trouble understanding even the 'basics' of Audacity

[craigab]

All I want to do is record 'streaming' internet radio. I downloaded Audacity on a recommendation. It didn't actually come with instructions, and maybe none in regards to recording 'streaming' internet radio. My Windows 7 operating system almost seems to be a hindrance -- it seems the Audacity help guides and manuals aren't considering Windows 7. I found out that my first supposedly successful recording was also simultaneously recording sounds near the computer -- the internal microphone was somehow on and adding audio to the internet radio audio. I don't know anything about software programs like this; I need to be told everything in layman's terms. Using Audacity now seems very complicated to me.

[kozikowski]

All I want to do is record 'streaming' internet radio.

....for free. This process is a snap using money-based products such as Total Recorder.

http://www.highcriteria.com/

The decision to use free, public-supported software comes with certain challenges.

Recording internet shows is not trivial. The computer has to run the playback side (so you can hear it) and the record side (so you can record it) at the same time. That's not natural and it causes unstable services if you're not recording shows. The forum is full of people complaining that recording their guitar or multiple track production is damaged and in many if not all cases, it's because their computer is "stuck" in recording internet mode.

You're also flying in the face of the desire of internet companies to prevent you from "borrowing" shows you didn't pay for and Microsoft's assumption that you are a corporate user intent on making business Skype calls to the home office and not a casual home user listening to Radio One from the BBC.

So your seemingly simple request is far from simple and complicated by the Audacity volunteer support staff which is spread out over multiple time zones.

I found out that my first supposedly successful recording was also simultaneously recording sounds near the computer

It seems like you are recording the built-in microphone because you are. Instead of recording a built-in device, you need to switch recording to "Stereo Mix" or to that service under several different names depending on your computer maker. Did you wade through this wiki page?

http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Recor ... e_computer

It's possible your computer doesn't support this process. Some computers simply don't. If you make it through all the help services and it still doesn't work, you may be a candidate for a program such as Total Recorder, mentioned at the top.

Koz

[steve]

It didn't actually come with instructions

If there is no manual in the Help menu then you probably have an old version of Audacity. The recommended version for Windows 7 is Audacity 1.3.13 which you can download from here: http://audacityteam.org/download/

My Windows 7 operating system almost seems to be a hindrance

You're not the first to think that. The end of XP was my primary incentive to switch over to Linux.
As Koz has said, many Win 7 computers do not support "Stereo Mix" and those that do support Stereo Mix generally hide the option. See here for how to enable the option (if available) http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Mixer ... trol_Panel

Once you've managed to jump through all of the Microsoft hoops I think you'll find Audacity pretty simple to use.
In addition to the Manual (included in the Audacity 1.3.13 Windows installer) there are also quite a few tutorials, and loads of additional help information in the Audacity wiki. See the links at the top of this page (• Tips • Tutorials • Documentation). If you still find yourself stuck, we'll do our best to help you get unstuck.