I am looking for such programs. My new computer is Dell Win7 which has no stereo mixer. With this software installed, I'm happy to get my stereo mixer back. Now I Can record again, Thanks giveawayoftheday, thanks shiningmorning.

I am by no means a "techie" in this crowd. I do not want to delete installed updates or edit the registry just to get a program to work on 64-bit. It isn't worth it - even if it's a free program. I never did get this to work even after following the directions on the page in the first comment. After reading further and seeing everything I'd have to uninstall and edit I decided it wasn't worth keeping so I uninstalled it. Maybe if they provide a 64-bit version of the program that didn't require so much digging I'd be willing to try it.

It does nothing, all I get were a couple of windows (Wavein:20: and Waveout:20:) saying "The specified format is not compatible or can't be translated..." over and over again. For me, this is just an useless piece of shit.

I do not know why a few people have problems on installation. Maybe it is caused by the complex installation for 64bit windows. There is a userful FAQ on its website:
http://www.shiningmorning.com/VirtualAudioStreaming/faq.html.
It simply works on my computer without any problem.

Win7 64-bit. Installed but could not register. Received the same 3 driver errors as many other people. Uninstalled and reinstalled with the same result. Followed instructions for Win7 64-bit install from developer's web page TO THE LETTER and could not get drivers to load. Uninstalled again. Enough is enough. This software is utterly useless for evaluation/testing purposes.

Too bad because I had been looking for a program that could do what this one claimed it could do. This would have been the most useful GAOTD product I have seen (at least for me) had it actually worked.

It seems it was released way before is should have been. Not worth the time and trouble (and potential system damage) required to try to get it to work on Win7 64-bit OS. Pity.

Installed on Windows 7 64bit. When starting up application, I get 3 popup warnings saying ‘Virtual Device not found.’. After it starts up, the UI is all messed up.

I'm also getting ‘Virtual Device Not Found’ Errors and, no, I'm not using 64bit Windows. I'm on Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit.

Hmm, not sure why people are having problems, I installed this at like 1:30 this morning (30 minutes after it was put up) It installed with no issues, runs with no issues, records with no issues... just, no issues. In case your interested, I'm using Windows XP on a HP netbook.

To those who have get 'virtual device not found', there is a FAQ on shiningmorning.com.

virtual audio streaming FAQ

The faq also gives suggestions on how to record sounds and microphone.

FYI, the stereo mix was not disabled by Microsoft or Dell in Win7. The problem is with your soundcard. I have a Dell PC without stereo mix because Soundblaster dropped it when they updated the drivers for their X-Fi cards to Win7. It was/is available in the XP drivers. Creative has one reference to this buried on their website. And when I contacted customer support, they verified that the stereo mix was no longer supported. As a result, I will never buy another Creative product. They are dishonest when they claim the soundcard is compatable with Win7.

To get around this I have tried the Freecorder toolbar to record internet radio, but about half the time it garbles the first few seconds of the track.

My suggestion is buy a Y adapter. Plug the single (male)end into your line out jack (usually green). Plug your speakers into the one female end and connect the other female end to a cable that connects to your microphone jack. Pick your favorite recording program, adjust the recording levels and your ready to go.

Another alternative are some media players that can record without the stereo mix. Try Winamp and get the Streamripper plugin. Or try Nexus radio.

Windows mixer in win 7 is usually in the hidden devices.

Works allright for me (XP SP#3). Had to register manual first but kept the noise (trial). Had to register again, auto, and it registered for good. Solved problems recording some files from streams with different security issues. Recordings are in >My Music> VirtualAudioStreaming. Can't miss'em!!!

It's not working for me on Win Vista HP 32. 3 popups saying there's a virtual driver problem, then program opens but will not record to disk.

If you are having trouble, follow the directions here: http://www.shiningmorning.com/VirtualAudioStreaming/install-virtualaudiostreaming-unsigned-driver-vista64.html

I was having trouble at first, but then I learned I had done something wrong. I installed and restarted, but forgot to disable driver signature checking. Logged in and tried to install driver, and it installed, but windows blocked it from being used. Restarted, pressed F8, disabled driver signature checking, and started normally, re-ran the driver install, and it works great now.

As for those having other troubles (I think I saw something about the default folder?)

When you have the program open, there are two tabs in the middle at the bottom. The program will probably default to the right one. Click the left one. Here you can change the default folder. (It should default to a folder under "My Music". You can change it if you want.)

For those worried about "This driver is not digitally signed", you don't have to be. There isn't anything to worry about. That just means the driver does not match a verified certificate provided by microsoft. Disabling driver signature checking by pressing F8 on restart will tell windows to ignore it. The warning box you see when you try to install the program is just a standard "one-sided" message from microsoft. You see this a lot when people make custom softwares. In this case, as with most cases, you have nothing to worry about. It's just microsoft in panic mode because it's non-microsoft software ;)

Thanks Giveaway Of The Day and Shining Morning Software!

Hey Sabine, many thanks for your advice. As a user of a little living- room sound studio it is quite incredible to me that such computers are given away. So i was lucky because i never thought about this circumstance. But - luck is with the fools, or how do you say it in english?

@54, those instructions were tantalizing for those on Win7/64, but did you notice in the troubleshooting notes that it seems to imply that you would need to do the special step on reboot (f8, to allow unsigned drivers) after every subsequent restart. The "workaround" offered is to instead use sleep/hibernate. Um, yeah. :-) Or like me, one may leave their PC simply running for days at a time. But in either case, if you forget to do this special reboot step next time, then this doesn't work.

Ugh.

To all those offering helpful alternatives, I'm curious: some people are looking for different things from this software (someone above pointed to an alternative tool for recording audio). My interest is the feature it proposes to allow us to play audio on our machine and have that played "through" to an online service.

In my case, I am often on presenting in shared desktop meetings (WebEx, Connect, GotoMeeting, LiveMeeting, etc.) and I would like to be able to play some audio and have that make it through to the meeting. Since the meeting software expects primarily to "hear" my mic, that therefore prevents it hearing any audio I play.

I'm looking for a solution to "play" that audio AND my mic at the same time, and it seemed this tool could help with that. Given the challenges with Win7/64, it doesn't seem an option. Anyone know of others?

The description says "Pure digital data transfer, just like a virtual audio cable, NO audio quality loss."
This is misleading. I'll use an example, such as playing a game and talking over the microphone. Using a cheap 20$ microphone and using a 300$ studio microphone will sound very similar over the game because the voice will be distorted when it is sent over to the server. The same goes for this program, no matter how high of quality your sound input is, it will always be distorted when it is sent to the server. The only way to improve the quality of your sound would be to improve your connection to the game server. This goes for any live web stream also.

@53 Sabine I just want to thank you for so helpfully mentioning that Dell disable the sound recording function (stereo mix) on all their computers. I was surprised to read this as I own a 4 year old Dell desktop on which I can record whatever is played on the sound card. Apparently, around 2008, in collusion with the RIAA (Record Industry Association of America), Dell started disabling the sound recording function on their computers. Musicians have been horrified to discover that they can't use their brand new PCs to create their own recordings. One blogger alleged that he was asked by Dell’s customer support staff to pay $99 to have the feature enabled. Disgraceful. So: my next PC will most certainly NOT be a Dell. Thanks Sabine.

This product did nothing for me but wasted my time. It didn't even work and is very user-UNfriendly. i, like others here, suggest the developers fine tune their product and iron out serious flaws (like it not even working on some systems at all) before they release it to the market. If any of that is offensive then i apologize, but it makes good sense to me. I just hope in going to uninstall this product that it does not make crap of my PC. Won't be able to find that out til after work today. If anyone else has had any issues with uninstalling successfully and fully, and/or knows how to, please share with me/us/our GOTD community what and how that we may assist each other. Thanks y'all :)

Virtual Audio Streaming is a virtual sound card driver with an app for virtual audio streaming. Software that plays &/or records audio connects to drivers which in turn normally connects to your soundcard or on-board audio chip -- in this case the portion that connects to actual hardware is missing, so it's called a *virtual* driver. I think the majority of those using virtual audio drivers like this have PCs/laptops with parts of their internal audio signal routing intentionally turned off [e.g. can't record playback], though as others have said [#11 etc.] they have other uses. It is sometimes possible (& maybe preferred) to turn on missing features in your audio hardware -- it may be just a single registry value edit, or may involve using reference drivers from the manufacturer. It may also be useful to remember that there are relatively few hardware manufacturers, & even fewer making audio chips, so I've read of brand X fixes or drivers working on brand Y, but that could mean a Lot of research, matching specs like type of CPU & audio chip across brands & models, then finding a fix for one of those matches. It's also possible to just run a patch cord from the output plug to the input -- note that you may have better results using a headphone splitter with volume controls like this http://goo.gl/jGHmd or better yet, versions with amplification -- that way you can monitor your audio with headphones, with volume turned down won't have to worry about input being too hot, & can adjust recording levels easier IMHO than using mixer controls in Windows -- the optional amp boosts the lower (shared) signal to your headphones]. Or just upgrade your audio hardware, which can give you better audio & PC performance -- on-board chips & cheap sound cards use more of the CPU.

I tried Virtual Audio Streaming in 7 ult SP1 RC 64, & after closing the 3 error messages found the VAS [Virtual Audio Streaming] window mangled/unusable, & the virtual device missing from Control Panel -> Sound. In a Windows VPC XP virtual machine it installed but had an additional 4th error message, & again no device recognized/added. In a VBox 7 ult 32 virtual machine it installed, & while I still got the 3 error messages, it appears to work. Note that the errors come from opening the streaming window -- not from the driver itself which is running, or rather loaded by Windows on startup. In the 7 32 vm starting the streaming app prompted a message to run as admin -- right-click the app's .exe file or shortcut & set run as admin to save a small bit of hassle. Also, it set itself as the default audio device, but with both speakers & mic muted -- starting VAS adds the app to 7's Volume Mixer. In the VAS window individual buttons to set VAS as default playback & records open the Windows Sound dialog -- real mic & real sound card tabs allow you to use real hardware with VAS -- & there's a tab in the center to "Record/Dump audio..." with buttons to Record, Open Folder, & a box to input the destination path.

Installation calls home once for GOTD authorization, once before presenting the agree to license radio buttons, & once after the screen with the choice to install the Bing toolbar. Activation phones home, & in XP & 7 32 virtual machines was simply a matter of pasting in the key [from the GOTD readme.txt] & typing an e-mail address -- in 7 64 I got an additional dialog displaying a machine ID. The setup file includes the Zugo sms-silent.exe to add the Bing toolbar should you choose that option, & if you choose not to install it still adds a Zugo key to the registry [mentioned in case someone else spots that key & wonders "what the..."] Otherwise install is as mild IMHO as it can be when you're adding an audio driver. You get the driver, vasdDev.sys, vasdevice.inf & .pnf files, with the VAS app [~5.5 MB] stored in the program's folder with a copy of the driver setup & 4 other files [uninstall, eula etc.]. I recorded 545 new registry entries in the 7 32 vm -- in 7 64 the driver didn't completely install so data recorded was worthless, & in the XP vm I recorded ~300 [since the app's window wouldn't display properly in 7 64, I didn't go further trying to Dx install problems]. Uninstall in the 7 32 vm [the only place today's GOTD seemed to work] did not remove the new driver -- I'd suggest using Autoruns [a free download from Microsoft.com] to 1st disable the driver, then after a re-boot it's up to you whether you want to delete the file &/or try to clean it out of Windows registry... sometimes when Windows tries to load a driver & finds the file missing it won't start, so by turning it off in Autoruns Windows won't try to load it.

I installed it on Windows XP. It runs fine.

Installed on Win 7 32bit. Registration worked, but was quirky.
I am also getting the "virtual device not found" error 3 times on startup. Can't seem to change inputs either.

I found these instructions on their site for 64bit Vista

How to install Virtual Audio Streaming on Vista64/Win7 64bit
(link is below, hope this helps some)

http://www.shiningmorning.com/VirtualAudioStreaming/install-virtualaudiostreaming-unsigned-driver-vista64.html

Enjoy

@50 Henri
If your PC has stereomix, a virtual soundcard does not have an advantage for you and you don't need it.
Virtual Audio Streaming is a solution for all the many people who have PCs without stereomix. For example Dell PCs all have stereomix disabled and therefore cannot record anything from what is heard. A virtual audio cable solves this.
Just read everything and also the comments, then actually you should see.

For those looking for an alternative that works well with Vista and Win 7, check out Polderbits. Works like a charm.

I, too, know the pain that is win7 64-bit with no "stereo mix". Some days I wish I'd never updated to the damn OS (not to mention the nightmare of static with the Gigabye/Realtech onboard sound). ARGGGGGGGGGGGG Anyway, if this program worked it would be a game changer for me. So developers, PLEASE fix this baby and offer it again later. In the meantime, if anyone knows of another freeware that solves the "stereo mix" problem in win7 64-bit, then I would wish Santa brings you everything you want for Christmas. Thanks anyway GAOTD.

Can please somebody explain to me what the advantage is of a virtual soundcard? I use mp3directcut to cut my recordings for years and it can record everything thats going over my stereomix (Win XP) and i still hear it. Thanks from a german visitor.

this doesn't work in 32 bit vista, period.

To those who have activation problems:

It's simple,
Use the online activation form of the software, input the key in the readme, then click activate button will get the software regestered.

To @37 ,
If the 'trial' noise still there, Restart Windows to make the driver reloaded. You will find the noise gone.

read everything, tried everything to install on win7 64. I surrender will be uninstalling this program. I've decided to start my New Years resolution early and not get mad at software anymore. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year GAOTD!

I really hope Shining Morning can issue a proper installer for Win7 x64. I am hardly a novice user and could not get the instructions to work and do not have time to dig through multiple KBs to try to figure it out. I do a lot of broadcasting on BlogTalkRadio via Skype, would dearly love the ability to easily capture sound bytes from streaming sources, and would gladly pay to use this program if it would install properly on my system. I also have a number of friends who would also welcome this program for the same reasons. As it is, however, I can't even test it.

DEVELOPERS: It is a huge mistake to release software that works on older machines but falls flat on the newest technology. I know it's harder to develop for the new platforms, but that is where you will typically find the users with money to buy your product and with sufficient knowledge and reputation to effectively recommend (or recommend against!) your software to others. When you release a product that does not function properly on the platform many power users prefer, you end up shooting yourself in the foot. Invest in the extra development cycles to get your software running right on the new platforms before you market it - it will pay you back for your efforts in terms of positive word-of-mouth marketing.

Indicators that trouble is ahead for installers of this software are that the installation/activation instructions can't be followed due to being poorly translated, inaccurate and incomplete, and platform requirements and restrictions are not indicated. The instruction page seems to be based on Windows XP. It doesn't work for Win 7/64.

Uninstalled.

Thanks to all who commented for saving me the aggravation that you went trough (and sorry about that!). I've installed tons of software from GAOTD successfully in the past so they're entitled to an occassional clunker.
I was especially interested in #13's comment:
"Also, take in mind that this application installs several drivers on your system. As with all drivers, they are loaded by Windows at boot time anyway, even if you don’t use the program. So, if you don’t really need it, I recommend to not install it. Installing useless drivers is always a bad idea!"
Does amyone know of a way to prevent Windows from automatically loading drivers for software only used occasionally?

For those who have 64-bit OS's, have you clicked the link to the software manufacturer's page above? There's a link there that specifically says "Instructions for installing on Vista/Win7 64-bit."

BTW, there's also an email link there if you have any problems with the program.

Here is the link to those instructions...

I am not sure what is up I can not install anything from givaway I get an "can not connect try later" ...this has been happening for a week or 2 .I can get to all other websites ..when I click on the exe to install the little window pops up saying it is checking for availability then it says can not connect try later....I have turned off malwarebytes and firewall and no good Pat

Wow! For me its like an early Christmas gift! Funny thing, I was just searching and trying several applications in the last days, to get my PC being able to record "what I hear" since I am one of the many users with a Dell PC which is known not have wave mix - so you can't record.
Actually last night I gave up, I tried Freecorder, but don't like the toolbar and anyway, it seems to only record anything that comes via internet but not from local applications. I tried 1AVcapture, which is fine but only records using the mic, and that means, it also records background noise. And I also tried VAC but couldn't get it to work and didn't have the patience to figure it out.
As if the invisible world answered my wish today I opened the GAOTD site and found exactly what I am just looking for!! Thats a little miracle!

Being cautious from all the comments here, I first installed Virtual Audio Streaming using Acronis Try&Decide. And I am absolutely happy to say, it works perfectly! (Win XP SP3 32bit).
I don't understand all the issues about activation here - it couldn't be easier, after installation on first opening you get an activation form, simply enter email addy and the key provided in the readme, click activate and a confirmation pops up, that its activated. Done. Doesn't realloy need special skills and there is nothing complicated about it and the key is in the readme. You see that its activated when there is no "trial mode, includes noise" (sth. like this, forgot the exact wording) appearing anymore.
I too first got the warning about not signed drivers, just clicked "Install" and it continued fine.
As for installing drivers, it installs all the same audio drivers that also Soundtaxi and others install. There is no need to have them autostart and you can simply avoid this if you either use an autostart watcher (I have Anvir that notifies about new autostart entries and I simply let it deactivate them) or use Autoruns from Sysinternals and deactivate them manually. No need for autostart, the drivers load anyway once you load the application.
This is the first time/app that I am now finally able to record what I hear and its in high quality mp3. And its very easy to use with a clear and friendly GUI, uncomplicated and simple steps.
Simply set the application you run for playing to Virtual Audio Streaming on output, click the record button in VAS and it does its job. Note that you won't hear the sound while it records, because it conducts it to the virtual sound card now instead speaker, but you can see if it records via the wave grafic in VAS.

For me it works perfectly and I am more than happy, since finally, finally I can record even on my restricted Dell PC. That feels like having upgraded my PC to a long missed functionality.
The more that it is offered here like an answer from heaven to my desire for such an option (that shows again, how the physical world is a mirror of the internal world).

Thank you, thank you, thank you to GAOTD and Shining Morning Software from a very happy Sabine!!!!

I also get the virtual driver not found. I am running Windows 7, 32 bit.
Uninstalled, reinstalled but no fix.
I suspect the program is crap.

I got it to install on Win 7 32-bit, and even after getting it to install and confirming that the registration has worked, I still get the "virtual device not found" error three times every time I launch it, and it still throws the annoying nag sounds and random woman saying "file" into it. It would be a great piece of software if it actually worked.

Installs and works just fine under Windows XP. Activates fine. BUT...installs BING search toolbar in my Firefox even though I unchecked those options in the install screen. And, Firefox doesn't even show the toolbar to deselect. I had to run Revo Uninstaller (great program) to get rid of it. Program was labeled "Search Toolbar", not BING toolbar. And since it's been installed, my anti-malware programs keep popping up messages about accessing all sorts of folders. If this doesn't go away, it's going to be uninstalled right away.

Works just fine on xp pro sp3 no problems when installing. Used Manual Activation and worked.

#3 Doyle. That is a very old error and no one needs to verify anything. It's a holdover from Windows 95. Just ignore it if the software you got is from a site you trust (like GAOTD). Go for it!

Sorry to say, this app just won't work on my system. The UI is all messed up and unreadable. You get constant "device not found" errors and other application warning messages. Win 64x. Thought maybe this would improve music playback or something. Thanks anyway!

Win XP 64 bit. People that reported troubles with 64 bit systems, they were right! Completely useless. Pop-up windows claiming that virtual device not found, and so on. Not useful at all.

Now,it work.Problem is than when you want to play what you record,it must to shwitch from settings,from Virtual to your sound card.It must to be a buttom somewhwere to shwitch betwen Virtual and sound card.

Nitpick:
This software does not "...simulate a virtual sound card on your Windows system."

Whomever wrote the copy for this product made essentially a double-negative grammar error.

Either it "simulates a hardware sound card" or it is "a virtual sound card".
"Simulating a virtual sound card" really would not do much of anything.

To #1

I'm running Vista 32 bit sp2 on a Compaq Pentium duel core with 3 gig ram and Conexant audio.

Installed fine, But keeps saying "Virtual Device not Found" 3 times before program starts.

And audio does not come out of speakers when using virtual sound driver.

Don't use the MANUAL ACTIVATION form to activate the software. The correct way is to use its ONLINE activation form.

1.To those users who have ‘Virtual Device Not Found’ Errors:

you must be using 64bit Vista/Win7, so please try to follow below installation guide to get Virtual Audio Streaming to work properly:

I am using vista home premium 32b.. I have the same issues.

The software is useful. I upgrade to Win7 recently and find my sound driver has no 'stereo mix' option. Virtual Audio Steaming fixes this problem for me at least.

I run Windows 7 64-Bit. Even after following the extra instructions as noted in comment #1, the program still returns the "Virtual Device Not Found" error.

Also, does SM bundle the Bing Toolbar in their retail packages? If so, that's bad form. If I pay for a program, I should not have to deal with useless 3rd part applications.