Question how to capture this audio stream and turn into mp3

[jimdagys]

There is a classical music audio stream (http://198.234.121.114:90)
(http://www.wksu.org/listen/)
that I think is a 32kbps aac plus stream.
My question is: I would like to know what kind of method can be used to rip this stream and turn into 64kbps mp3.
Currently I am using a software called Mini Stream Ripper version 2.8.0.200 (http://www.mini-stream.com/Mini-stream-Ripper/Mini-stream-Ripper.htm)
The problem is:
1) this is not free software
2) this software simultaneously rips and converts the stream to mp3, very convenient, but I would rather first rip the stream in its original digital format, save, and then convert to mp3
3)When I use Mini Stream Ripper, the hard drive makes an odd cycling noise that I don't like. I am worried that this could damage the hard drive.

[jimdagys]

I found this free software called StreamHijacker (http://streamhijacker.thomace.com/)
and it rips the above aacplus stream (http://198.234.121.114:90) into the hard drive. I can play the aac file with VLC player.
However, I don't know how to convert this file to mp3. Can someone please look at the 60 second audio file:
http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/11/30/441298/Channel.aac
and tell me how to convert to 64kbps mp3. Freeware is better.

[Baldrick]

Tried latest audacity beta?

And I added StreamHijacker to our tools list as it looks like useful audio grabber.

[jimdagys]

Downloaded latest Audacity and it will not import this kind of file. Any other ideas? Payware?

[Safesurfer]

Downloaded latest Audacity and it will not import this kind of file. Any other ideas? Payware?

You need the ffmpeg plugin for Audacity (the beta 1.3.9 version). See the link -

http://manual.audacityteam.org/index.php?title=FAQ:Installation_and_Plug-Ins#installffmpeg


Edit: You'll probably want the LAME MP3 encoder plugin (same page, scroll up) as well.

[t0nee1]

I just saved the AAC audio clip and opened/import it in VLC and converted to 64kbp/s mp3, try it...You could also import it in foobar2k and convert it...
Just to add you don't need to save it , you can just open with either apps mentioned..I just wanted to save it, and play with it a bit..

test.mp3

[jimdagys]

I tried using the latest beta of Audacity, and installed the ffmpeg plugin and lame. I still couldn't convert the above 60 second file. I could import the file, but the "converted" mp3 file would not play in Media Player Classic.
I tried VLC and used the transcoding wizard. One setting gave me a mp3 that played at half speed (twice as long). Other settings were the correct length (1min 13 sec), but the sound broke up about every half second.
I tried a payware called Magic AAC to MP3 Converter (http://www.magicvideo.net/aac-to-mp3/) and that seemed to work fine. However, the trial version will only convert 50% of the file. I didn't try foobar2k.

[t0nee1]

Not sure what issues you're having with playback but, both the original AAC and test.mp3 I provided play fine with VLC..

[Safesurfer]

I tried using the latest beta of Audacity, and installed the ffmpeg plugin and lame. I still couldn't convert the above 60 second file. I could import the file, but the "converted" mp3 file would not play in Media Player Classic.

What settings did you use for the MP3 export? I tried a couple of different settings with no problem.

[jimdagys]

I downloaded your test.mp3 and it indeed played fine with Media Player Classic. I am using VLC portable version 0.8.6i to do the transcoding. Can you tell me what version of VLC you are using and exactly what are all the steps and settings you are using to do the transcoding.
Thanks.

[t0nee1]

Using latest VLC ver 1.0.1
Fire up VLC-->Media tab-->Convert/Save-->Add stream-->Convert/Save-->choose Destination--> Settings-->Profile--choose MP3--> edit selected file-->Audio Codec choose MP3 and use 64kb/s for bitrate---Save

[jimdagys]

Thanks. I'll try that with VLC.
With Audacity I am using version 1.3.9 Unicode. I can't seem to import the aac. I don't get any error message, but I just don't see any evidence of something being imported. I installed the plugins. (See screenshot). I tried importing a mp3 and that imported just fine.

[jimdagys]

Followed your directions on the latest version of VLC and that worked. Only small problem is that G-spot showed the file to be mono, even when I choose 2 channel in VLC settings.
Still don't know why I can't get Audacity to import the aac file.

[Safesurfer]

There's something not right about the .aac file, MediaInfo reports the following:-

Format : ADTS
Format/Info : Audio Data Transport Stream
File size : 288 KiB
Duration : 1mn 20s
Overall bit rate : 29.4 Kbps

Audio
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format version : Version 2
Format profile : LC
Format settings, SBR : Yes
Format settings, PS : Yes
Muxing mode : ADTS
Duration : 1mn 20s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 29.4 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 44.1 KHz
Resolution : 16 bits
Stream size : 288 KiB (100%)

I can get it to open in Audacity, but only as a mono 22.5KHz file - odd. GSpot also sees it as a mono file.

The only player I have that seems to play it correctly is VLC. Tried Quicktime, Nero Showtime, Media Player Classic and Windows Media Player, they all choke on it.

[t0nee1]

By gosh you're right!..But here's a new.mp3 using a true/proper audio player/converting app, foobar2k..
There's also dBpoweramp, not free, but worth every penny, IMO..


newclip.mp3

[poisondeathray]

Why not just rip the 128kbps mp3 stream? Definitely better quality than the 32kbps AAC stream, and when you re-encode the AAC stream it make it even worse...

I use streamripper with winamp (not free), but you can use free front ends such as simpleripper , stationripper instead of winamp

These are free and open source hosted on sourceforge
http://streamripper.sourceforge.net/

[jimdagys]

I know there are several freeware stream rippers, for example
Stream Ripper32,
(http://download.cnet.com/StreamRipper32/3000-2168_4-10056220.html),
Castripper
(http://www.mini-stream.net/castripper/)
that will rip the 128kbps stream on the above WKSU radio web site.
However, I want to learn more about ripping the 32kbps AAC stream.
I can't get the latest beta Audacity to work. I can't seem to import the aac file properly, even though I have seeming installed the proper plugins. Anyone who can get Audacity to work, please give details. Look at screenshot and you can see blank waveform. Exporting this blank waveform to mp3 doesn't yield a playable mp3.
I downloaded and installed Foobar 2000. The above aac clip converts fine to mp3, but how do you use Foobar 2000 to convert the aac clip to 64kbps mp3? I could only use Foobar to convert to a high (158kbps according to Windows, 81kbps VBR according to G-Spot) bit rate, even when I choose the lowest bit rate.

[t0nee1]

The above aac clip converts fine to mp3, but how do you use Foobar 2000 to convert the aac clip to 64kbps mp3?

In preferences you need to create a new setting...Choose Preferences-->Converter-->MP3 and add new-- Use quality slider to desired quality(kbps)...

[jimdagys]

Ok, got it on how to change bit rate with Foobar. However, the result is a little screwy because the same converted file shows different bit rate between Windows and G-Spot, and I can't seem to make a CBR file. Maybe my Lame thingy is different than yours.

[jagabo]

You can cap the MP3 stream directly with VLC. Select Media -> Convert/Save. Go to the Network tab. In the address section enter http://66.225.205.8:8010/ . Press Convert/Save button. Enter a destination file name -- use the *.MP3 extension. In the settings box set Profile to Audio 0 MP3. Press the tool icon. Make sure encapsulation is set to RAW. Go to the Audio Codec tab. If you want the source MP3 without any conversion select the Keep Original Audio Track option. Otherwise set the MP3 properties you want. Press Save. Here's a 1 minute sample in the original format (44.1 KHz, stereo, 128 kbps):

cap.mp3

[jimdagys]

I find that VERY INTERESTING that you can do all that with VLC (capture AAC audio stream and simultaneously convert to mp3).
I followed your directions (but instead entered http://198.234.121.114:90 for AAC stream) and got a clean 64kbps CBR mp3 file. (However, file is mono, even though I ticked 2 channels in settings.) Added bonus is that hard drive did not make any annoying cyclic noise, as with payware Mini Stream Ripper. Gonna see if I can capture/convert about 20 hours of classical music and then put it on my mp3 player.

[Xpenguin17]

Find the streamed AAC file in your internet temp directory, decode to WAV with Nero AAC decoder and it should perfectly replicate it. The reason you keep ending up with a mono file is 'cuz the AAC file uses parametric stereo, and some decoders don't support AAC-HEv2.

[ConverterCrazy]