Recording Streaming Audio

[CheeseQueen452]

Ever since I got my laptop( 1 1/2 yrs, I think), I'm unable to record streaming audio in stereo using Audacity. Perhaps my soundcard won't allow it? I find that hard to believe, but I've tried everything & it doesn't work. It ends up sounding "tinny". If anyone can help me with this, I'd greatly appreciate it!

[Just17]

Two questions .....  are you sure the source is in stereo?   maybe post an example for others to try ......  that helps by making sure all are using the same source 

you mention audacity .....  does it have to be audacity or would some other recording app be OK if it worked?

[cozzykim]

Ever since I got my laptop( 1 1/2 yrs, I think), I'm unable to record streaming audio in stereo using Audacity. Perhaps my soundcard won't allow it? I find that hard to believe, but I've tried everything & it doesn't work. It ends up sounding "tinny". If anyone can help me with this, I'd greatly appreciate it!

You could have hit the nail there.

Some Thinkpads (like my W500 ) won't allow digital sound output over the "Display Port" output or internally to Audacity via "stereo mix".

It's something to do with daft DRM enforcement.

There are other manufacturers machines with the same limitations, the internal audio (stereo mix) disabled, search to see whether yours is one.

If it sounds "tinny" maybe you're in luck and it's just settings related, or you may just be recording via the internal mic.

HTH

[CheeseQueen452]

Funny you mention Thinkpads.... I have the T400. I got it from ebay, & I think the seller refurbished/upgraded it. I guess it falls into that category of those with the internal audio disabled. I tried using the internal mic, & it won't work. GRRR....

You could have hit the nail there.

Some Thinkpads (like my W500 ) won't allow digital sound output over the "Display Port" output or internally to Audacity via "stereo mix".

It's something to do with daft DRM enforcement.

There are other manufacturers machines with the same limitations, the internal audio (stereo mix) disabled, search to see whether yours is one.

If it sounds "tinny" maybe you're in luck and it's just settings related, or you may just be recording via the internal mic.

HTH

[rich2005]

It is the DRM lobby to blame and I think most new-ish sound cards have 'stereo-mix' missing or disabled.
You can do a bit of research into alsa-loopback and the snd-aloop kernel module but I have never managed to get this working.

Of course if sound comes out of the speakers it can be physically fed back. I have occasionally used Audacity connected to a usb soundcard, which takes its input from the speaker output jack. Not a wonderful method but it works.

[Just17]

 ......  if you can hear it in stereo then it can be recorded in stereo, by recording what you hear.

[Tony]

All I can suggest is to patiently select your Audio settings. In Audacity for example, using a Mic, Mic:0 is the default on my machine, a desktop.
It's true what Just17 say's:

...  if you can hear it in stereo then it can be recorded in stereo, by recording what you hear.

There are other capture programs, VLC for example, et al.

Another theory is you don't have the appropriate programs installed, and dependencies. Check out Synaptic. The Software environment is changing all the time.

Good luck. 

[cozzykim]

Funny you mention Thinkpads.... I have the T400. I got it from ebay, & I think the seller refurbished/upgraded it. I guess it falls into that category of those with the internal audio disabled. I tried using the internal mic, & it won't work. GRRR....

You could have hit the nail there.

Some Thinkpads (like my W500 ) won't allow digital sound output over the "Display Port" output or internally to Audacity via "stereo mix".

It's something to do with daft DRM enforcement.

There are other manufacturers machines with the same limitations, the internal audio (stereo mix) disabled, search to see whether yours is one.

If it sounds "tinny" maybe you're in luck and it's just settings related, or you may just be recording via the internal mic.

HTH

I've checked on my W500, it's not only the Windows driver that's disabled, it's disabled in the hardware too.

Selecting Digital Stereo output in pavucontrol results in silence over the display port/HDMI

[Just17]

I see no point in all this talk about DRM.

If the sound can be heard on speakers then it can be recorded .....  and very simply too.

All is required is to set the recording app to monitor the speakers and record from it.

If Audacity won't do it then use something that will.

[cozzykim]

I see no point in all this talk about DRM.

If the sound can be heard on speakers then it can be recorded .....  and very simply too.

All is required is to set the recording app to monitor the speakers and record from it.

If Audacity won't do it then use something that will.

Fair point, the only downside being the loss of quality due to the two analogue amplifiers in the loop if you do it this way..

[Just17]

I see no point in all this talk about DRM.

If the sound can be heard on speakers then it can be recorded .....  and very simply too.

All is required is to set the recording app to monitor the speakers and record from it.

If Audacity won't do it then use something that will.

Fair point, the only downside being the loss of quality due to the two analogue amplifiers in the loop if you do it this way..

I feel sure they would be up to anything that you can find being streamed .....  and a lot more 

[Tony]

Another way comes to mind:
Let's say your online, streaming Sound, or Video, and you have the Fx addon Downloadhelper http://www.downloadhelper.net/ installed. Just download the Audio, or Video.