Speaking of Online Audio, and we do that a lot, I thought I’d mention a new tool for recording it. Frustrated Windows Vista users especially will want to give this software a shot. While there may be easier ways to record streaming audio using Vista, I sure haven’t found one as easy as Freecorder. This is a free Firefox (and Internet Explorer) browser plugin that lets you record any sounds coming through your web browser as either a WAV or MP3. The coolest part is that Freecorder doesn’t include any of the sounds made by your regular computer usage during recording (like the sound made by emptying a recycling bin, or those pesky error message dings). I recorded all three parts of ABC Radio National’s It Just Stopped this way. I sure wish I’d have had this back when The Seeing Ear Theater files were still around. Here’s a snippet from the press release:
“Applian Technologies has just released the Freecorder Toolbar Sound Recorder, a free audio capture program for Windows Vista which restores the audio recording functionality previously available in prior versions of Windows.
Using a new driverless recording process developed by Applian, the software allows customers to capture audio as MP3 files from virtually any application or internet stream. Freecorder Toolbar is free, and available today from www.freecorder.com.”
Prior to Vista, all PCs had relatively easy access to recording web audio. But Windows Vista has severely restricted our ability to record Online Audio. Apparently this is caused by new driver signing requirement of Windows Vista. Know of a better universal workaround? Let us know!
[via Download Squad via Pocket PC Louisville]
If this is a Firefox plug-in, does that mean it works on Mac and Linux too?
Idle curiosity – I use Audio Hijack Pro on a Mac. Right now in fact, to record the “It Just Stopped” stream. Which reminds me, could you mention when you post links to streaming audio whether it’s stereo or mono? (Airplay appears to be mono, which is a shame because audio drama is so much more effective when you can hear the whole auditory sound stage.)
Looks like no. The Freecorder site sez:
“All Applian recording products are designed for the Microsoft Windows operating system.”
As for adding a note for Stereo/Mono when posting links to Online Audio… I can try. Thinking back, most seem to be in mono. :(