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[lojeda]

Hi

I've just created an account to see if you guys can help me.

I've read the whole thread and nothing is working for me to capture sound from FireFox (Youtube) and record it on audacity while still listening it.

My settings are as follows

mac output: headphones/internal speakers

loopback: virtual device called "Firefox" with Firefox added as an audio source.
Both, mute audiosources and monitor audio through are unchecked

Audacity: Recording device: Firefox. Playback device: Built in output

I hit the record button and nothing but a flat line. I've made sure nothing was muted, still no luck.

This only happens with Firefox, I have another virtual device with Spotify, same settings and it works like a charm.

The only way it works (which I see it should not be used) is by setting my mac to output to the virtual device "Firefox" If I do this it starts receiving the audio but obviously I can't monitor it even after checking the box "monitor audio through" and select my headphones/speakers.

I'm kind of lost, I don't know any more if I'm missing something, I've tried a lot of combinations with no luck. Any help would be really appreciated.

[desmond]

Is this with Loopback 1 or Loopback 2?

(Loopback has been updated since this thread, the new version has a much more visual flow diagram which should help people visualize the audio flow more easily...)

Edit: Just tried it here, Loopback 2, Audacity, latest Firefox, it works fine for me - set Firefox playing YouTube, created a Loopback device with Firefox as a source, and selected that Firefox loopback device as input into Audacity, turned input monitoring on in Audacity, and it gets audio levels without any problems...

[lojeda]

Thanks for the quick replay Desmond.

Is this with Loopback 1 or Loopback 2?

Is Loopback 1 (am I screwed?)

I'm attaching some captures of my settings.

System:


Loopback:


Audacity interface:


Audacity Prefs:

[desmond]

Does it work if you use Safari or Chrome?

[desmond]

Is Loopback 1 (am I screwed?)

I tried with Loopback 1, and it works here exactly as expected, no problems.

What versions of OSX, Firefox, Loopback and Audacity are you using?
Does Safari and Chrome get audio passed into Audacity as expected, just FF doesn't?
Does FF pass audio into some other audio application (not Audacity)?
Does the demo of Loopback 2 work for you, or behave the same?

Trying to rule out where the problem you are having is occurring.
Try all these, and let me know the specific answers to each...

[Sam Spoons]

Or use a Youtube to mp3 converter if it's just YouTube stuff you want? https://www.onlinevideoconverter.com/mp3-converter

[ef37a]

PheeEEuuw!

I have been recording anything that I can hear out of this 6/7yr old HP i3 laptop for years.

"Stereo Mix" and into Samplitude SE8 but I am pretty sure I have done it with Audacity and AA1.5. Mainly radios 3 and 4 but the odd YT grab as well.

I USED to be able to do it with a 2496 card (Mon Mix) in a desktop but post a trial of W10 and a revert back to W7, the old M-A control panel has gone and MMix with it. Still, the card comes up to TRS in a breakout box so I just patch across.

I understand this easy/pc solution has been removed in W10? Maybe OP should look for a cheap,sh HP with W7?

Dave.

[desmond]

As I have mentioned many times, including on this thread, the best, easiest, slickest no-hassle solution for recording audio from apps on the Mac is Audio Hijack.

Loopbacking to Audacity is using two different apps, where Audio Hijack has the hijacking and recording (and inserting plugins if you want) all built in.

Loopback is really designed for people with complex internal routing needs (like recording podcasts from multiple sources and apps to multiple individual and mixed recordings) and it's overkill for just recording an app. It's also a lot more expensive than Audio Hijack, simply because it's target audience is much more niche.

I recommend, and continue to recommend Audio Hijack on the Mac for app recording, or app audio processing, and it's way better than any other solution I've seen on any platform. No wiring, no creating virtual audio devices, no changing preferences to route things across virtual audio devices - just a simple preset for "Grab Firefox" -> "Record to WAV (etc)" and hit go... It's a beautiful application...

But I don't think lojeda was looking for alternative ways of doing this (or moving computer platform!), he was trying to troubleshoot why his system, that should be working, doesn't seem to be...

[lojeda]

desmond » Mon Jan 14, 2019 4:08 am
Does it work if you use Safari or Chrome?

Well I'll be damned.Thank you!
It works with Chrome but not with Safari (Version 12.0.2 (13606.3.4.1.4)) or FireFox (64.0.2 (64-bit)). This could be a workaround for my problem. I feel dumb for not trying it before.

I'm on macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 (17G4015) which is the latest Version I can use since my macbook is an early 2011 model.

Does the demo of Loopback 2 work for you, or behave the same?

I haven't tried Loopback 2

Sam Spoons » Mon Jan 14, 2019 5:20 am
Or use a Youtube to mp3 converter if it's just YouTube stuff you want? https://www.onlinevideoconverter.com/mp3-converter

It's not YouTube what I'm trying to capture, is a variety of web streams.

As I have mentioned many times, including on this thread, the best, easiest, slickest no-hassle solution for recording audio from apps on the Mac is Audio Hijack.

I didn't know about this app, I stumble with Loopback browsing for a solution a year ago for a specific scenario I had and it worked fine (and yeah, I shoulda done more research) I just wanted to continue using it since I've already paid the license.

But I don't think lojeda was looking for alternative ways of doing this (or moving computer platform!), he was trying to troubleshoot why his system, that should be working, doesn't seem to be...

Exactly this. I'm less stressed now that I found a workaround based on your suggestions.

[desmond]

It works with Chrome but not with Safari (Version 12.0.2 (13606.3.4.1.4)) or FireFox (64.0.2 (64-bit)).

That's very strange - audio capture from Safari at least should be well-tested and flawless (and has always worked fine for me). It might be worth giving Rogue Amoeba tech support a message and see what they say.

Does the demo of Loopback 2 work for you, or behave the same?

I haven't tried Loopback 2

DL it from their website and give it a try. I would expect the behaviour on your system to be the same as v1.x, but it would be curious if that works, but v1.x doesn't (and more info for the tech support message.)

I'm less stressed now that I found a workaround based on your suggestions.

It's up to you whether the workaround is good enough, but I'd suggest you might want to try and get this sorted, as audio capture from web browsers is a great feature that should be bullet proof... and works here (on Sierra and all versions of OSX going back to Audio Hijack Pro 1.x).

[ef37a]

Not suggesting the OP should jump OS's Des' just a lighthearted suggestion that perhaps he should buy a cheap, low grade W7 laptop, set it up as I have mine, stick it in the corner doing its thang while he gets on with more interesting stuff?

Or are there "Apple police"?

Dave.

[ConcertinaChap]

There are, Dave, and if I were you I'd be moving to a new address and changing my identity round about now.

CC

[ef37a]

There are, Dave, and if I were you I'd be moving to a new address and changing my identity round about now.

CC

Oh I'm ok, never so much as TOUCHED a mac and I keep all Apple software off my machines.

Years ago #1 son installed iTunes and when I took it off I found the DVD player would no longer work!

Dave.

[ConcertinaChap]

Well, if ever you do touch a Mac, beware!