How to Record FM Radio to Your PC

Unlike digital media, FM radio is a medium that does not allow you to repeat programming at your leisure.

FM radio stations often play content that we wish to save but do not have the resources to contact the station and request a copy of the broadcast program's audio. Transferring sound from an analog audio device into your computer is called digitizing. Digitizing radio programming can be done with one small piece of audio hardware and some software that is already included on your Windows computer. Once you have digitized the audio, you will be able to listen to your recorded radio programming with much more freedom.

Things You'll Need

• 1/8 inch male to 1/8 inch male audio cable

Instructions

1. Turn on your FM radio and plug one male end of your 1/8 inch audio cable into the radio's headphone jack.

2. Plug the other male end of the cable into your PC soundcard's audio input jack.

3. Click "Start" in the bottom right hand corner of your screen or press the Windows key on your keyboard. Navigate to "Accessories" then click on "Windows Sound Recorder."

4. Press the "Record" button in the Windows Sound Recorder window when you are ready to begin recording the radio broadcast. This button is indicated by a red circle.

5. Press the "Stop" button when you are ready to end the recording.

6. Click the word "File" near the top of the Windows Sound Recorder window. In the menu that appears, select "Save As." Name your file and choose a location on your hard drive where you want to save this digitized audio file. Press "Save."

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure it is permitted to record the specific content that you are recording from the FM radio. Often FM radio stations are allowed to play copyrighted audio materials that it would be illegal to record and/or distribute. Know the legality of your recording actions before taking any of these steps.

References

• Online Learning at Capital Community College: Help with Sound Recorder