quickly trim the excess and equalize the volume without launching third-party editors.

7 Tips for a perfect recording

Use Stereo Mix if it is displayed in the mixer. If the sound card driver does not support it, then go to Speakers.
Check the signal level before starting. If the wave is constantly in the red zone, then clipping will occur and the sound will be spoiled. You need to turn down the volume on the source.
Use VOX mode if you are making long recordings and do not want them to have large periods of silence.
Add tags manually , especially if you are making podcasts or audiobooks. For songs, use the automatic recognition and download of metadata.
Test the microphone or analog input before recording. Even if everything seems fine, it is better to listen to a test run than to redo everything after.

8 FAQ

Is it possible to record audio from Spotify or YouTube?

Yes, if you select "Stereo Mix" or "Speakers" as the source. Just make sure that the audio is played through the same device.

How do I save a recording in WAV or FLAC?

Select the desired format in the Settings -> Output format menu. WAV and FLAC will save the audio without loss, which is especially important for archiving.

Can the program record only voice and not music?

Yes, if you use a microphone and turn off other sources. You can also manually select sections of the waveform and delete the excess.

How do I remove silence after recording?

In the "Editing" section, there is a "Remove silence" function that will automatically trim the beginning and end if there is no audio.

Is it possible to record multiple sources at the same time?

Yes, to do this, you need to set up sound mixing at the system level. For example, you can record your voice and system sound at the same time if you are working on video reviews.

9 Conclusion

i-Sound Recorder is a versatile program that is suitable not only for simple recording, but also for more complex tasks: from voice processing to converting old analog recordings to digital format.

It supports working with several sources: microphone, stereo output, Line In, Internet streams and even Skype calls. At the same time, the interface remains clear even for beginners, and the ability to edit the waveform allows you to make neat and professional recordings.

The main thing is not to forget to check the sound level, use the appropriate formats and set up the source correctly.

So get to work: connect the microphone, adjust the parameters and record what really matters. And let your voice notes, podcasts and audio archives be clean, clear and ready to use at any time.