Record live stream audio

[bawldiggle]

I want to record live streaming audio.

The only recording device my laptop has is "Microphone"
Audacity v2.0.3 will only record via the mic which includes my-background noise and feedback from the inbuilt speakers.

Audacity v2.0.5 is the same.
I just downloaded "Free Sound Recorder" but it comes with adware "Snap.do" which cannot be optioned out.

I would appreciate any guidance

-----
EDIT
-----
SPECS:
Toshiba Satellite C665
OS:= Windows 7 Home Premium (32-bit), sp1 (Build 7601) OEM
UI:=Classic Shell Start + Classic Explorer

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I haven't been keeping up with sound recording on Windows 7, but if you want to record what you are hearing, you generally need a recording device called "stereo mix".

Some sound cards provide stereo mix. Some don't. On earlier operating systems, most sound cards had that functionality. Not so for Windows 7.

My motherboard uses a Realtek audio chip, which works fine for stereo mix with Audacity.

If your sound card doesn't provide stereo mix, you can instead use an external USB sound card.

I used to use a Behringer UFO 202 for that purpose and it worked OK. Cost about $35.

You can also investigate other drivers for your sound card---such as those for Vista. That may or may not help.

As a last resort, you may be able to record what you hear by running a standard cable from your laptop speaker output to the microphone input.

 

[fireberd]

Go to the Sound Panel/Recording Section. RIGHT click in an empty area in that panel and then click to show "Disabled" and "Disconnected" devices. If you are lucky Stereo Mix will show up and you can enable it and make it the default playback device.

 

[bawldiggle]

Hi fireberd

Toshiba only has "Mic" ... no StereoMix ... and "Disabled" and "Disconnected" devices are empty.
"Mic" is it.

Is my mission impossible (pun not intended) ?

Thank you

SPECS:
Toshiba Satellite C665
OS:= Windows 7 Home Premium (32-bit), sp1 (Build 7601) OEM

 

[Barman58]

Due to concerns over copyright infringements, (perceived or actual), many, though not all, sound drivers for Windows now lack a option to record "StereoMix" or "What you hear".

Unfortunately, if you are one of the unlucky ones, that are missing the option, then the workarounds posted above are your only options.

You may be able to find a working driver for the actual sound chip used, from the manufacturer of the chip, though this is again a hit & miss thing

 

[bawldiggle]

Hi ignatzatsonic and Fireberd

- I have a sinking feeling
Sound Card:= Speakers (Conexant SmartAudio H |
Motherboard:= TOSHIBA Portable PC



Maybe I only have previously mentioned options.
1. connect speaker out to mic-in
2. external sound card
3. try another non-laptop machine

Thank you all for your contributions

 

[bawldiggle]

Just discovered one of my spare rigs (Win7) has Realtek Sound card + StereoMix (disabled)

If I get stuck I will come back
Thanks again