How do I record both microphone and system audio on Android?

Recording both microphone and system audio on Android refers to capturing audio input from the device’s microphone as well as internal system sounds and audio output in one recording. This allows you to record your voice, nearby sounds, music or videos playing on the device, game audio, phone call conversations, notification sounds, and any other audio that the device produces into a single file.

This can be useful for recording podcasts, interviews, phone calls, gameplay, and other situations where you want to capture both external audio (from the mic) and internal audio (from the system/app outputs). System audio recording gives a more complete audio capture than just recording from the microphone alone.

Android provides different options for recording system audio, from built-in apps to third party solutions. The steps involve granting microphone permissions, choosing a recording app with system audio capabilities, configuring settings, and properly saving and managing the recordings.

Enable Microphone Permissions

In order for an app to record audio on Android, it needs permission to access the microphone. The microphone permission needs to be enabled at both the system level and for individual apps.

To enable microphone access at the system level on Android, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > App permissions > Microphone. Make sure the switch next to Microphone is turned on. This allows apps to request microphone access.

When you first launch an app that needs microphone access, Android will prompt you to allow or deny the app access. You must select Allow to grant that app permission to use the microphone. If you denied access during the initial prompt, you can enable it by going to Settings > Apps & notifications > App permissions > Microphone and toggling on access for the specific app.

According to Android’s permissions overview, the microphone permission needs to also be declared in the app’s manifest file. So even if a user grants microphone access, the app still needs the proper manifest declaration to actually access the mic.

Checking that microphone permissions are properly enabled both at the system and app level is one of the first troubleshooting steps for microphone issues on Android devices.

Choose a Recording App

There are several good apps available for recording audio on Android devices. Some key options to consider include:

Stock/Preinstalled App – Most Android devices come preinstalled with a basic voice recorder app. This gets the job done for quick recordings, but lacks advanced features like editing tools or audio formats.

Audacity – A popular open source audio editor and recorder, Audacity is available for Android as a free download from Google Play. It provides advanced audio editing tools and high quality recordings. One limitation is that Audacity can be resource intensive on some mobile devices (source).

Easy Voice Recorder – The Easy Voice Recorder app works well for recording interviews, lectures, and meetings. Key features include transcription support, cloud storage, and a simple interface. There’s a free version with ads and a paid Pro version (source).

Dolby On – Developed by Dolby Laboratories, this app provides high quality audio recordings with background noise reduction. It also enables easy sharing to social media. Dolby On is free but requires signing up for a Dolby account (source).

There are many other options, but these apps provide a good starting point for recording audio on Android with a range of features and capabilities.

Record with Stock App

Most Android devices come with a built-in audio recorder app that allows you to record audio from both the microphone and system. Here are the steps to record both microphone and system audio using the stock recorder app on Android:

1. Open the stock recording app, usually called Voice Recorder, Sound Recorder, or something similar.
2. Tap the menu icon or settings cog to access the app settings.
3. Look for an option to enable “Record device audio” or “Record system audio” and toggle it on. The setting name varies by device brand.
4. Go back to the main app screen. Make sure the microphone toggle is enabled.
5. Tap the record button to start recording audio from both the microphone and device system.
6. To stop recording, tap the stop button.

The stock recorder app allows capturing internal audio like music or video playback along with your microphone input. Just be sure to enable the system audio setting first in the app settings. This provides an easy way to record both sources without any extra apps.

Record with Audacity

Audacity is a popular free and open source audio editing and recording software. It’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. Here are the steps to record both microphone and system audio using Audacity on Android:

1. Download and install Audacity from the official website. Make sure to get the Android version.

2. Connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable. Enable USB debugging on your Android device.

3. Open Audacity on your computer. Go to Edit > Preferences > Devices and set the recording device to your Android device.

4. Click Record to start recording audio from your Android device’s microphone.

5. To record system audio from your Android device, enable “Listen to this device” for your Android device’s sound output in your computer’s sound settings.

6. Any system audio played on your Android device will now also be recorded along with your microphone audio in Audacity.

7. When done, click Stop and export the recording to save it on your computer.

This allows recording both microphone and system audio together on Android using Audacity. You can then edit, mix, and export the audio as needed.

Record with Third-Party Apps

In addition to the stock recording app, there are many popular third-party apps you can use to record both microphone and system audio on Android. Here are some steps for recording with a few top options:

RecForge II
– Download and install RecForge II for free from the Google Play Store.
– Open the app and enable permissions to access microphone and storage.
– Tap the microphone icon to record just your voice.

– To include system audio, enable “Record System Audio” in the settings.
– Tap record and select a file format like MP3 to save the recording.

AZ Screen Recorder

– Get AZ Screen Recorder free from the Play Store.
– Allow permissions to microphone, storage, display over apps.
– Toggle on “Record Audio” and “Internal Audio” in the settings.
– Tap record to capture screen, mic, and system sounds.

These apps provide simple interfaces to record high quality audio from both internal and external sources on your Android device.

Convert Recorded Audio

Once you have recorded audio on your Android device, you may want to convert it to a more universal format like MP3 for easier sharing and playback on other devices. There are a few different ways to convert your Android audio recordings:

Use an online audio converter – Services like FreeConvert allow you to upload your Android audio file and convert it to MP3 or other formats. This is quick and easy but requires uploading your file to a third party service.

Use an Android audio converter app – Apps like Audio Converter To Any Format can convert your files directly on your device without needing to upload them. Look for apps that support converting to MP3 and other popular formats.

Use audio editing software on a computer – Connect your Android device to your computer and transfer the audio files over. Then use audio editing software like Audacity to open the files and export them as MP3s.

The benefit of converting to MP3 is that it’s a very common format compatible with almost all media players. This allows you to more easily share your Android recordings and have them play properly on other devices.

Store and Manage Recordings

When recording audio on your Android device, it’s important to properly store and manage your audio files to keep them organized and easy to access. Here are some best practices:

• Choose a dedicated folder – Create a folder specifically for your audio recordings, either on your device’s internal storage or SD card. This keeps them separate from other files. You can name the folder something like “Recordings” or “Audio Memos”.
• Use a file naming convention – When saving recordings, use a file naming convention that includes the date or other identifiers, like “Interview March 1” or “Meeting Notes 3-15”. This makes files easy to recognize.
• Back up recordings – Don’t just store recordings locally on your device. Make sure to back them up regularly to cloud storage or transfer them to a computer. This prevents losing them if your phone is damaged or lost.
• Add metadata – Use an app like Audacity to add metadata tags to your recordings, including title, date, and description. This makes files searchable.
• Use a file manager – An app like Files by Google can help you easily find, organize, rename, and manage audio files.
• Delete old recordings – Remember to periodically delete recordings you no longer need to free up storage space.

Following these tips will keep your audio recordings organized and accessible on your Android device.

Troubleshooting

Many issues can prevent you from properly recording audio on an Android device. Here are some common problems and potential solutions:

If the microphone isn’t picking up any audio, first check that microphone permissions are enabled for the recording app. Open settings, select apps or application manager, choose the recording app, and enable microphone access (source).

Some phone cases or screen protectors can block the microphone, so try removing your case and restarting the device. You may need to clean your microphone port if blocked by dust or debris (source).

Updating to the latest OS version can fix microphone glitches. Go to settings and check for any available system updates (source).

If the microphone works for calls but not recording apps, double check which apps have microphone access enabled in settings. Toggle access on/off for the problematic app.

For low microphone volume, increase the mic gain in your recording app settings or via your Android device’s sound settings if available (source).

If you hear echo or background noise, try changing locations or adjusting recording app settings. Enable noise cancellation or reduce microphone sensitivity if available.

Conclusion

In summary, you have a variety of options for recording both microphone and system audio directly on your Android device. The stock voice recorder app allows basic recording of just your microphone. More advanced apps like Audacity give you greater control and allow simultaneous recording of microphone and device audio. There are also many third party recording apps to choose from in the Play Store, so you can find one with the specific features you need.

A few final tips: Always make sure you’ve enabled microphone permissions for recording apps in your settings. Find a dedicated recording app instead of using the basic voice recorder if you need to capture system audio as well. Use headphones connected to your device if you want to record audio cleanly without background noise. And don’t forget to export and backup your recordings so they aren’t lost if you uninstall an app or reset your phone.

With the right app and a little practice, you can produce professional quality audio recordings using just your Android device.