How to Record Microphone and System Audio
Below is a detailed guide on how to record audio and configure the settings in oCam.
Recording System Audio by Default
When you start screen recording with oCam, system audio is recorded automatically by default. This includes all sounds played on your computer, such as video audio, game sound effects, and system notification sounds. This setting is applied immediately without any extra steps, making it very convenient for users who want to record only system audio. For example, when recording gameplay footage or creating software tutorial videos, you can capture only the system audio cleanly.
Recording Microphone Audio as Well
If you want to record microphone audio together with system audio, you only need to adjust the settings slightly in oCam. First, click the "Sound" button on the main screen of oCam. A pop-up window for sound settings will then appear. In this window, a list of available microphone devices is shown, and you can select the microphone you want to use. For example, if you are using an external microphone or a headset microphone, simply select and enable that device. Through this process, both system audio and microphone audio are recorded at the same time, which is very useful when creating lecture videos or recordings that require live narration.
Applying the Audio Recording Settings
Once you select the microphone and complete the settings, oCam immediately applies them. After that, when you start recording, both system audio and microphone audio will be recorded together. This feature is especially effective for situations where both your voice and system sound need to be captured at the same time, such as YouTube content creation, online classes, or game streaming. To make sure the settings have been applied correctly, it is a good idea to run a short test recording and check whether the audio is being recorded properly.
Disabling Audio Recording
Sometimes you may want to capture only the screen video without recording any sound at all. In that case, uncheck the "Record System Audio" option in the sound settings window of oCam, and select "Do Not Record Microphone" in the microphone settings as well. With this configuration, oCam records only the screen video without any sound, which is suitable for tasks where a silent video is needed, such as when you plan to add background music separately later.
Today's News/Tips
Useful Tips for Microphone Recording in Windows 7 or Later
When recording microphone and system audio with oCam, knowing how to adjust the sound balance and audio quality is an important factor that can greatly improve recording quality. Below is a detailed guide to the settings and tips related to microphone and system audio recording.
1. If you want to record only the microphone
If you want to record only the microphone audio and exclude system audio, click the 'Sound' button in the oCam main window. In the sound settings menu, uncheck the 'Record System Audio' option. With this setting, oCam will record only the microphone input without system audio, allowing you to focus on the microphone sound.
2. If you want to record both the microphone and system audio
To record both microphone and system audio at the same time, click the 'Sound' button in the oCam main window, then select both the 'Record System Audio' and 'Microphone' options. With this setting, you can record system audio such as game sound or background music together with voice input from the microphone, such as commentary or conversation. This is useful when you want to create a video in which both sounds blend naturally.
3. If the microphone volume is too low
If the microphone volume is too low and hard to hear, you can adjust the microphone volume through the Windows sound settings. Follow the steps below:
- Open 'Control Panel' from the Start menu and click 'Sound'.
- In the Sound settings window, go to the 'Recording' tab.
- Find the microphone you are using in the list of recording devices and double-click it to open the 'Microphone Properties' window.
- In the 'Levels' tab, adjust the 'Microphone Volume' slider to increase the base volume, and if necessary, enable the 'Microphone Boost' option to make the sound louder. With this setting, the microphone audio will be recorded more clearly and at a higher volume.
4. If the system audio is too loud and drowns out the microphone
If the recorded system audio is too loud and makes the microphone hard to hear, you should reduce the system audio volume. You can use the following two methods for this:
- Adjust the volume inside the playback program: If the program producing the system audio, such as a game or media player, has its own volume control option, lower the volume in that program. This reduces the system audio level during recording and helps balance it with the microphone audio.
- Use the Windows Volume Mixer: If the program itself does not allow volume adjustment, right-click the speaker icon in the tray at the bottom right of the taskbar. From the menu that appears, select 'Open Volume Mixer'. This will open the mixer window, where you can adjust the volume of each currently running program individually. Lower the volume slider for that program to reduce the system audio.
*Note*: Lowering the overall Windows speaker volume does not affect the volume of the recorded sound, so you must adjust the volume of the individual program.
5. If increasing the microphone volume only increases noise and the audio quality is poor
If you increased the microphone volume as described in section 3 but the noise became worse or the audio quality is still unsatisfactory, then instead of forcing the microphone volume too high, you should also reduce the system audio appropriately. As explained in section 4, lower the system audio volume to balance it with the microphone audio so that the microphone voice can be heard more clearly. During this process, carefully adjust the balance between the microphone and system audio to find the best sound quality.
6. If you want to further improve microphone quality or completely remove noise
If you want to maximize microphone quality or reduce noise, software settings alone may have limitations. In that case, the most effective solution is to purchase a professional audio interface and a high-quality microphone. Many standard microphones produce a lot of noise or have low audio quality, making it difficult to fully compensate through software. Therefore, using a high-quality audio interface and a matching microphone can give you clear audio with minimal noise. For example, combining a condenser microphone with a USB audio interface can deliver professional-level recording quality.
Use the methods above to adjust the microphone and system audio in oCam the way you want and create the best recording environment. By fine-tuning each setting carefully, you can record better sound quality and more balanced audio.