How to use speaker output as mic. input?

[PerpetualImperfexion]

Hi, I was looking for a piece of software that allows me to take what would be coming out of my speakers and make the computer think it's coming from a microphone. I would use this for applications like skype, teamspeak, and mumble. If you have an suggestions they would be much appreciated, thanks in advance.

[Rayquaza]

I'm sure on Windows Vista and Windows 7, there's a recording device (Which is disabled by default) called Stereo Mix. That's basically a microphone that inputs what you can hear coming out of the speakers. Also, recording programs such as Fraps and Camtasia Studio are able to record sound coming from the speakers too.

[Darkness.]

Wait what? So you want your speakers to input sound (like a microphone) instead of them outputting sound? If that is the case, then as far as I know, you can't do that.

Ok it looks like I'm wrong, nevermind.

[Commander Thor]

I'm sure on Windows Vista and Windows 7, there's a recording device (Which is disabled by default) called Stereo Mix. That's basically a microphone that inputs what you can hear coming out of the speakers. Also, recording programs such as Fraps and Camtasia Studio are able to record sound coming from the speakers too.
Depends on the sound card.
But generally Realtek cards will have the "Stereo Mix" option, and Creative (Sound Blaster) cards will have a "What U Hear" option.
And that feature is only on select cards, if you don't see the option after you check "Show Disabled Devices", then your card doesn't support software recording from your line out.

[Silicate Wielder]

most computers today can use their own soundcard's output as an input. provided it is supported by the Operating system.

[TheMatrix]

I know for a fact that ALSA and PulseAudio(on Linux and some BSD) have this option, In fact, you don't even need a sound card. I use ALSA, which is as simple as muting all channels besides "PCM" and starting your favourite sound recorder. In PulseAudio, you need to take a few extra steps.

For Windoze XP, I think there was an option of choosing a channel on the default "Sound Recorder". You are limited to 60 seconds of audio at a time, though. In Windoze 7, somebody at M$ had the brilliant idea of simplifying that all away, so I have no idea how to do it now.
You might be able to do it with VLC, you can on the Linux version, anyways.

[darkwoon]

As long as the sound card / chipset supports full duplex mode, you should be able to do it (most modern chipsets support that mode).

One way to do it is to use Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net). You can find a tutorial on how to do this here. (http://manual.audacityteam.org/help/manual/man/tutorial_recording_audio_playing_on_the_computer.html)

If the pure digital way doesn't work for you, you can also use a jack-jack pass-through cable between your audio output and line in plugs. You'll have some minor loss of quality, but that shouldn't be a problem as long as your cable has not been chewed by an old yak :)

[Blur]

Hi, I was looking for a piece of software that allows me to take what would be coming out of my speakers and make the computer think it's coming from a microphone. I would use this for applications like skype, teamspeak, and mumble. If you have an suggestions they would be much appreciated, thanks in advance.

I wanted the same you wanted OP. My audio interface is an external sound card (Tascam US144 Mk2) so it does not support the "Stereo Mix" option available by default in most integrated audio cards.
What people are proposing in the thread, if I understand correctly, are ways of recording the audio to your PC. What you seem to want though, is to broadcast what you're listening to live through Skype, Mumble, etc.

What you need to use is Virtual Audio Cable (VAC):
Virtual Audio Cable (http://software.muzychenko.net/eng/vac.htm)
(If I shouldn't be posting links then just PM me or take it down mods)

The free version should be enough for what you want (which is a virtual cable routing Output to Input and you select the input as your VoIP input in Skype, etc).

Here's an example tutorial to broadcast music in Mumble that I used:
Ask.com - How To Play Music in Mumble (http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/thenewgamershandbook/ss/How-To-Play-Music-in-Mumble.htm)

Otherwise, if you have an onboard sound card "Stereo Mix" should work fine (google it).

My audio broadcast would chop though, but I believe it was because I'd dun goofed on the settings.
If you have any more questions fell free to ask!