Recording Music from the Computer: This seems like a no-brainer, but I can't do it. How can I record audio that is playing on my computer? I've done a search using Google, but nothing...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

This seems like a no-brainer, but I can't do it. How can I record audio that is playing on my computer? I've done a search using Google, but nothing works. Following the steps they give, I get to a certain point, and the next step they show isn't available. I've downloaded a few audio programs, but they don't record. I'm using Windows 10.

I'd like to record directly to the computer, not through a mic.

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

Copy written material? Could be the issue.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

What program is playing the music?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Peterfiore wrote:

Copy written material? Could be the issue.

Not the problem.
One needs a mechanism to get the audio from one application (patched) into the "recording" application.
Play on one app and record on another app are two separate functions.

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

That sounds good...What mechanism?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I don't know, and currently neither does jerryc41.

I wouldn't mind finding out as there are some sound clips (nibbles) that I would not mind grabbing.

It could be as simple as running two windows with a mic attached.
Could be simpler if you could pass the sound from one app to another, which is what Jerry would like to do.

Geezer Loc: Capreol, Ontario, Canada

I use a free program called Audacity for recording bird calls from nature sites. It will also work with sites like Youtube.

You start the record, then the "play" on the site. You then can edit by trimming the lead in and lead out. Then export it as MP3 or another format. Hope that's what you need.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Geezer wrote:

I use a free program called Audacity for recording bird calls from nature sites. It will also work with sites like Youtube.

You start the record, then the "play" on the site. You then can edit by trimming the lead in and lead out. Then export it as MP3 or another format. Hope that's what you need.

I tried Audacity, but when I tried to record, I got an error message, "Error opening recording device."

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

DirtFarmer wrote:

What program is playing the music?

In this case, YouTube was playing through the computer.

Linary Loc: UK

jerryc41 wrote:

This seems like a no-brainer, but I can't do it. How can I record audio that is playing on my computer? I've done a search using Google, but nothing works. Following the steps they give, I get to a certain point, and the next step they show isn't available. I've downloaded a few audio programs, but they don't record. I'm using Windows 10.

I'd like to record directly to the computer, not through a mic.

Movavi should do the trick.

https://img.movavi.com/online-help/screencapturestudiomac/3/record_audio_only.htm

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Jerry...If you record what you're hearing you'll have to put it in a file to access in the future. Why not just copy the site of the recording?

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

SteveR wrote:

Jerry...If you record what you're hearing you'll have to put it in a file to access in the future. Why not just copy the site of the recording?

Always nice to have your own file. Websites are ephemera.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

SteveR wrote:

Jerry...If you record what you're hearing you'll have to put it in a file to access in the future. Why not just copy the site of the recording?

Probably, like me, I would just want to play the audio without having to go to a web site, possibly even put it on my phone, depending on the audio clip.

wildimaginations

I use two computers. I connect a double male 1/4" microphone cable between the output headphone jack on the laptop computer to the input microphone jack on the desktop. On the laptop, I'm connected to YouTube playing all of my favorite music songs. On the desktop, I open up GuitarBand and record the music there and then convert them over to iTunes. No need to use a microphone as the sound quality is exactly as it comes out from YouTube.

gemartin Loc: Statesboro, GA

Jerry, check these products. Inexpensive and they work.

I use Replay Music 8 for MP3s (less so now that streaming is so prevalent).
https://applian.com/windows/ (they also support MAC).