Recording audio automatically

You can use the Record tool in the bottom pane to set up recording to begin automatically from the selected input device by detecting when audio exceeds a set threshold.

When you're using threshold-triggered recording, you can choose to record continuously: set a buffer size, and the recorded audio will fill the buffer, discarding the oldest data as new data is recorded. If you want to save data from the buffer, you can save it to disk.

If the Record tool is not visible, you can select the Show or hide the bottom pane button or choose View > Record. For more information, see "Arranging editing views."


Recording audio over a set threshold

  1. Click the General tab in the Record tool.

  2. Choose a recording device from the Device drop-down list.

    If your device has multiple inputs, choose Sound Forge > Preferences, and use the Audio tab to map channels to input ports.

  3. Choose Automatic: Threshold from the Method drop-down list.

  4. Choose a setting from the Mode drop-down list to choose whether to create regions or record to a new window when recording is suspended and resumed. For more information, see "The Record tool."

  5. Click the Advanced tab.

  6. If you want to set a prerecord buffer, select the Prerecord buffer check box and type a value in the edit box to maintain a set amount of time in a buffer when Sound Forge Pro is armed for recording. A prerecording buffer helps to ensure you won't miss a perfect take if you've set the threshold a bit too high.

    When the prerecording buffer is enabled, recording begins when the audio input reaches the threshold level and the sound data in the buffer is committed to disk. For example, if you set a 15-second buffer, recording effectively begins 15 seconds before the input reaches the set threshold level.

  7. Use the Threshold control to set the audio level at which recording will begin.

  8. Use the Release control to set the amount of time the audio level should be below the Threshold setting before recording will stop.

  9. Select the Automatically rearm after record check box if you want to continue monitoring audio levels and recording until you click the Stop button .

  10. Click the Arm button . Recording will begin at the cursor position when the audio signal meets the threshold level and will stop after the level falls below the threshold for the specified release time.

  11. Click the Record or Stop button to end recording.

    If you've created a time selection in the editor and Loop Playback is not enabled, the Release setting is ignored and Sound Forge Pro will record the full selection length.

    If you've created a time selection (or loop region) in the editor and Loop Playback is enabled, a new take is recorded each time the cursor returns to the beginning of the selection. Recording will stop after the level falls below the threshold for the specified release time.