How to record streaming audio?

Question

Let's say I want to record part of an internet radio broadcast so that I can listen to it later. Is there a way to route the audio from my web browser into a recording app like Audacity? This seems like it should be simple... can it be done?

Answer 1

Running a cable from your computer's audio output to its input as suggested above works, BUT it will reduce the quality of the recording and add noise. This is because of the extra digital to analog and digital to analog conversion involved, as well as the time spent in your computer's analog audio path. This may or may not be an issue, trust your ears. If your computer has S/PDIF i/o then use that and you should be fine.

BTW Audio hijack is the traditional solution for this on the mac.

Answer 2

It is extremely simple, and a quick google using the title of your question will show you many sites explaining how to do it. Two simplest options are:

• Use software such as MP3MyMP3recorder or Freecorder, which can record directly in software. This is the simplest physically, just giving you an output file from your input stream.
• Use a cable to connect your headphone out to your mic in and use Audacity to record it. This one works exactly the same way as if you were recording from a mic, but uses the output from the streaming app instead of an external mic. As @WarriorBob commented below, make sure not to monitor input in your recording app - you can create a feedback loop!