flv to mp3 - why so hard?

[Cameron Poole]

There's a song I just discovered on YouTube which I bought in 1999 but which I've long since lost, I got the album also and that too will be on the other side of the world. It's too rare to be available on iTunes so I figured i'd use my YouTube downloader to get the file and extract the audio using Wondershare Video Converter.

The song downloads in seconds but only as an flv file which Wondershare Converter does not seem at all happy or familiar with. I've changed the affix to .mp3 which has fooled my laptop into opening iTunes when clicked on but alas there is nothing there.

Any ideas folks?

[Brian P. Reynolds]

If all else fails SoundSlug : Instantly save any audio you hear on your computer.

[Cameron Poole]

Thanks Brian, will try that.

[Greg Miller]

According to the website, Sound Slug is "almost available" and you can only reserve one, not order one.

Besides, that records from the analog headphone output jack, so the sound has gone through a few stages of less-than-optimal analog electronics before you record it.

The better solution is to install Total Recorder Audio/Video Recorder, Editor, Converter. Capture streaming video and audio. which records the digital stream within your computer, before it gets converted to analog. You'll get a good clean recording of any audio stream going through your PC. This is a great program, which I've used for years with complete satisfaction. Registration has now climbed to the ungodly price of $18. USD. Get Total Recorder and never turn back.

(There is also a Pro edition, and a Video edition, neither of which you need for the purpose you describe. Just buy the Standard edition for now; you can always upgrade later if your needs change.)

[Don Bloom]

I 2nd Total Recorder. Also used it for years and thru many computers. I love it, can't be without it. Great investment.

[Greg Miller]

Looking back, I see that I started with v.3 some time prior to 2000 (my download archives only go back that far). At that point, registration was $12. What a bargain for 12+ years of service! (They are now up to version 8.x.)

BTW, they never charge for an update. If you buy a given version (Standard, Pro, whatever) then you will have free updates to that version forever. Micro$oft, Adobe, and others sure don't offer a deal like that. Even if you never use the program, you should send in a check for $18 just to reward them for their ethics.

[Adrian Frearson]

There's also Audio Hijack Rogue Amoeba | Audio Hijack Pro: Record Any Audio On Mac OS X

[Richard Crowley]

It is trivial with: clip.dj - online youtube to mp3 and mp4 converter

[Coral Cook]

I use VLC player (VideoLAN - Official page for VLC media player, the Open Source video framework!) with great results, plus it does a heck of a lot more.