Anyone know how to capture streaming audio in a file?

Factual Questions
1

I performed on a radio show recently. The station archives all of its shows in RealMovie (.rm) files on its website. The files can be played back as streaming audio.

I would like to obtain a permanent copy of the show I performed on.

As an absolute last resort, I can always record an analog copy, and digitize this in any format I wish.

But I would prefer a digital copy, preferably .mp3 format.

  1. Is there a (relatively) easy way to capture an audio stream into a file?

  2. Is there a (relatively) easy way to convert a .rm file to an .mp3 file?

TIA.

2

What platform are you using? On Mac OS X, there’s a program called Audio Hijack (http://www.rogueamoeba.com/audiohijack/) that will let you capture any audio. I’ve used it to capture a couple of RealMedia files with good results.

I don’t know Windows as well, but a quick VersionTracker search turned up SoundCapture (http://www.magicsofts.com/sc/).

3
      • Total Recorder is the name of at least one program that can capture any audio played on your computer, no matter the source.
  • Many middle-to-better soundcards have this capability built-into the soundcard hardware also, so check your soundcard first. All the Soundblaster Live 5.1 and above’s do, fer instance. You can get a SBL 5.1 OEM now for $32 US + shipping.
    ~
4

Total Recorder (along with the programs Zelmph mentioned) is the quick and dirty way to capture RM. You’ll suffer some quality loss with that method. Use it as a last resort. That’s not to say that Total Recorder isn’t an excellent program, but there are better ways to go about this procedure.

Use a program like ASFRecorder which will let you save the original RA/RM file directly to your hard drive rather than just capturing the sound card’s output. From there, you can use [url=http://www.wiredvideo.com/tools/RA2WAV/]RA2WAV to convert to WAV. Then just run your favorite MP3 encoder on the WAV and you’re good to go.

Note that this will not work with all streaming audio files. It depends on what version of the Real software the web server is running. If it doesn’t work, you’ll have to go the Total Recorder route.

5

Crap.

ASFRecorder.
RA2WAV.

6

There’s also a program called StreamBox VCR for MS Windows that will intercept or capture streaming media files, and save them perfectly. Works on audio and video.

Real, of course, didn’t like it, so finding the software can be difficult. A Google search will yield it along with some modifications that make it work better.