Prepare your computer to record. Connect the microphones you want to use, and test them. See Section 5.2.4, “Post-Install Test: Playback” and Section 5.2.5, “Post-Install Test: Record” for instructions to test your equipment.

Check the sample rate and sample format. See Section 5.3.3, “Set the Project's Sample Rate and Format” for instructions to change the sample rate and sample format.

The Record button shows a red circle. When you are ready to record, click the Record button.

The Stop button shows an orange square. Click the Stop button to stop the recorder.

* Audacity displays the recorded audio in the timeline of a track, as a blue, sound-wave-like shape that represents the volume level. Audacity sometimes displays the blue shape immediately, and sometimes only after you click Stop. When Audacity does not show the blue shape immediately, it does not have enough processor power, and decides to process the audio instead of the blue shape.