Recording audio in live meetings?

[yetanotherlogin]

Hello,

As an alternative to a camcorder to record live meetings, I'm thinking of using a laptop with OBS.

Video can be captured with a webcam, but what are the options to capture audio?

Depending on the context, I could either use a microphone or run an audio cable from the mixing board/loudspeaker to the computer through either USB or the mic input.

What affordable hardware would you recommend?

Thank you.

[betwixt]

Most modern webcams have built in microphones. Plugging into a USB socket will make your OS see a video device and an audio device so no external mic would be needed.
Note the OBS can be used but it is really for broadcasting rather than recording, it is an excellent program but you might find ones better for capturing and recording.

Brian.

[yetanotherlogin]

Thanks for the idea. In case the laptop is too far from the audio source, I'll have to run a cable from the computer for better performance.

What other Windows software should I look at for capturing and recording?

[betwixt]

Sorry, I can't help with Windows software, I switched to Linux years ago and haven't touched Windows since. You could try VLC, "Media/Capture Device" then select the webcam.

Brian.

[4kblurayguru]

What affordable hardware would you recommend?

Thank you.

zoom h1 recorder $60

use on board mic or run cable to line in

[yetanotherlogin]

Thanks for the idea

Apparently, line-in requires adding a DI unit before connecting it to the computer's mic input.

What about using a good quality microphone instead?

[johns0]

Android or apple might be easier to use for camera and audio.

[yetanotherlogin]

I might go that way if a laptop + microphone + webcam + recording software doesn't work well.