My New Microphone How To Record Audio On A Chromebook

Though Chromebooks certainly have limitations compared to standard Windows and Mac laptops and computers, recording audio can still be done easily. There are many browser-based audio recording apps for Chromebook users.

While there are advantages to having a PC over a Chromebook, you don't need a PC to record or edit sound. The options available for Chromebooks work perfectly well.

How do I record audio on my Chromebook? Recording audio on a Chromebook can be done with browser-based tools and apps. Web-based DAWs are also available for Chromebook audio recording. You can also use Chrome's developer mode to record audio if you're apt to do so.

As long as you have a microphone, audio recording is easy. Sometimes, you don't even need to download an app. You can go to a website, hit the record button, and download an audio file right away.

Websites For Recording Audio On A Chromebook

Numerous websites allow Chromebook users to record audio quickly. The 4 we'll discuss here are:

Reverb Record
Vocaroo
Mic Note
Anchor

Reverb Record

Reverb Record is as easy as it gets. There is nothing but a record button when you first visit the site, so it couldn't be simpler. All you have to do is click the button and then click the button again to stop recording.

After you are finished recording, you will be given a few options of what to do with your audio file, such as share it or embed it.

While Reverb Record does not require you to create an account, you can sign up if you want to see a list of audio files you have created. You can also download a Chrome extension for the service.

Vocaroo

Vocaroo is another great site. It is just as easy to use as Reverb Record. You can create a QR code for the audio file as well as download or embed it.

Mic Note

Mic Note is another good choice. This is not an editing program. Instead, it is for people who want to take notes as audio rather than text.

If you take notes by speaking rather than writing or typing, it can be easier to remember what you want to. With Mic Note, you can store all your notes online to be accessible from all of your devices. You can use Mic Note for any audio recording you want to do.

Anchor

If you are interested in podcasting, Anchor is the best choice. Anchor is an excellent browser-based podcasting platform perfect for a Chromebook user.

You have to sign up for an account first, but it is still quick and easy to use. After signing up and logging in, you can record your podcast and send it to popular podcast platforms.

Web-Based Digital Audio Workstations For Chromebook

If you need to do more than merely record audio, you need a sound editing program or digital audio workstation.

Thankfully, you do not need a Windows or Mac OS machine to edit sound. You can download an app or use a browser-based audio editing tool.

The top DAWs such as Avid Pro Tools, Apple Logic Pro, Ableton Live, FL Studio, Steinberg Cubase and PreSonus One aren't available.

However, there are choices for web-based DAWs for Chromebook, including:

Audiotool
Bandlab
Beautiful Audio Editor
FL Studio For Chromebook
Music Maker Jam
Soundtrap

Audiotool

Audiotool is a powerful online music production DAW that runs directly in your browser. It features an impressive collection of virtual instruments and effects, incorporates MIDI and sample editing, allows for live collaboration, and lets users upload their work to the cloud.

Bandlab

Bandlab is another superb web-based DAW that runs in the Chrome browser. It's a free music creation platform used by millions around the world to make and share their music. It features over 200 virtual instruments and effects, allows users to import and record audio, and makes collaboration super easy.

Beautiful Audio Editor

While it is no longer updated, Beautiful Audio Editor is a great tool. It runs right in your browser – you don't have to download anything.

You can record and edit multiple tracks of audio, and it is easy to use. There are plenty of filters and other sound editing options. The editor does not work as well if you are editing very long sound files.

FL Studio Mobile

Yes, FL Studio Mobile is the mobile version of the well-known and powerful DAW, FL Studio. The mobile version can be used within Chrome to create and save complete multi-track music projects. Record, sequence, edit, mix, and render complete songs with this excellent digital audio workstation.

Music Maker Jam

Music Maker Jam is a much more limited program for Chromebooks that allows users to record their own audio. However, it's designed more for remixing, allowing users to choose from hundreds of Mix Packs across all genres or remix the tracks of hot artists and producers to create their own take on a song.

Soundtrap

Soundtrap is yet another online DAW application. It offers an extensive collection of beats, loops, and instruments and the functionality to connect your own instruments. It utilizes MIDI, features automation and Antares AutoTune, and offers many other functions of modern digital audio workstations.

The projects are stored online in the cloud, and collaboration with other users is made easy.

Recording Audio Using Developer Mode

You can also use developer commands to record audio on a Chromebook. Usually, this is not the best idea – you have to put your Chromebook into developer mode, which is not for everyone and has a lot of drawbacks.

All locally stored data will be wiped if you turn developer mode on. This is not a good solution for most people. Don't turn developer mode on just to record audio.

However, if you already have developer mode on, you can record audio easily. First, press ctrl+alt to open a prompt for text commands. Then, type in sound record [seconds] for however many seconds you want to record sound for.

For example, you would type sound record [60] to record sound for one minute or sound record [600] for ten minutes. You can also use text commands to play sound files. If you type sound file [file location], it will play.

Should You Get An External Microphone?

If your Chromebook doesn't have an internal microphone, you will need an external one. You could either buy a headset or buy a standalone microphone.

Even if your Chromebook has an internal microphone, a standalone microphone will give you better audio quality. Opt for an external mic if you want to record more than a little audio, such as for a podcast.

Microphones are not very expensive. If you are going to put any time into recording, a decent standalone microphone is worth the money. Standalone microphones also make you sound better on Skype.

How Do You Set A Microphone Up On A Chromebook?

Not every microphone will work on a Chromebook, so find out if it is compatible before buying it. Usually, getting a microphone to work is a very quick and easy process.

You will plug your microphone in, and your operating system will automatically consider your external microphone to be your default microphone. It will stop considering your internal microphone to be the default as soon as you plug it in.

You should be able to use your microphone immediately after you plug it in. As soon as your microphone is hooked up, you can find a website for recording audio. These websites are very easy to use – you just click a record button.

Sometimes, a Chromebook won't automatically register your external microphone to be your default microphone. In that case, you need to go into the audio settings and change it.

You should see the time on the bottom right of your screen, an icon for how much battery power you have, and an icon for how strong your internet connection is. If you click on the icons at the bottom right, you will bring up a menu with many options, including a volume slider.

To the right of the volume slider, there is a headphones icon. Click on the headphones icon to see what audio devices are hooked up to your Chromebook.

Click on the external microphone you want to use. You can also use this menu to switch between speakers or any other audio device.

Usually, your operating system will realize you want to use the microphone you plugged in and automatically switch to it. However, this sometimes doesn't happen, and you will have to change it manually.

To learn more about connecting external mics to Chromebooks, check out my article How To Connect An External Microphone To A Chromebook.

How do I fix audio issues in my web browser? Web browser audio issues often have to do with the device’s audio input/output configurations rather than the browser. However, extensions, apps, add-ons, cache, cookies, improper installation and outdated browser versions could be the cause behind browser-based audio issues.

Further reading: How To Fix Web Browser Audio (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Etc.)

How To Record Audio On A Chromebook