Is there any way to record radio programs streamed over the internet as audio files?

Question

For example, those on BBCs Listen Again

Answer 1

Yeah...'course
Obviously you will need some recording software...MS sound recorder will do it, but will record by default in massive WAV files. Free download 'Audacity' (download.com) will record in the same format, but you can export as MP3 if you download a specific DLL to go with it.
I use Magix Audicleaning Lab (cheap software on ebay - they keep making new versions, so buy an old one for peanuts..!).
Whichever software you use, you will need to edit the settings so that it knows where the sound is coming from. If you play the stream and mess about with your mixer settings, you will find out which channel it is on - use this channel as your input on the recording software and away you go. I have actually done this with BBC's listen again (a mate wanted the Freddy Mercury life story program recorded). I did the recording at work, so you can actually hear all the computer sounds in the background...if you want a really good recording - disable your sounds (periodically my internet explorer was 'clicking' which I think it does without any mouse action from me - so even if you leave the computer alone I think there may be a danger of stray sounds if you don't disable them).
So it's definitely 'do-able', even for free!! (Audacity). Magix allows you to record directly into MP3 if you're short on disk space. I haven't tried recording streaming audio with Audacity, but have no reason to think it won't work. Of course you have to do this in real-time as if were an analogue recording, if it was possible to rip the digital signal direct, there would be no need to stream it - hence they don't WANT you to copy it, and if anybody asks me - I haven't really done it at all - I don't even think it can be done can it ;-)
Hope this helps

Answer 2

go to www.downloads.com and do a seach for "record audio stream" - you'll get about 30 different utilities - take your pick :)