dumb Audacity's recording my computer instead of my mic. = w =

So, yeah.
I'm currently using my sister's laptop due to my computer being a jerk, and I can't record right.

I installed Audacity here some time ago, but no matter how many times I re-install it, refresh the computer, or even use different versions, it still gives me the same problem.

Whenever I press the record button, it starts recording whatever my computer's playing [be it the off vocal that I want to record on, or the music I'm listening to] rather than my microphone only.

When there's nothing playing, and I hit record, it records my mic just fine. Maybe a little low for my taste, but at least it records. > w >;


Does anyone have any idea of how to help me? ; w ;

I'm looking at the mac version, but there should be an option somewhere to set the device that Audacity records from. Maybe it has the system output set as the default audio device?

Tips
- Make sure you record with music from your volume rather low or your mic away from the speakers if you have no earphones in.
- It sounds like you're on stereomix rather than microphone mix. Go to the preferences in Audacity and see how each recording setting comes out.
- If that doesn't work, you'll need to go into your control panel then sounds and make sure the correct mic is your default mic.

It's highly likely that, if the laptop has a built in mic, the computer is recording straight from that. It does require quite a bit of playing around but the solution is very simple. Just try the preferences.