Record Streaming Audio Using These Free Tools

by
Mark Harris
Writer
Mark Harris is a former writer for Lifewire who wrote about the digital music scene and streaming music services in an easy to understand, no-nonsense manner.
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Mark Harris
Updated on November 11, 2019
reviewed by
Jerrick Leger headshot
Jerrick Leger
Lifewire Tech Review Board Member
Jerrick Leger is a CompTIA-certified IT Specialist with more than 10 years' experience in technical support and IT fields. He is also owns an IT firm in Texas serving small businesses.
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Article reviewed on Jun 30, 2020
Jerrick Leger

If you like listening to music that is streamed from websites or internet radio stations, then you may want to record what you hear for later playback. With the right software, you can record from thousands of audio sources on the web to quickly build up a collection of digital music.

Here is a selection of free audio programs that can record streaming audio from the internet to create audio files in various audio formats.

If you have problems recording audio from your computer's soundcard, then you may need to install a virtual audio cable. One of the best ones to use is called VB-Audio Virtual Cable which is donationware and can be downloaded for free. Just remember to set the playback and recording device in Windows to this driver!

01
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Aktiv MP3 Recorder

Aktiv MP3 Recorder
What We Like

  • Stylish interface.

  • Schedule automated recordings.

  • Good recording quality.

  • Free to download.

What We Don't Like

  • Adware packaged into installer.

  • Interface layout is confusing.

  • Lacks advanced features.

  • Installs a background process.

Aktiv MP3 Recorder is an excellent program for recording audio from various sound sources. Whether you’re listening to a streaming music service or watching a video, you can capture the audio that is played through your sound card.

This free software has excellent audio format support and can encode to WAV, MP3, WMA, OGG, AU, VOX, and AIFF. Also included in this full-featured audio recorder is a scheduling tool that gives you the flexibility to record streaming audio at certain times.

The installer comes with some potentially unwanted extra software. So, if you don't want it then you'll need to decline the offers.

Overall, a highly recommended recorder for capturing just about anything that is played through your computer's soundcard.

02
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Free Sound Recorder

Free Sound Recorder capturing audio files
What We Like

  • Simple UI for beginners.

  • Very small footprint.

  • Schedule recordings.

  • File list of all past recordings.

What We Don't Like

  • Installer loaded with adware.

  • Overly simple interface.

  • Lack of advanced features.

Just like the other tools in this guide, Free Sound Recorder from CoolMedia can record any sound that comes from your computer’s sound card. If you like listening to streaming music services such as Spotify then this program can be used to record your favorite songs.

The program runs on Windows XP or higher and can create MP3, WMA, and WAV audio files. The program also has an automatic gain control (AGC) feature which will boost quiet inputs and prevent audio clipping due to sound from loud audio sources.

When installing this program you'll also notice that it comes with extra software. If you don't want this, just uncheck/decline the options.

Free Sound Recorder is a simple audio recorder that is both easy to use and gives good results.

03
of 03

Streamosaur

Streamosaur
What We Like

  • Record from web streams.

  • Fast install without adware.

  • Very sensitive sound display.

What We Don't Like

  • Average sound quality.

  • Lack of advanced features.

Any audio that you listen to on your computer can be recorded using the free Streamosaur program. Whether you want to digitize analog sources (vinyl records, audiotapes, etc.), or record streaming music, Streamosaur is a flexible program that can capture audio and encode it onto your hard drive.

The program natively records audio as WAV files, but you can also create MP3 files if you have the Lame encoder installed. If you need to download this to create MP3s, then it can be downloaded from Buanzo's website.