There are many reasons why you might like or need to record some audio that is streaming on your device via a website, app, or another service. Fortunately, there are many ways to capture streaming audio. This guide will show you how to record streaming audio for free in five different ways across various devices. We'll look at how to download streaming audio online, via your desktop, with a browser extension, on iOS, and on Android too.
How to Record Streaming Audio Online
Best for: Beginners
Trustpilot rating: 4.6/5 stars, 86 reviews
A great way to record streaming audio online is to use a free online recording tool like Screen Capture. This web recorder lets you record any audio that might be streaming online on your device, ranging from short snippets and clips right up to lengthy music sequences. It works on both Windows 10 and Mac and, as the name implies, it's essentially a screen capturing tool, so it records the entire screen of your device, producing a video file that you can then rip the streaming audio from or convert it to MP3 or other popular audio formats.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Reliable and high-quality recordings every time
- Can also be used to make screen videos and webcam videos
Cons:
- Produces video files
- Watermarks on the free version
Step 1. Open Screen Capture
Head over to the Screen Capture website to start the process.
Step 2. Configure the Settings
Screen Capture will offer the ability to record from your microphone and webcam if desired. For streaming audio, it's best to leave these options unchecked and click on the Start Recording button to proceed.
Step 3. Authorize the Process
A new page will open up, and your browser will ask for permission to allow Screen Capture to record your screen. Select the window or screen you want to enable and hit the Allow button to carry on.
Step 4. Save Your Recording
Once the audio has finished playing and recording from the streaming video, you can then stop the screen capturing process and save the file to a folder on the PC or device you're using. From there, you can rip the audio from the files you make or convert them into other formats.
How to Capture Streaming Audio with a Desktop App
Best for Advanced Users and Editing
G2 rating: 4.4/5 stars, 332 reviews
Another option to consider when learning how to record streaming is a desktop app like Audacity. This is an open-source, freeware app you can download directly to your computer or other devices to record audio whenever you need it. Highly versatile, Audacity is suitable for recording audio from many sources on your devices and playback of audio and audio editing. It’s a good option for those who want to learn how to record streaming music.
Pros:
- Great for audio editing
- Highly versatile
- Can record from many sources on your device
- Cross-platform compatibility
Cons:
- Can be a little complicated for new users
- Some functions require paid plugins
Step 1. Set-Up
Before you begin using Audacity, you'll need to head to the official website and download the right software for your platform from the internet.
Step 2. Recording
To record audio using Audacity, simply open the program and then click on the red dot in the top-left corner.
Step 3. Stopping
When you're ready to stop recording live audio from your device, you can click on the Stop button situated in the top left of the Audacity window.
Step 4. Working with Your Files
Once your files have been recorded, you can then use Audacity's built-in playback to listen to them, as well as making edits and saving or exporting the files you've made in various formats.
How to Download Streaming Audio via a Google Chrome Extension
Best For: Chrome Users
Chrome Web Store rating: 4.4/5 stars, over 5,000 users
If you're a Google Chrome user looking to record streaming audio from videos, live radio broadcasts, and other sources, the best way to do so may be with the help of the Audio Capture add-on. This is a simple browser extension you can install on Google Chrome, appearing in the top right of every window, along with your other extensions. It captures all audio on the current tab you're using and allows you to save the newly-created audio file onto your computer.
Pros:
- Very simple to use
- Works with MP3 and WAV files
- Adjustable quality settings
Cons:
- Can only capture 20-minute long sessions
Step 1. Installation
The first step of using this extension is to get it downloaded and installed. You'll need to open up your Google Chrome browser and then head to the Audio Capture page in the Chrome Web Store to download it.
Step 2. Configuring the Settings
When you're ready to use Audio Capture to record some audio, first head into the settings and choose what type of output file you want (MP3 or WAV), you can also set a maximum capture time and sound quality.
Step 3. Recording Audio
When you're ready to capture audio, open up the tab with the audio you want to record and then hit the Start button on the extension. It will automatically start recording until you hit Finish or until the maximum time limit is reached. You can save the recorded sound by hitting the Save button.
How to Rip Streaming Audio on iOS
Best for: Apple Users
If you want to record streaming audio on an Apple device like an iPad or iPhone, one option you have is to make use of the Screen Recording feature. This will technically record the whole screen, including video and audio, but you can then create a copy of just the audio file with conversion tools or programs or rip the audio later on.
Pros:
- A good workaround for iOS devices
- Relatively simple to use
Cons:
- Results in video files that have to be converted or ripped
- A little awkward compared to other options
- Won't work on all sites and services
1. Set-up. The first step is to add the Screen Recording feature to your Control Center.
2. Recording audio. When you have a stream with audio you want to record, load it up, and then swipe down to the Control Center, hitting the Record button to start the screen recording.
3. Finishing up. When the audio is over, hit the red button again to stop the recording. You should see a notification saying that the recording has been saved to your camera roll. You can then convert or rip the audio from that file.
How to Record Streaming Music on Android
Best for: Android Users
Google Play rating: 4.5/5 stars, over 188,000 reviews, over 10 million users
Those on Android devices can turn to the Google Play Store and download the ADV Screen Recorder app, which has more than 10 million downloads, to record streaming audio on their devices. The app is free, with ads, and it offers several features like the ability to use front and back cameras while recording, adding custom text and banners, trimming video files, and more. Like other options on the list, it's a screen recorder, so it produces video files rather than audio files, but you can rip the audio or convert later on with other software. Also, it only records audio from the microphone, not internally, which can affect the quality.
Pros:
- Free download
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Ads
- Uses microphone for audio recordings
- Produces video files that have to be converted
1. Installation. First, download and install the ADV Screen Recorder app from the Google Play Store.
2. Recording. When you're ready to use the app, open it up, adjust the settings to your liking, and then press the Record button in the top right to begin recording. You should see a green camera button appear at the top, and you can click it to start and stop recording, as desired.
3. Saving your files. Once you've finished recording, the app will save an MP4 video of your screen recording.
Comparing the Streaming Audio Recording Software
Software | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Capture | Very easy to use Beginner-friendly High-quality audio | Makes video files, not audio |
| Audacity | Lots of features Good for editing Makes audio files | Complicated for beginners Some features aren't free |
| Chrome Audio Capture | Easy to use Speedy set-up | Lacks options and features Only works in Chrome Only works on the current tab |
| IOS built-in tool | Ideal for Mac users | Won't work with all sources Not the easiest to set-up Makes video files, not audio |
| ADV Screen Recorder | Free download Easy to use | Has ads Uses microphone for audio Creates video files, not audio |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I record a streaming audio?
To record streaming audio, the best method is to use Screen Capture. This simple-to-use tool lets you record any screen or tab on your device at the click of a button. Simply load up the Screen Capture site, hit the Start Recording button, and allow the tool to start recording. Then click to end the recording when you're done.
Can I record streaming music?
Yes, you can. There are various ways in which this can be done across many devices like Windows computers and tablets, Apple Macs and iPhones, and Android smartphones too. You can use any of the following programs:
- Screen Capture
- Audacity
- Chrome Audio Capture
- iOS built-in tool
- ADV Screen Recorder
Can I use Audacity to record a streaming audio?
Yes, you can. Audacity allows for the simple recording of streaming audio from many devices. To begin, download and install Audacity, open the program, and then click the red record button to start the process. Click on the Stop button when you're finished.
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