Please tell me IN SIMPLE TERMS how to record a radio show

[QIsForCube]

Trying to research this but my head is beginning to hurt. All I want to do is record Pick of the Pops on Radio 2 (don’t ask ). I am happy to record it from a physical radio, a tv or online but I need it explained very simply how to do this. Anyone geeky enough to help out? I’d rather not spend hundreds of pounds on a pvr either - which is the only decent way I’ve managed to find so far. To confuse the matter further, I’m aware recording a show like this may not even be legal?

Recording radio for personal use is completely legal. Depending on what equipment you have, it can be very simple or a little more complicated.

Here's a nice guide using free software (don't be put off by him using a Mac if you have Windows, the software is available for both):

When it tells you to open up your chosen broadcasting software, you can just go to the BBC R2 website and click on 'Listen Live'. One final thing not mentioned, the levels can be a little low so, once your recording is finished, select all by holding down CTRL and pressing 'A' then click on the 'Effects' menu, select 'Amplify' and press okay. It will automatically amplify the audio to use the entire dynamic range so you won't have to turn the volume up further when you relisten to it.

Alternatively, you can follow the same process as in the video but plug your radio into the line in of your PC (assuming you don't have a laptop with only a headphone jack) and select line in instead of stereo mix as the audio source when recording.

Please don't hesitate to ask any further questions if you get stuck and do try it out before the show comes on so that you can check everything's working.

YOu put your cassette recorder right in front of your wireless and when the show starts press the ‘play’ and ‘record’ buttons at the same time. Woe betide anyone who comes in the room and speaks whilst you’re recording.

That’s how we did it in 1982, anyway 😂

It may help to know what you have already in the way of equipment as there may be cheap or free software available. There are lots of phone, tablet, laptop and desktop options. It may also be worth mentioning what you already have in the way of radios (perhaps one has a 3.5mm socket for earphones, or red and white RCA connectors (to go into an audio amplifier or sound bar).

In the past I had a DAB radio on and selectively switched the audio on or off on my laptop's speakers. I was generally recording around 18 hours a day in 3 or 4 sessions.

I have moved home since then and the hours I am awake have changed, as has the range of audio/ radio (with so much available via the internet I usually listen online, but there are noticeable delays on some services like Five Live so DAB is better so you know shows will start and end at defined times and the software only has to start and stop recording (I assume you plan to record several broadcasts).