How to Download Any Sound that Plays From Your Computer

This simple trick allows you to capture any audio that comes out of the headphone out of your computer, regardless of whether there is download feature enabled. These instructions are written for Mac and GarageBand, but the same principle applies for Windows.

Essentially, the trick is to use a cable to route sound coming from your headphone out into your line in, and record it using your preferred recording software. (GarageBand in this case.)

Step 1: Find a short cable with an 1/8 inch male connector on both ends.

Step 2: Plug one end into your computer’s headphone out; plug the other end into your computer’s line in.

Step 3: Open garageband and create a new “Loops” project.

Step 4: Create a Real Instrument Track

Step 5: Turn off the metronome (Control>Metronome), click record, and then play the audio you wish to record.

Step 6: After the audio has finished playing, you can export the captured audio to iTunes: Share>Send to iTunes

If it doesn’t work check the following:

The recording level for the track is turned up.

Your Computer’s Volume is Turned up

Audio Input is set to “Built-in Input” (Garageband>Preferences> Audio/MIDI)