How to record system sound

[beesbeats]

Hello

I was wondering if there is a way to do this- record audio from the system (for example, record sound coming from a website) in Audacity. In the wiki, the Mac portion was blank on this topic, so I just wanted to ask here if it is possible. I haven't had any luck finding anything using the search feature on this forum, so any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[kozikowski]

I've been recommending WireTap for years. It records system sound and connects into the scheduler, so you don't even have to be home. I think you can get a cheap older version from VersionTracker. I never use most of the advanced tools, so my WireTap Pro license was probably a waste.

If you're into pain and making your Mac as unstable as Windows machines are all the time, there is SoundFlower from the Apple download page. I tried it and found I could eventually force it to work. I removed it.

Apple has correctly assumed that feedback pathways are likely to get you into trouble and thus are very un-Maclike. Most of the questions and complaints over on the Windows forum have to do with managing the convoluted Windows services, not Audacity. Windows Vista has started to assume the Mac philosophy and it's much more difficult to get these destructive pathways.

It's also much more difficult to record BBC Radio 1 from the internet.

Koz

[kozikowski]

One. more. I forgot to hook this back into Audacity. WireTap can be configured to always record in 44100, 16-bit, Stereo AIFF audio format. These saved files will slide right into Audacity for editing and exporting. If you enhance Audacity with the lame tools, you can export a very nice MP3 file, or leave it a full quality 44100, etc, pull it into iTunes and burn it to a CD.

If you're truly compulsive, you can change the iTunes import format to also be 44100, etc. and maintain uncompressed, crystal clear, perfect quality the whole way--Capture, Editing, Conversion, and Music CD Authoring and Burning. Standard Music CD audio format is 44100, 16-bit Stereo.

This is assuming your hard drive is up to it. Uncompressed audio files are pretty large.

Koz

[beesbeats]

Thanks for your reply I've used WireTap before, and loved it! I'll stick with that- it somehow remembered that my trial is up even though I've deleted all of the files to do with it but anyways, thank you for your suggestions!!