How to turn on Stereo Mix in Windows Vista

If you want to record sounds made by your PC you can use the Stereo Mix option in Sound Devices.

Unfortunately, it is not turned on when Windows Vista is installed and disabled devices are normally hidden, so it is tricky finding out about it. Click on the Start button and then on Control Panel. Select Manage Audio Devices in the Sound section.

Click on the recording tab and, if the Stereo Mix option is missing, right-click on an empty part of the window and then left-click on Show Disabled Devices. The Stereo Mix device icon should be shown. Right-click on the icon and select Enable.

This will also work in XP, although the process is slightly different. Remember to select Stereo Mix as your recording device in your recording software.
Alan Reiblein