Make Live recordings on Your Laptop or PC

How can you use your laptop to record from your Mixing desk?

I have been using audacity it free to download software, and a 2 port USB sound adaptor which has 2 x XLR balanced inputs and 2 x phono out (£25 from CPC - Farnel). (there are numerous adaptors with a range of inputs, normally only stereo).

1. Connect up the usb adaptor (mine doesn't require additional  drivers, uses the standard window susb Drivers).

2. Start up Audacity

3. You may need to change the sound source with in audacity (File Preferences or edit - Options)

4. Click the record button and it should record.

There are many options and settings within the software which makes it very versatile.