If you're a regular listener to NPR (National Public Radio), you probably understand how rich their content is. It's not just news anymore, but a rich selection of stories, podcasts, analysis, documentaries, and shows that really make you think.
But here's the problem: you turn on your favorite show, and then you want to listen to it again later, but it's no longer available. Or you listen to an interesting interview, but you didn't have time to remember the details, and now you're tormented that you've most likely lost it forever.
The reason? NPR broadcasts in a streaming format. That is, if you haven't saved the show yourself, it will disappear from the air after a while. And the official app allows you to download only some podcasts, and not always.
So what should those who want to record everything, from news to special projects, do?
I experimented for a long time: I tried online services, old recorders, even made manual recordings on my phone. Everything was either too complicated, or unreliable, or required money.
In the end, I found a working method - stable, simple and independent of advertising or restrictions. And I'll tell you how to do it.
1 What can you record from NPR and why should you do it?
NPR has long gone beyond the usual radio. Today, it is a real media platform, where they release:
- Daily releases: Morning Edition, All Things Considered
- Long-term research: Radiolab, This American Life, Planet Money
- Political analysis: Fresh Air, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!
- Music shows: Tiny Desk Concerts, World Cafe
- Special projects and documentaries
They release new episodes every day, and most of them are available in the stream for a couple of days at most. Sometimes they are added to podcasts, sometimes not. So if you didn’t manage to download it in time, consider that you have lost it forever.
As for the technical part, NPR uses streaming broadcasting in AAC format with a bit rate of 64-128 kbps, which is quite enough for both voice and good music. The sound is clear, the voices sound good, and it is easy to listen to in headphones. But you can’t officially save it without permission - although no one stops you from simply “recording for personal use”.
I have a podcast subscription, but half of the stuff I like is only live. So I learned to record everything myself.
2 Why NPR is so hard to record
Many people think that NPR is just internet radio and can be downloaded like any other stream. In reality, it's more complicated.
First, the NPR website works via streaming and does not provide links to a direct file. That is, you can't just copy the URL and play it in the player.
Second, the official NPR News app does not allow you to download all the episodes. Only those made as podcasts. The rest can only be listened to online.
Third, many online services simply do not work with their stream. They see the signal, but cannot record it properly due to the peculiarities of encoding and protection.
So if you want to record everything, including live broadcasts and special projects, you need a working method that will work every time.
3 How to Record NPR on Windows: A Proven Method
After years of trial and error, I've found that the best way to record NPR is with i-Sound Recorder.
This is a program that can record any sound played on your computer, including web streams, YouTube, Spotify, and other services. It even handles recording Hi-Res music from Qobuz. And NPR is no exception.
Here's how I do it at home:
I open the NPR website or select a station. I press Play on the show I want to record. I launch i-Sound Recorder and select the source: "Stereo Mix" or "Speakers", depending on your version of Windows.
I choose the format for saving. I usually use MP3 192 kbps, which is roughly the same quality as the original broadcast.
I usually know the length of the show in advance, so I use the Auto-Stop feature. I set it up, press Record, and go about my business.
In the case of radio, the program will not be able to automatically recognize the artist, so I enter the file name myself or use the automatic file name generation, specifying the name of the show. You can also turn on the VOX function, so that the recording starts only when the sound appears, and stops when it does not. This is convenient if you do not know the exact start time.
What is much more interesting is that i-Sound Recorder can schedule recordings. That is, if you know that an important episode of Morning Edition will start at 08:00 ET, you can set the program to autostart and calmly go to bed. It will start and stop recording itself.
4 How to Record NPR on Mobile: Screen Recording
I used to think that the only way to record NPR on your phone was to install a third-party app. But it turns out that modern smartphones (Android and iPhone) allow you to do this through the built-in screen recording.
Yes, you heard right. You can simply record your screen as a video, turn off the microphone, and as a result, get a file with the system sound inside. And then cut the audio track from this video - and you're done.
Here's how to do it:
On Android:If you have a device on Android 10 or higher, you have a built-in screen recording function. If not, download AZ Screen Recorder or V Recorder, they support recording system sound.
- Open the desired NPR episode in a browser or through the official app.
- Start recording the screen. In the sound source selection menu, select "System Sound" and not the microphone.
- Press "Record" and let the show play - at least ten minutes, at least an hour.
- Stop recording when the show is over.
- Now open the video in any editor (for example, KineMaster, CapCut, Shotcut) and select only the audio track.
- Export the audio separately in MP3 or AAC format.
Done! You have pure audio without video, which you can listen to anywhere.
On iPhone:
On iPhone, Apple limits the options a little, but iOS allows you to record the screen with system sound, starting with iOS 14. The main thing is to enable the settings correctly.
Here's how I do it on my iPhone:
- Go to "Settings > Control Center" and add "Screen Recording" there.
- Open Safari or the NPR app and launch the desired program.
- Swipe down, long-press the screen recording icon and turn off the microphone.
- Click "Start Recording", let whatever you need play.
- When you're done, stop recording and find the file in "Photos > Albums > Screen Recordings".
- Then open it in iMovie or another editor and export only the audio.
This method works even if you don't want to pay for special apps or use jailbreak. It's completely legal and safe.
To tell the truth, recording on the radio on the go is the most convenient thing to do. And it quickly drains the battery. I used it only a couple of times in the car when the smartphone was connected to the charger.
5 Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to record NPR?Yes, if you listen live and record it on your device for personal use, that's fair use. But distributing these recordings without permission is strictly prohibited.
Is it possible to record NPR in high quality?Yes, if you choose the right format. For i-Sound Recorder, I usually use WAV or FLAC if I want the best quality. If I'm just listening on the go, MP3 192 kbps is more than enough.
What if I want to record a specific show, but I can't find it in podcasts?Then streaming recording will help you. Just open the page with the show, turn it on, and launch i-Sound Recorder.
Is it possible to record NPR at night while I'm sleeping?Sure. i-Sound Recorder has a scheduler feature. You can specify the exact time, and the program will turn on, record and save it.
How can I find the program I need on the NPR website?It’s best to navigate by sections. For example, NPR One — it contains the most popular shows. There’s also NPR Live Streams, where you can select a specific station.
Can I listen to all of this later, without the Internet?That’s exactly why we record. Save it in MP3 or M4A and upload it to any app and listen anywhere.
What if I want to trim the beginning or end after recording?i-Sound Recorder has a built-in editor. You can trim, save, rename and other actions right inside the program.
6 Conclusion
NPR is more than just radio. It’s a library of contemporary culture, politics, economics, and human stories. And if you listen to it regularly, sooner or later you’ll find yourself wanting to save episodes to listen to later, find a phrase, repeat an idea, or just remember what was said about an event a month ago.
Yes, NPR has podcasts. But not everything that’s broadcast becomes a podcast. So a personal recording is the only way to save everything that interests you.
The tools are there. i-Sound Recorder works great. Your phone can handle it, too, albeit with some caveats. The main thing is to set everything up correctly, and then you’ll be able to listen to NPR anywhere, anytime, without the Internet.