Timed Recording:
Due to the very nature of broadcasts being.. broadcasts, if you aren’t listening you won’t hear them. To get around this, you will need to time-shift them. In other words, record them and listen back later on. To do this you will need to set up timed recording. Much like a DVR (or for those of you who remember the 80s and 90s, a VCR), you automatically record them when the broadcasts occur and listen back when you have the time.

I found three software packages that will do this. Two are commercial software and one is open source. While the open source Streamripper is free, its broadcast format support is limited and timed recording can only be done through the command line interface. In other words, you have to set the timed recording through terminal commands.

Wiretap Studio is an all encompassing package including both the recording and editing functions. Its also the most expensive at $70. For a dedicated professional this may be worthwhile but for the average broadcast recorder, its a bit steep.

The best package I found for both ease of recording, timed recording ability, and price is BitCartel’s iRecordMusic. It supports all the major audio formats and best of all, recording can be scheduled with iCal, taking the headache out of setting it up.

Here’s how to set up a timed recording in iRecordMusic:

1. Download and install iRecordMusic – Demo will record for 15 minutes if you haven’t bought a license.

2. Find a program you want to schedule. In this example we’ll use BBC Radio 1.

3. In the iRecordMusic Menu Bar, click on “Scheduler” and choose “Create Scheduled Recording..”

iRecordMusic

4. Fill out the fields and click “OK”.

iRecordMusic

Note: Make sure the URL specified is the broadcast’s URL or source. Be sure to test so you don’t miss a scheduled recording.

5. iCal will open up and create an iRecordMusic Calendar.

6. Adjust the date and time according to the schedule.

iRecordMusic

Note: When time scheduling, be aware of time zone differences. 2:00 AM in England is 9:00 PM in New York. Schedule accordingly.

That’s it. Two minutes before the appropriate time, iCal will generate an alarm which will trigger iRecordMusic to begin recording off the specified URL. Its simple, it works and iRecordMusic is quite reasonably priced. I recommend it highly.

Now that you know how to listen to internet radio streams and record them while you are asleep/away, get out there and listen to some great material and enjoy!

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