Any software that can live record a line-in feed?

**BlackAWD** · 12-08-2005, 04:37 PM

I am in the process of installing an IBM Thinkpad T30 in my car. It has a microphone input and line input and headphone output.

I want to run the output of my headunit (which has dual zone - i.e. can play two sources at a time - one to speakers and a separate one into line out) into the line in of the computer and then out through the headphone jack into the auxillary input of my head unit.

This is so that I can record live radio - you know - to help to answer that - what is that song questions!

My question is is there software that can record the line in while simultaneously (or with a slight delay) playing it as well?

I did a search for this question here and on Google and couldn't find any info about it

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

**Bobby Digital** · 12-08-2005, 05:17 PM

umm won't the headunit already be playing the radio while it's outputting to the computer's line in? Don't understand why you would want it to output to PC then back to headunit to play it, the headunit won't be on aux-in mode, it will be on radio mode, thus the headunit will be playing radio (outputting it to the speakers and to the PC), it won't care what's coming in the input line until you switch it to aux-in mode...

**buurin** · 12-08-2005, 05:26 PM

Probably not very helpful but relevant:

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/radioshark/

**SnyperBob** · 12-08-2005, 05:38 PM

Um, the simplest way would probably be to use the built in Windows wav recorder thing. You could also try running the input into your carputer's MIC port, then unmute the mic in your audio control panel. This will allow you to record, and also allow the audio to play on your headphone jack of your carputer(live).

Obviously substitute whatever you have for where I say MIC input and HEADPHONE output. Many ppl have high end audio cards in their machines so I explained it in the simplest terms.

**BlackAWD** · 12-08-2005, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Bobby Digital

umm won't the headunit already be playing the radio while it's outputting to the computer's line in? Don't understand why you would want it to output to PC then back to headunit to play it, the headunit won't be on aux-in mode, it will be on radio mode, thus the headunit will be playing radio (outputting it to the speakers and to the PC), it won't care what's coming in the input line until you switch it to aux-in mode...

My speakers are powered by the head unit. Therefore the speakers can only accept one source at a time - aka the headunit. So, if I want to listen to the radio AND get GPS guidance from my computer I need to wire up my computer to the head unit.

The way I can do this is through the Auxillary in - which means I need to switch to Aux mde on my headunit - which means - no radio! Follow so far?

Fortunately my headunit Clarion DXZ946MP has a feature called 2 zone - which means it has a headphone output and can process both the auxillary inputs and radio/cd at the same time - i.e puts the radio to the headphones and aux in to the speaker or vice versa!

So, I am taking the headphone output from the headunit (with a radio or CD signal from the headunit) putting it into my laptop via line-in, mixing it with the signal from CoPilot to get a combined line out signal which feeds back to the head unit through the Aux in - this signal then gets processed and relayed to the speakers.

When I am not using my carputer, I simply switch 2 zone mode off and listen to the radio straight off the headunit...

I hope it is clear now!

The question that I had was whether you knew any good software (preferably with good touch screen interface) that also allows you to record the line-in signal while letting it pass (or relaying it) to the line out.

I had a look at RadioShark software - but it appears to be only for the RadioShark device?

**SnyperBob** · 12-08-2005, 05:42 PM

"Sound recorder" is the name of the Windows program.

Like I said, you can unmute your mic within Windows,
Start-->Programs-->Accessories-->Entertainment-->Volume Control.

When it opens, make sure you have 'advanced controls' selected.
Options-->Adanced controls

Many gamers test to see if their microphone is working by unmuting it, then talking into it. It'll play the audio from the mic through the speakers.

Once you have the microphone showing in the volume control panel, uncheck 'MUTE'.

**SnyperBob** · 12-08-2005, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by BlackAWD

The question that I had was whether you knew any good software (preferably with good touch screen interface) that also allows you to record the line-in signal while letting it pass (or relaying it) to the line out.

Hmmm, I see. Well I know Ol33l made some sort of software that will unmute/mute the microphone in Windows on its own. I can't remember if Frodo made some sort of audio recording software. If I can think of anything else that will work, I'll let you know.

Otherwise, this might be a simple program that a developer/coder here might be willing to throw together for you. I know StevieG's Access Control automatically recorded sound, but it also locks the screen down while doing so. I'm willing to bet once he releases the code we could mod it to do what you want.

Post if you find any software that does what you want, this is interesting

**buurin** · 12-09-2005, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by SnyperBob

"Sound recorder" is the name of the Windows program.

Like I said, you can unmute your mic within Windows,
Start-->Programs-->Accessories-->Entertainment-->Volume Control.

When it opens, make sure you have 'advanced controls' selected.
Options-->Adanced controls

Many gamers test to see if their microphone is working by unmuting it, then talking into it. It'll play the audio from the mic through the speakers.

Once you have the microphone showing in the volume control panel, uncheck 'MUTE'.

A .wav file will get REALLY big REALLY quick and they can be no larger than 2gb. Creating and deleting these huge files repeatedly is going to fragment your drive pretty bad.

You're right though, it is easy but doesnt solve the HeadUnit not being in AUX-IN mode. Dont know what you can do about that.