Difference between revisions of "Audio capture"

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(Supported formats)
(Input mode)
 
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== Recording Devices ==
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Screenbits captures audio from output and input audio devices. You can capture audio either individually in audio capture mode or add it to the captured video when using other [[Capture_mode|capture modes]].
You can record audio from any recording or playback device or both. This includes microphone input or output of speakers. Select an audio device by '''Primary Audio''' or '''Secondary Audio''' button in Main View.
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[[File:Playback-devices.png|frame|left|Figure 1: Playback (Primary) devices]]
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== Input and output audio ==
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Screenbits uses general terms for the audio sources which it can capture.
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The term ''output audio'' refers to the audio which is generated by the system and provided to an external device. This is usually the system sound which you can hear from speakers or headphones. In contrast, ''input audio'' refers to the audio generated by an external device, usually a microphone, and is provided as an input to the system.
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== Audio capture mode ==
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In audio capture mode, audio devices are the only capture source so the output only contains audio, and [[Recorder|recorder]] produces audio files.
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#From the application window, click '''Audio''' button under ''Mode'' section.
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#Under ''Source'' section, enable at least one of the input or audio devices to capture.
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[[File:capture_mode-audio.png|frame|left|Figure 1: Audio Capture (Audio capture mode)]]
 
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[[File:Recording-devices.png|frame|left|Figure 1: Recording (Secondary) devices]]
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=== Notes ===
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*You can manually choose a specific device to capture rather than the default device.
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== Other capture modes ==
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To capture audio in a capture mode other that audio capture mode:
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#From the [[Getting_started#Application_window|application window]], under ''Options'' section, turn '''Output audio''' or '''Input audio''' switch on.
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[[File:Audio-capture.png|frame|left|Figure 2: Audio capture (Screen capture mode)]]
 
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To enable recording a playback device (e.g. Speakers):
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== Input mode ==
#In the main view, click '''Primary Audio''' button to open primary audio menu.
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You can choose the input mode for capturing audio from an input audio device such as a microphone. Currently, two input modes are available: ''Open-mic'' and ''Push-to-talk''.
#Turn '''Record primary audio''' switch on.
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#Click '''Record''' button to start recording.
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In open-mic mode, the input audio gets captured continuously while in push-to-talk mode, input audio gets captured only when the specified push-to-talk key on keyboard is pressed. You can use push-to-talk mode to capture your voice only when you speak.
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To change the input mode:
  
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#From the [[Getting_started#Application_window|application window]], click '''Input audio options''' button next to the input audio switch under ''Options'' or ''Audio'' section to open ''Input audio options''.
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#Select the desired input mode from '''Input mode''' selector.
  
To enable recording a recording device (e.g. Microphone):
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[[File:Input-audio-options.png|frame|left|Figure 3: Input audio options]]
#In the main view, click '''Secondary Audio''' button to open secondary audio menu.
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#Turn '''Record secondary audio''' switch on.
 
#Click '''Record''' button to start recording.
 
  
=== Notes ===
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== Volume ==
*You can select the device to record if you do not want to record the default device.
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Screenbits uses system volume settings to capture audio devices. You can use ''Settings'' app to change volume for output and input audio:
*List of the devices may vary depending on your hardware.
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#Click '''Start''' to open ''Start Menu''.
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#Click '''Settings''' to open ''Settings'' app.
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#Click '''System''' to open ''System'' settings.
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#Click '''Sound''' to change sound settings.
  
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[[File:System-sound-settings.png|frame|left|Figure 4: System sound settings]]
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== Supported formats ==
 
== Supported formats ==
Screenbits supports recording the following audio formats for the input:
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Screenbits supports devices with the following audio formats to capture:
  
 
* 8kHz, 11.025kHz, 16kHz, 22.05kHz, 24kHz, 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz sample rates
 
* 8kHz, 11.025kHz, 16kHz, 22.05kHz, 24kHz, 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz sample rates
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* 16, 24 and 32 bits per sample
 
* 16, 24 and 32 bits per sample
  
If you attempt to record an audio device with an unsupported format, an error message pops up asking you to select a different format for the device.  
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If you attempt to capture an audio device with an unsupported format, an error message pops up asking you to select a different format for the device.  
  
 
To change the default format of an audio device:
 
To change the default format of an audio device:
  
#Select '''Settings''' from ''Recording'' menu to open ''Settings'' view.
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#Click '''Start''' to open ''Start Menu''.
#From ''Input'' section under the ''Audio'' tab, click '''Configure''' to open sound settings.
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#Click '''Settings''' to open ''Settings'' app.
#Right click on name of the device in list under the ''Playback'' or ''Recording'' tab and click '''Properties'''.
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#Click '''System''' to open ''System'' settings.
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#Click '''Sound''' to change sound settings.
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#Click '''Sound Control''' panel under ''Related Settings'' to open ''Sound'' control panel.
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#Right click on name of the device in list under ''Playback'' or ''Recording'' tab and click '''Properties'''.
 
#From ''Default Format'' section under the ''Advanced Tab'' select one of the supported formats above.
 
#From ''Default Format'' section under the ''Advanced Tab'' select one of the supported formats above.
 
#Click '''OK''' to apply changes to the device properties
 
#Click '''OK''' to apply changes to the device properties
  
 
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[[File:Audio-format.png|frame|left|Figure 5: Audio Format - Sound settings]]
[[File:Audio-format.png|frame|left|Figure 2: Audio Format - Sound settings]]
 
 
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== Output format ==
 
Screenbits encodes recorded audio using AAC codec, allows you to configure bit-rate, sample-rate and number of channels for it.
 
 
To change format of the output audio:
 
#Select '''Settings''' from '''Record''' menu to open ''Settings'' dialog.
 
#Click '''Audio''' from the side bar to open ''Audio'' settings.
 
#From ''Output format'' section, select the desired bit-rate, sample-rate and number of channels for the output audio.
 
 
Note: If multiple audio sources are selected, Screenbits mixes both audio streams into a single audio track.
 
 
== Performance ==
 
There are several ways to improve performance of Screenbits. If you want are experiencing glitches in the recorded audio or using Screenbits on a low-end device, follow one or more instructions on below to improve the performance.
 
 
==== Use default formats ====
 
If you record audio, select one of the following formats for the audio device from the [[Audio_recording#Supported_formats|Audio settings]]
 
*2 channel (stereo), 16bit, 44100 Hz 
 
*2 channel (stereo), 16bit, 48000 Hz
 
 
==== Select the same format for multiple devices ====
 
If you record both recording and playback devices, make sure same format is selected for both devices. To make input and output match together to perform better, select '''Auto''' for sample-rate and channels from [[Settings#Audio_settings|Audio settings]].
 

Latest revision as of 15:05, 23 July 2021

Screenbits captures audio from output and input audio devices. You can capture audio either individually in audio capture mode or add it to the captured video when using other capture modes.

Input and output audio

Screenbits uses general terms for the audio sources which it can capture.

The term output audio refers to the audio which is generated by the system and provided to an external device. This is usually the system sound which you can hear from speakers or headphones. In contrast, input audio refers to the audio generated by an external device, usually a microphone, and is provided as an input to the system.

Audio capture mode

In audio capture mode, audio devices are the only capture source so the output only contains audio, and recorder produces audio files.

  1. From the application window, click Audio button under Mode section.
  2. Under Source section, enable at least one of the input or audio devices to capture.
Figure 1: Audio Capture (Audio capture mode)


Notes

  • You can manually choose a specific device to capture rather than the default device.

Other capture modes

To capture audio in a capture mode other that audio capture mode:

  1. From the application window, under Options section, turn Output audio or Input audio switch on.
Figure 2: Audio capture (Screen capture mode)


Input mode

You can choose the input mode for capturing audio from an input audio device such as a microphone. Currently, two input modes are available: Open-mic and Push-to-talk.

In open-mic mode, the input audio gets captured continuously while in push-to-talk mode, input audio gets captured only when the specified push-to-talk key on keyboard is pressed. You can use push-to-talk mode to capture your voice only when you speak.

To change the input mode:

  1. From the application window, click Input audio options button next to the input audio switch under Options or Audio section to open Input audio options.
  2. Select the desired input mode from Input mode selector.
Figure 3: Input audio options


Volume

Screenbits uses system volume settings to capture audio devices. You can use Settings app to change volume for output and input audio:

  1. Click Start to open Start Menu.
  2. Click Settings to open Settings app.
  3. Click System to open System settings.
  4. Click Sound to change sound settings.
Figure 4: System sound settings


Supported formats

Screenbits supports devices with the following audio formats to capture:

  • 8kHz, 11.025kHz, 16kHz, 22.05kHz, 24kHz, 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz sample rates
  • 1 (mono), 2 (stereo), 4, 6 and 8 channels
  • 16, 24 and 32 bits per sample

If you attempt to capture an audio device with an unsupported format, an error message pops up asking you to select a different format for the device.

To change the default format of an audio device:

  1. Click Start to open Start Menu.
  2. Click Settings to open Settings app.
  3. Click System to open System settings.
  4. Click Sound to change sound settings.
  5. Click Sound Control panel under Related Settings to open Sound control panel.
  6. Right click on name of the device in list under Playback or Recording tab and click Properties.
  7. From Default Format section under the Advanced Tab select one of the supported formats above.
  8. Click OK to apply changes to the device properties
Figure 5: Audio Format - Sound settings