How to Record Radio Shows with Audacity

How you can record radio shows with the free and easy to use Audacity for later use on your internet radio station or podcast.

by James Mulvany in Production

Last updated 14.08.2024

There is a large grey mixer in the centre of the image. On the right is a balck computer with a scrubber visible on the screen.

Listeners don't always get the chance to tune into their favourite shows, but this guide will teach you an easy trick to record radio shows for later use so your listeners can catchup on anything they've missed.

Learn how to record and edit any of your radio shows using Audacity to make them available later on for your internet radio station, podcast platforms like Mixcloud and SoundCloud, or use in promotions and jingles.

Record Radio Shows

What You Need

There are two programs you need to get started...

Audacity: A free recording tool that works with Mac, Windows, and Linux systems.
Broadcasting Software: Live broadcasting software to connect to your internet radio station.

For this example we're using Nicecast (Mac) to connect to our radio station, but you can use other broadcasting software like Winamp (Windows), BUTT (Mac, Windows, & Linux), and many others.

How to Get Setup

Audacity

Once installed, Audacity should look something like this:

Broadcasting Software

Open up your chosen broadcasting software and select the source as your microphone or system audio.

This is a grey and blue screenshot of how the Nicecast Setup page appears.

Music & Talk

Need to record both your voice and music? Then select the system audio in your broadcasting software so all audio produced from your computer is captured.

If you're on a Mac then download Soudflower by following this guide.

Record Radio Shows

Once you're ready to record your show then click the red button in Audacity.

This is a grey screenshot visualising how Recording appears on Audacity, as illustrated by a red circle over the recording symbol.

When your shows at an end click the stop button, then save your recorded audio by selecting File -> Export Audio -> then add your file name and the File Type should be MP3.

This is a grey screenshot showing how to Export Audio on Audacity, as explained in the instructions above

Enter your shows information, known as "metadata", like artist, title, and year, then continue.

This is a grey and white screenshot of how Metadata appears in Audacity

In order to export as an MP3, Audacity needs a decoder known as "Lame" which you can download here - Finally confirm to export your show.

This is a grey screenshot visualising how to Create Lame Audio in Audacity

Your exported recorded show will be ready to upload to your internet radio station.

This is a grey music note thumbnail of a stock Recorded Show called My Radio Show.mp3.

Radio.co can lend you a helping hand with your radio station and offer insight into the broadcasting world, you can even start a 7 day free trial so you can see first hand what the platform can do for you, plus get the added benefit of helpful guides like this one.

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