Record radio shows to CD-R

[Marc]

I would like to listen to recorded talk radio programs on my car's CD player. I'm looking for an easy way to record and transfer the audio content from the radio station to CD-R. Any ideas?

[audiyoda]

My initial thought would be to record from your radio to tape, from tape to computer using any number of shareware/freeware programs and then dump those files to a CD-R using EZ-CD Creator or Nero.

Two good shareware/freeware recording programs are:
Goldwave (http://www.goldwave.com/)
and
Cool Edit (http://www.syntrillium.com/)

-Craig

[Marc]

Thanks Audioyoda,

Is there a way of combining the first two steps? In other words, record the audio feed directly from the radio to the computer? Furthermore, is there a way of doing that on a timer so that I could set the recording to take place over a predefined time interval?

Marc

[Gintaras]

What about Total Recorder (http://www.highcriteria.com)?

[morriswindgate]

Go to the site below and Download the "Free" Twins Stream Ripper.

http://www.twins-software.com/

[audiyoda]

Originally posted by Marc
Thanks Audioyoda,

Is there a way of combining the first two steps? In other words, record the audio feed directly from the radio to the computer? Furthermore, is there a way of doing that on a timer so that I could set the recording to take place over a predefined time interval?

Marc

Sure...you'll need so kind of output from your reciever to your computer (other than speaker outputs). As most recievers don't have an actual radio output, the best way around this is to put a tape in the recorder and hit pause and record. This will send a signal to the tape's output but won't record to the tape. Run a cable between the tape deck and your computer (you'll need an adapter from the RCA jacks to your sound cards miniplug) and start recording.

As for automation, I suppose you could configure a macro to somehow work as a timer -- but I honestly don't know if that would work or not. I've never seen a recording program configured in such a way. I've got sound apps that can be configured for automation via MIDI or SMPTE timecode, but I can't configure anything that I have to work on a seperate timer.

And keep in mind that keeping your tape deck on pause and record will put strain on the tape in the recorder. So if your reciever has an actual radio output, use it.

-Craig

[RayH]

All you have to do is hook up the stereo audio out (like TAPE OUT or TAPE REC) to the audio in of your computer. There is no need to fiddle with the drive controls of the audio tape recording device (like the audio cassette deck). Just set the tuner to the desired radio station. The audio signal will be a WAV signal. You rip and burn it like any other wav signal. I use Spin Doctor from Adaptec Easy CD Creator 4.05 Deluxe.

Unfortuantely for the average home user, there is no simple way to do unattended automatic starting, like a microwave oven, video cassette, or TiVO. It's not a matter of burning out the drive motors. You can have a timer fire the stereo. The problem is that keeping the heads engaged against the tape (or the capstan against the rubber wheel) will wear out the unit. It's not designed for continous grab. That's why video cassette recorders don't engage until it's time.

[audiyoda]

Originally posted by RayH
All you have to do is hook up the stereo audio out (like TAPE OUT or TAPE REC) to the audio in of your computer. There is no need to fiddle with the drive controls of the audio tape recording device (like the audio cassette deck).

Beg to differ -- depending on the unit, you won't get a thing out of the tape out if the heads are not engaged. There's not a Denon on the market that will allow a audio path through its tape outs without the drive heads engaged. Same is true for most Sonys.

-Craig

[audiyoda]

Doh....just though about this -- my bad. With most integraged revcievers, this insn't an issue. Yeah, jsut use the tape outs. Must have had a brain fart.

-Craig

[Marc]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Looks like I have a number of good options to try out.