Share via

Is there a way to determine the bitrate of Windows 10 system audio ("Stereo Mix")?

Anonymous
2023-01-22T23:29:39+00:00

Occasionally I need to record sound directly from my computer by using Stereo Mix as input. When saving the file, I set the bitrate depending on what I'm using the audio for, ranging from 160 to 256 kbps, but if the actual stream had a lower bitrate, my higher bitrate just increases the file size without enhancing the quality, correct? If that's so, is there a way to determine the stream's bitrate?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

5 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Rodrigo Queiroz 77,500 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-01-23T00:20:10+00:00

    Hi GF1701,

    I'm Rodrigo and I will help you.

    You are right, saving the file with a higher bitrate than the source file will not improve the audio quality.

    To set the Stereo Mix bitrate, right-click the volume icon on the taskbar > Sounds > recording tab > double click Stereo Mix > Advanced tab > Select the sample rate and bit depth on the dropdown menu.

    Depending on the application you use to record the audio if it takes exclusive control of the audio device, this configuration should be done on the program, changing this setting on Windows will not make difference.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Rodrigo Queiroz 77,500 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-01-23T05:25:54+00:00

    it is the bitrate, but for audio devices is used the sample rate, because it is not a digital information (yet), for files and digital transmission (audio, video) is used the bit rate, it is not exactly same thing but in this case we can say that it is the same.

    An uncompressed 192kHz sample rate recording will result a 192kbps bitrate audio file.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-01-23T05:10:12+00:00

    What do you call the value that 192kbps represents in this file:

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Rodrigo Queiroz 77,500 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-01-23T01:36:48+00:00

    The sample rate is the bitrate.

    If you can't change the sample rate, or the application took exclusive control (and you be able to change it after closing the application) or this is the only format that your audio driver allows.

    The Stereo Mix device is not a Windows feature, it is an option given by your audio driver and the options can vary depending on your audio processor and driver.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2023-01-23T01:14:20+00:00

    Thanks for that. Two questions: First, I don't see any mention of bitrate, which was my original question. Second, I noticed that my default sample rate is 48000 HZ, with no option for 44100, which is what you have selected in your sample (and all my recorded music files are set to). Why might that be?

    0 comments