Is it possible to record audio from just one application on windows?

I want to be able to record audio from a single application running on Windows 7 So for example, If I want to record application A, and my internet browser plays a noise from a advertisement, the recording does not pick up this noise I know you can change the volume of all applications independently using the mixer inbuilt to windows, but I want the noise filtered, so I could even watch a film without interupting the recording of sounds from application A.

1,847 1 1 gold badge 23 23 silver badges 42 42 bronze badges asked Jan 16, 2013 at 10:27 857 2 2 gold badges 9 9 silver badges 16 16 bronze badges Do you have a specialist sound card? Commented Jan 16, 2013 at 10:29 Nope, just on-board sound. :( Commented Jan 16, 2013 at 10:31

10 Answers 10

This is possible, but it depends on the software and the sound card.

Sound cards can have multiple inputs/outputs and will allow signals to be routed. Therefore it is possible, if the software allows it, for you to select what output to use. At this point, you can route the signal.

So, based upon the likelyhood of the software giving you this option (which is minimal if not designed to allow this), coupled with an on-board sound card, I'd say no.

answered Jan 16, 2013 at 10:32 25.4k 11 11 gold badges 59 59 silver badges 70 70 bronze badges

Yes it's possible using a software.

You can use a small software called Virtual Audio Cable. http://software.muzychenko.net/eng/vac.htm

After installation, it will create a new sound card with a playback on you real sound card. Then by "cheating". You choose the virtual sound card by default then you launch your application. Then choose your real sound card again and you will be able to record from the virtual sound card and listen from your real sound card.

Put every application you want to record on the virtual sound card and it's ok.

Of course in your recording software be careful to choose the right sound card.

answered Jan 16, 2013 at 10:59 DontPanic57 DontPanic57 151 4 4 bronze badges Nice lateral thinking Commented Nov 13, 2013 at 19:44 But how do you "put" an application on the virtual sound card? Commented Sep 15, 2016 at 8:39

Hi, you can use this software since windows 10 handle a bit differently the audio system. github.com/audiorouterdev/audio-router

Commented Nov 15, 2016 at 9:57

These instructions are not clear enough. I have installed VAC and a "Line 1" "playback device" and "Line 1" and "Mic 1" recording devices have appeared. What exactly I am meant to do then?

Commented Nov 9, 2022 at 8:18

Since may 10, 2022, there's a windows native way to capture an audio stream from a single process. See this example.

I don't know any app that actually uses it yet though.

answered Mar 20, 2023 at 17:15 123 5 5 bronze badges

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Commented Mar 20, 2023 at 17:22

I know you can change the volume of all applications independently using the mixer inbuilt to windows

There is your answer isn't it. Mute sounds from all other applications except the one you want to hear/record

answered Jan 16, 2013 at 10:38 1,209 1 1 gold badge 8 8 silver badges 11 11 bronze badges

I could be recording for a while and would like to use my computer normally, (listen to music, watch youtube). But your right this is a definite fall back option

Commented Jan 16, 2013 at 10:46

-1 because you have failed to answer the question. The question is a good one and many, including myself, understand why you might want output from a single app to be channelled into a recording app, while not recording any other sounds being directed to the loudspeakers.

Commented Nov 9, 2022 at 7:36

This basically requires recording audio from a process instead of system wide audio. It was not possible until now.

A normal recording software will records system wide audio, this is achieved by calling Windows WSAPI API loopback device. This will includes all audio source that active at that time.

Recently a company called D3DGear has developed a technology to record audio just from one process, it will not include background audios from other process. You can check D3DGear to see details of their audio technologies.

answered Jan 24, 2018 at 22:56 9 2 2 bronze badges

How do applications like D3DGear and Discord get the audio from a single process? Is it some kind of WASAPI extension? Or is it some hack like injecting themselves into the application process?

Commented Mar 21, 2021 at 17:36

People should really say when they're recommending proprietary. A licence for this is currently $30. What this means inevitably (for me and I suspect many others) is that it goes right to the bottom of the list of candidates. There seem to be lots of suggestions for this problem, so even the "15-day free trial" is of no interest, unless NO other solution can be found.

Commented Nov 9, 2022 at 7:34

The easiest an quickest way I found was to follow the instructions in this article and use the Audacity audio editing software to record the WSAPI software device. This has the added benefit that you don't need to use different programs to record and edit.

In the Audacity device toolbar (the third toolbar from the top in the default layout) you need to change the audio host (the first drop-down) to "Windows WSAPI". You then need to change the audio device (the second drop-down) to something appropriate - this will vary - you may need to select a loopback device, or you may to just use the same device as with regular recording - some trial and error is needed.

Press record in Audacity, then play the audio in the application you want to record and you should see the waveform appear in Audacity as it records.