Recording what I hear?

ChrisG · Post by **ChrisG** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 5:14 pm

Hi

I'm new to Audacity and I've recently switched from a windows based PC to an imac. On my PC I could record exactly what was playing on the computer at any time. i.e. I could record sound from the web etc and save as a sound file.

How can I do this with Audacity and an imac, there doesn't seem to be any option on the mac other than line in or microphone as an input?

I'd appreciate any help with this.

Many thanks

Chris

Post by **steve** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 6:28 pm

ChrisG wrote: there doesn't seem to be any option on the mac other than line in or microphone as an input?

That's correct. Macs don't do "stereo mix" recording.
There are some software applications for Mac that provide a means of recording sounds playing on the computer. Have a look at Soundflower, Wiretap and Audio Hijack.
I think that SoundFlower is the only free, open source option http://www.cycling74.com/products/soundflower

ChrisG · Post by **ChrisG** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 9:55 am

Thanks Steve, will have a look at Soundflower.

I have Roxio Toast installed and there is a method of recording what's playing through the computer as an add on in their "Spin Doctor" software only I can't get it to work!

Thanks again

Chris

Post by **kozikowski** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 4:27 pm

<<<I can't get it to work!>>>

Did you follow the directions? Mac people tend to be "click first and read later" people. This process is unnatural for a Mac and some settings might be counter-intuitive.

Koz

Post by **billw58** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 4:50 pm

ChrisG wrote: I have Roxio Toast installed and there is a method of recording what's playing through the computer as an add on in their "Spin Doctor" software only I can't get it to work!

Which version of Toast do you have? I have Titanium 6, and the version of SpinDoctor that comes with that version does not have the capability to record "what you hear" unless SoundFlower is installed. As I recall it did not come with SoundFlower - I installed that separately myself.

Personally, I hate CD SpinDoctor - not enough flexibility and precision in editing for my taste.

-- Bill

Post by **kozikowski** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 10:54 pm

I'm using two different licenses for WireTap to do this. Two machines.

Koz

Post by **steve** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 11:24 pm

Have any of you Mac guys tried "Jack OS X"?
http://jackosx.com/

Post by **billw58** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 12:58 am

steve wrote:Have any of you Mac guys tried "Jack OS X"?

I played with it a while ago when I was messing about with Ardour. Uninstalled it since I didn't see it's usefulness with Audacity.

Just tried the latest version now and can't get Audacity to show up in the router window.

Way too complicated anyway for what most OS X users want to do, which is record "what you hear". Soundflower is much simpler and easier to set up.

-- Bill

Post by **kozikowski** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 7:44 am

<<<Have any of you Mac guys tried "Jack OS X"?>>>

No.

Koz

Post by **steve** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 9:01 am

billw58 wrote:Way too complicated anyway for what most OS X users want to do, which is record "what you hear". Soundflower is much simpler and easier to set up.

Thanks Bill - that's what I needed to know.

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