How to Play Sounds Over Skype Without Having to Put the Mic Up to the Speaker

By Todd Bowerman

Playing computer sounds via Skype can help with presentations or meetings.
i Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images

When communicating with friends or clients via Skype, it occasionally becomes necessary to play sounds from your computer over the connection. Reasons for this are myriad: Maybe your client needs to hear an audio sample, or perhaps you have a favorite song you would like to share. Whatever the reason, you can play your computer’s audio through Skype with some quick settings modifications.

Step 1

Right-click the “Speakers” icon on your Windows taskbar. Select “Recording Devices.”

Step 2

Right click an empty space on the “Select a recording device” pane and click “Show Disabled Devices.” You will see a new device titled “Stereo Mix.” Right-click this and select “Enable.”

Step 3

Click “OK” to close the “Recording Devices” pane. Open Skype.

Step 4

Click “Tools” and select “Options” in the Skype application.

Step 5

Click the “Audio Settings tab.” Click the drop-down next to “Microphone” and select “Stereo Mix” from the available options. Click “Save” to apply the changes. Once saved, all audio on your computer, including that of your microphone and open applications, will be audible to anyone you're communicating with via Skype.

×