How to Record to a USB Sound Card
- 1). Install the recording software or utility provided with your USB sound card, if applicable. You may need to install drivers from a setup CD, if one was included, so that the sound card will work properly on your computer.
- 2). Insert the sound card into an available USB port on your computer.
- 3). Insert the output plug of your microphone into the appropriate jack on the sound card. The port typically will be labeled "Mic" or will show a microphone icon.
- 4). Download and install a sound recording utility if one was not provided with your USB sound card and the user manual indicates that additional software is required. Consider SoundForge Audacity, Cool Media Free Sound Recorder or Blaze Media Pro Sound Recorder, as these programs are all freeware. Try Garage Band if you are an Apple user -- it comes preloaded onto your computer.
- 5). Launch your recording software. Depending on the options selected during installation, you may be able to launch the utility from your desktop or by clicking "Start," "Programs" and then the application. Otherwise, navigate to the folder containing the recording software and double-click on the program executable.
- 6). Set your USB sound card as the audio input device in your recording utility's preferences. Alternatively, you may set the sound card as the computer's default audio input device in your system preferences.
- 7). Click the "Record" button in your software to begin capturing audio through the USB sound card.
