Best 5 Streaming Audio Recorders: Free & Paid

If you enjoy listening to music or podcasts online, you might have come across streaming audio that you’d love to have on your device. But how can you capture this audio to listen to offline or save it to the cloud for further distribution? A streaming audio recorder is a solution. In this article, we’ll explore 5 of the best tools available for you to record streaming audio and cloud recording API for you to build your own streaming audio recorder.

What is the Best Way to Record Streaming Audio?

There are many software programs available that are specifically designed for recording streaming audio. The best software for recording streaming audio will depend on your specific needs and preferences. These are all popular options that offer a range of features and functionality.

1. Audacity

Audacity is a free, open-source audio recording and editing software that can be used to record streaming audio. It supports multiple file formats, has a simple interface, and offers a range of editing tools.

Advantages:

1. Free and open source: Audacity is free to download and use, which is a major advantage for those who don’t want to spend money on audio recording software.

2. Supports multiple file formats: Audacity supports a variety of file formats, including WAV, MP3, and AIFF, which makes it a versatile tool for recording and editing audio.

3. Easy to use: Audacity has a simple interface that is easy to navigate, which makes it a good option for beginners.

4. Offers a range of editing tools: Audacity offers a range of editing tools, including noise reduction, equalization, and amplification, which can be used to improve the quality of recorded audio.

Disadvantages:

1. Limited features: While Audacity is a capable audio recording software, it does not offer as many advanced features as some paid options.

2. Steep learning curve: While Audacity is easy to use for basic recording and editing tasks, it can be difficult to learn more advanced features.

3. No automatic splitting: Unlike some other software, Audacity does not have an automatic splitting function, which can make it tedious to split long recordings into smaller files.

2. Streaming Audio Recorder

Streaming Audio Recorder is a paid software that allows you to record streaming audio from various sources, including music websites, radio stations, and online video sites. It automatically detects and separates tracks and saves them to your computer in high-quality formats.

Advantages:

1. Easy to use: Streaming Audio Recorder has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to record streaming audio from various sources, including music websites, radio stations, and online video sites.

2. High-quality recording: The software can record streaming audio in high quality, which is a major advantage for those who want to preserve the fidelity of the audio.

3. Automatic identification of songs: Streaming Audio Recorder can automatically identify the name of the song, artist, and album of the recorded audio, which saves time and effort.

Disadvantages:

1. Paid software: Streaming Audio Recorder is a paid software, which may be a disadvantage for users who are looking for a free alternative.

2. Limited editing features: The software is primarily designed for recording streaming audio, and offers limited editing features compared to other audio recording and editing software.

3. May not be compatible with all streaming sources: While Streaming Audio Recorder supports a wide range of streaming sources, it may not be compatible with all websites and platforms, which may limit its usefulness in some cases.

3. Replay Music

Replay Music is another paid software that allows you to record streaming audio from any source, including Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music. It can automatically identify and tag songs, and save them in MP3 format.

Advantages:

1. Easy to use: Replay Music has a simple and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to record streaming audio from various sources.

2. High-quality recording: The software is capable of recording streaming audio in high quality, which is a major advantage for those who want to preserve the fidelity of the audio.

3. Automatic track splitting: Replay Music can automatically split tracks during the recording process, which makes it easy to organize and manage your audio files.

Disadvantages:

1. Limited compatibility: Replay Music is only available for Windows operating systems, which means that Mac users will need to find alternative software for recording streaming audio.

2. Expensive: Replay Music is a paid software, which may be a disadvantage for users who are looking for a free or low-cost option.

4. Audio Hijack

Audio Hijack is a paid software for Mac that allows you to record streaming audio from any application, including web browsers, music players, and VoIP applications. It offers a range of editing tools and can save recordings in various formats.

Advantages:

1. Versatile: Audio Hijack can record streaming audio from various sources, including web browsers, Skype calls, and other applications.

2. Customizable: The software allows users to customize their recording settings to achieve the desired audio quality and file format.

3. Easy to use: Audio Hijack has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to set up and start recording streaming audio.

Disadvantages:

1. Expensive: Audio Hijack is relatively expensive compared to other streaming audio recording software options.

2. Only for Mac users: Audio Hijack is only available for macOS, which is a disadvantage for those using Windows or other operating systems.

5. OBS Studio

OBS Studio is a free and open-source screen recording and streaming software that can also be used to capture streaming audio. It supports multiple audio sources, including microphones, system audio, and external audio interfaces, and can save recordings in various formats.

Advantages:

1. Free and open-source: OBS Studio is free and open-source software that can be downloaded and used by anyone.

2. Customizable: The software allows users to customize their recording settings to achieve the desired audio quality and file format.

3. Multi-platform support: OBS Studio is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.

4. Live streaming capabilities: OBS Studio also has live streaming capabilities, making it a versatile tool for broadcasting and recording audio.

Disadvantages:

1. Steep learning curve: OBS Studio has a steeper learning curve compared to other streaming audio recording software due to its advanced features and customization options.

2. Requires additional plugins: Some users may need to install additional plugins to fully utilize OBS Studio’s features, which can be time-consuming and require more technical know-how.

ZEGOCLOUD Cloud Recording API to Record Streaming Audio

ZEGOCLOUD stands out as an exceptional real-time communication solution that enables developers to effortlessly incorporate top-notch audio streaming recording features into their applications. Its cutting-edge cloud recording tool, the ZEGOCLOUD Cloud Recording SDK, provides developers with a comprehensive suite of powerful modules and tools for capturing and storing high-quality audio and video streams.

Here are the key features of the ZEGOCLOUD Cloud Recording SDK:

• Multi-platform Support: The ZEGO Cloud Recording SDK is available on a wide range of platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS, making it accessible to a broad range of users.
• High-Quality Recording: The SDK records audio and video streams in high-definition, providing users with top-quality recordings that are clear and crisp.
• Cloud Storage: The recordings are stored in the cloud, eliminating the need for local storage and making it easy to access and share the recordings.
• Real-Time Monitoring: You can monitor the recording process in real time, ensuring that everything is captured correctly.
• Easy Integration: The SDK is easy to integrate into your existing applications, and you can get up and running with just a few lines of code.
• Security: The ZEGO Cloud Recording SDK uses advanced encryption and authentication protocols to ensure that your recordings are secure and protected.

Preparation

• ZEGOCLOUD console account – Sign up
• Enable third-party cloud storage – Contact Technical Support
• Integrate ZEGOCLOUD Voice Call SDK

How to Start Recording Audio Streaming with ZEGOCLOUD

Recording audio streaming can be a great way to save your favorite songs, podcasts, or other audio content to listen to later. While there are many tools available to record audio streaming, ZEGOCLOUD’s Cloud Recording SDK stands out for its ease of use, customizability, and reliability.

Kindly proceed with the steps mentioned below to commence the audio streaming recording process with ZEGOCLOUD’s Cloud Recording SDK.

1. Start Cloud Recording

To start recording audio or video streaming in the cloud using ZEGO Cloud Recording, use the StartRecord method with a room ID. Once successful, you’ll receive a taskID (UID) to manage the recording process. This efficient method simplifies cloud recording, making it perfect for educators, businesses, and content creators who want high-quality recordings.

2. Monitor Recording Status

To monitor the progress of your cloud recording, you can call the DescribeRecordStatus method repeatedly. This method will return the current recording status and upload address upon successful execution. By using this efficient method, you can easily keep track of your cloud recordings and ensure that they are saved correctly.

3. Update Mixed-Stream Layout

To modify your video’s stream mixing layout while recording with ZEGOCLOUD, you can use the UpdateLayout method repeatedly. If you need more information on how to edit the stream mixing layout, refer to the Set Stream Mixing Layout feature. This feature allows you to customize the way that video streams are mixed and displayed during the recording process, giving you greater control over the final output.

4. Update the Whiteboard

If you need to update the Whiteboard ID during recording with ZEGOCLOUD, you can use the UpdateWhiteboard method repeatedly. For more information on Whiteboard Recording, refer to the relevant feature. This feature enables you to record your whiteboard activities in real time, providing you with a convenient way to share your ideas and collaborate with others. By using this UpdateWhiteboard method, you can make sure that your recording accurately reflects the information presented on the whiteboard.

5. Terminate Cloud Recording

To stop cloud recording using ZEGOCLOUD, simply call the StopRecord method. This will immediately end the recording process and save the recorded video to your preferred third-party cloud storage. This convenient method makes it easy to capture high-quality recordings and securely store them for future use.

6. Managing Recorded Files

To effectively manage your recorded files using the ZEGO Cloud Recording SDK, follow the steps below.

Upload recorded files

After completing your cloud recording task, check the DescribeRecordStatus method for uploading details such as FileUrl, Status, and VideoId for Vod. The recorded files will be automatically uploaded to your designated third-party cloud storage and a callback will be triggered to the specified callback URL. This makes it easy to manage and access your recorded files from anywhere.

Manage recorded file names

The recording file name includes essential information like the StreamId and start recording timestamps. To learn more, review the OutputFileRule parameter in the StartRecord method.

Stream Recording Modes

1. Recording a Single Stream

To initiate single-stream recording, specify RecordMode as 1 in StartRecord and choose the desired file format (mp4, flv, or hls) with the OutputFileFormat parameter.

{
    "RoomId": "xxxx",
    "RecordInputParams": {
        "RecordMode": 1,
        "StreamType": 3,
        "MaxIdleTime": 60
    },
    "RecordOutputParams": {
        "OutputFileFormat": "mp4",
        "OutputFolder": "record/"
    },
    "StorageParams": {
        "Vendor": 2,
        "Region": "oss-xxxx",
        "Bucket": "xxxx",
        "AccessKeyId": "xxxx",
        "AccessKeySecret": "xxxx"
    }
}

2. Mixed-stream Recording

To begin mixed-stream recording, set RecordMode as 2 and specify mp4, flv, or hls as the OutputFileFormat.

Check out this example for further reference:

{
    "RoomId": "xxxx",
    "RecordInputParams": {
        "RecordMode": 2,
        "StreamType": 3,
        "MaxIdleTime": 60,
        "MixConfig": {
            "MixMode": 2,
            "MixOutputStreamId": "mix",
            "MixOutputVideoConfig": {
                    "Width": 1280, 
                    "Height": 720, 
                    "Fps": 15, 
                    "Bitrate": 1130000
            }
        }
    },
    "RecordOutputParams": {
        "OutputFileFormat": "mp4",
        "OutputFolder": "record/"
    },
    "StorageParams": {
        "Vendor": 2,
        "Region": "oss-xxxx",
        "Bucket": "xxxx",
        "AccessKeyId": "xxxx",
        "AccessKeySecret": "xxxx"
    }
}

3. Mixed-Stream Layout

To set the video layout during mixed-stream recording, use the MixMode parameter in StartRecord and UpdateLayout method for any subsequent adjustments.

Here’s an example request for UpdateLayout:

{
    "TaskId": "xxxx",
    "MixMode": 1,
    "MixInputList": [
        {
            "StreamId": "xxxx", 
            "ViewType": 1, 
            "Top": 0, 
            "Left": 0, 
            "Bottom": 720, 
            "Right": 540, 
            "Layer": 1
        },
        {
            "StreamId": "", 
            "ViewType": 1, 
            "Top": 0, 
            "Left": 540, 
            "Bottom": 360, 
            "Right": 1080, 
            "Layer": 1
        },
        {
            "StreamId": "", 
            "ViewType": 1, 
            "Top": 360, 
            "Left": 540, 
            "Bottom": 720, 
            "Right": 1080, 
            "Layer": 1
        }
    ]
}

4. Multi-sector recording

To enable whiteboard recording in mixed-stream mode, set HasWhiteboard to true in StartRecord and configure the whiteboard using a JSON array of settings. Note that only one whiteboard can be set at a time.

Check out this sample request for further guidance:

{
    "RoomId": "xxxx",
    "RecordInputParams": {
        "RecordMode": 2,
        "StreamType": 3,
        "HasWhiteboard": true,
        "Whiteboard": [
            {
                "HorizontalRatio": 16,
                "VerticalRatio": 9,
                "Width": 1280,
                "Height": 720,
                "WhiteboardId": "0000"
            }
        ],
        "MaxIdleTime": 60,
        "MixConfig": {
            "MixMode": 3,
            "MixOutputStreamId": "mix",
            "MixOutputVideoConfig": {
                    "Width": 1280, 
                    "Height": 720, 
                    "Fps": 15, 
                    "Bitrate": 1130000
            }
        }
    },
    "RecordOutputParams": {
        "OutputFileFormat": "mp4",
        "OutputFolder": "record/"
    },
    "StorageParams": {
        "Vendor": 2,
        "Region": "oss-xxxx",
        "Bucket": "xxxx",
        "AccessKeyId": "xxxx",
        "AccessKeySecret": "xxxx"
    }
}

5 . Take Screenshots

To record screenshots during single-stream recording, set OutputFileFormat to jpg and adjust SnapshotInterval in StartRecord. Mixed-stream mode and StreamType 1 do not support screenshots. Use DescribeRecordStatus to retrieve task information and receive callback notifications for each completed task when screenshots are uploaded to your third-party cloud storage.

{
    "RoomId": "xxxx",
    "RecordInputParams": {
        "RecordMode": 1,
        "StreamType": 3,
        "MaxIdleTime": 60
    },
    "RecordOutputParams": {
        "OutputFileFormat": "jpg",
        "OutputFolder": "record/",
        "SnapshotInterval": 10
    },
    "StorageParams": {
        "Vendor": 2,
        "Region": "oss-xxxx",
        "Bucket": "xxxx",
        "AccessKeyId": "xxxx",
        "AccessKeySecret": "xxxx"
    }
}

Final Thoughts

ZEGOCLOUD Recording SDK provides a powerful solution for recording high-quality streaming audio with ease. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can start recording your favorite streaming audio and manage your files efficiently. Additionally, it offers a free trial making it an accessible and affordable option for anyone looking to record streaming audio.