WASAPI Setup

ARIA uses Windows Audio Session API (WASAPI) loopback to capture your system audio - including the interviewer's voice - with zero additional processes and no visible recording indicators. This page explains how to configure it correctly.

Why WASAPI? Unlike virtual audio cables or third-party drivers, WASAPI loopback is a native Windows API. It leaves no extra processes in Task Manager and produces no audio artifacts that a meeting platform can detect.

Setup steps

  1. 1

    Open Windows Sound settings

    Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and select Open Sound settings, or go to Settings → System → Sound.

  2. 2

    Enable recording devices

    Scroll to the Input section and click More sound settings. In the classic Sound panel, go to the Recording tab. Right-click an empty area and make sure Show Disabled Devices is checked.

  3. 3

    Enable Stereo Mix (if available)

    If you see Stereo Mix in the list, right-click it and select Enable. Set it as the default recording device. This is the simplest option for most consumer hardware.

  4. 4

    Select your device in ARIA

    Open ARIA → Settings → Audio. Under System Audio Capture, choose the same output device (speakers or headphones) that your video call plays through. ARIA uses WASAPI loopback on that device.

  5. 5

    Test the capture

    Click Test Capture in the ARIA audio settings. Play a video or audio clip on your computer. You should see the waveform indicator move. If it does, ARIA is capturing system audio correctly.

Supported configurations

SetupWorks?Notes
Speakers / headphones (default)✓ YesWASAPI loopback on default output
USB headset with own sound card✓ YesSelect the USB device in ARIA audio settings
Bluetooth headphones⚠ UsuallySome BT stacks have loopback restrictions; test first
Virtual audio cable (e.g. VB-Cable)✓ YesRoute call audio through the virtual device
Exclusive mode applications⚠ LimitedDisable exclusive mode in device Properties -> Advanced

Troubleshooting audio issues

No audio captured - waveform flat

Make sure ARIA is set to loopback the same device your call audio plays through. Check that the device is not muted in Windows Volume Mixer.

Choppy or delayed transcription

Close other applications using the audio device. Set the audio device sample rate to 44100 Hz in Device Properties -> Advanced.

ARIA only captures microphone, not system audio

Verify the device selected in ARIA -> Settings -> Audio is an output device (playback), not an input (recording) device.

Still having trouble? See the Troubleshooting guide or email contact@ariainterview.com.