I have a fairly big CD collection along with plenty of MP3s which I've ripped from my collection. But when it comes to acquiring new music, legal issues surrounding file sharing have pushed me to find new sources for music.
I will spare you my opinions on the subject, but suffice it to say I'd rather find other methods of getting new music than roll the dice on paying a big fine. I buy music from online music stores from time to time, but my need for new music would translate into spending a lot of money if that was all I did.
That's why I use stream rippers. Fortunately, recording Internet radio remains in legal limbo with the recording of regular broadcast radio providing a precedent for legality. Plus, if you do a little searching, you can find plenty of good Internet radio stations that cover any genre of music you might be interested in.
When I find a really good station, I use a stream ripper to save the music on my hard drive. Then I can pick the songs I like and delete the rest. If you'd like a way to hear new music, check out my four picks for stream rippers. As a word of warning, once you start recording Internet radio streams, it can be quite addictive.
RipCast lets you use a Napster-like interface (remember the old Napster?) to search for your favourite types of music. Once you begin downloading, it automatically splits the MP3s up by title so that you can find the songs you like quickly later on. If you're particularly ambitious (read: addicted), you can rip up to eight stations at once. (Shareware/Windows)
Total Recorder Standard Edition records whatever sound is coming through your system, from Windows Media and RealPlayer to microphone inputs and CDs. The interface is simple and easy to use. If you want to start recording right away without too much hassle, this is the program for you. (Shareware/Windows)
Streamripper for Winamp a plug-in for Winamp, lets you record streaming music. I like this one on my PC because I never have to leave Winamp to find and download new music. From there, I can choose what I want to save. (Free/Windows)
RadioLover for Mac OS X lets you record iTunes streams and automatically separates the songs into individual MP3 files. This software is the best of its kind for Mac users, letting you get free new music for your iPod. (Shareware/Mac)
Use one of these programs to record and save the music from your favourite Internet stations so that you always have new, fresh music.
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peterh_oz
28/10/2006 11:55 PM
One you missed was SDP Multimedia from http://sdp.ppona.com - handles all Windows Media format streams.
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jessemcmullen
11/01/2007 10:07 AM
kool
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Sakura0113
24/08/2007 02:00 PM
*i want to have a free download barbie girl mp3 and be a member*
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your mom
25/11/2007 07:57 AM
lolololololololololololololololo i can do this all year long
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