how-to record on your ipod (for free)

Posted Dec 30th 2004 1:51AM by Phillip Torrone
Filed under: ipod hacks

uncrippled

apple cripples recording on an ipod so belkin and griffin then have to sell us add-on devices for over $50 that can only record at 8khz, which is all pretty shitty. apparently (the rumor is) apple does this so people don't use their ipods to record stuff they think we shouldn't, like concerts, whatever.

but don't worry, there's a way around it and you can record at high quality, all for free.

1. Install Podzilla on your iPod (not all models are supported).
2. Boot in to Linux on your iPod.
3. Go to Extras > Recordings, choose 8,32,44.1,88.2 or 96kHz the higher, the better quality.
4. Record via Line In a microphone or even use your headphones.
5. Boot back in to the normal iPod OS plug in to the doc, grab your files from the iPod in the "Recordings" folder.

i suspect the next version of the ipod won't allow booting in to linux and/or this type of recording. enjoy it while you can.

with all the podcasting people out there apple should consider not crippling our ipods so we can all use ipods to record, apple could do this now with a simple software update... or i guess i can keep booting in to linux and never update this ipod or just buy a cheap recorder, bah.

Reader Comments

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21. I really think you need to add to your instructions that the recording hack ONLY works on 3G iPods - I tried this on a 1G 10Gb Mac formatted iPod and while the installer/uninstaller worked flawlessly I found that I couldn't record anything (the clock timer just wouldn't start). I'd love to know if anyone can get this implemented on the 1G iPod's - it would make putting up with the stupid penguin on boot up worth it, but in the meantime I've reverted to a clean Apple install.

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by edinburghmac

22. I can understand that some people don't want to read iPod hacks, but why leave a comment? Don't read the article! I love this tip and hope to get my 4G iPod booted in Lynux once the podzilla folks support the 4Gs. Great article PT!

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by Funtime Ben

23. I;ve installed this firmware into my iPod and all I can say is that after 30 minutes of scrutinizing it, I uninstalled it because I thought I didn't need a different OS on my iPOd that had a crappy playback. But I'm pretty doped about the development of this hack because it's free and it's cool.

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by jowchie

24. Wow, this is genius. Ignore everyone that says 'stop the hacks.' They dont have to use them if they dont want to, and I will XD

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by Alex

25. Damn, you'd think someone was forcing these whiners to read the iPod hacks at gun-point or something. It's simple guys, if it says "iPod Hack" and you aren't interested...move the fuck on. As for this hack...I love it. I have a 30Gb 3G iPod that now runs linux and lets me record...that's just too cool. Granted, it won't make the world a better place but it was fun to do. Looking forward to other hacks and any updates to this one. Cheers

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by Maelstrom65

26. Thanks for the feedback on restoring, mobilexile. I talked with the developer of the Mac OS X installer and he said he believed hardware limitations would inhibit stereo recording with 3G iPods.

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by Steve

27. even after i put the file on to my computer the file dosent even work

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by jack

28. Awesome iPod hacks! What's up with the lusers who don't like iPod hacks? This could really transform the way I use mine. It is a hack in every spirit of the world. You guys pwnz3r.

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by Chromal

29. Well *I* for one am not saying iPod hacks are inherently bad, it's just that a little diversity would be really nice....

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by Nils

30. Hey! Nice hack - works beautifully. Now, I will point out (since it is not clear from what I've read here so far) that what you will get is a mono 16-bit recording. I recorded through the headphone output (since there is no indication that it should be elsewhere) with a stereo cable and input. Does anyone know if it is possible to get it to record in stereo? Any hacks yet for level monitoring? My minidisk recorder is just about kaput, and I have high hopes for this as a small field recorder! Thanks!!

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by drehleierguy

31. steve : yes, i installed podzilla then went back to the default ipod. now i'm back to podzilla and i love it. though i do wish there weren't some of the audio issues...

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by mobilexile

32. So has anyone installed iPodLinux and then restored using the Apple restore software? The reason I ask is that I have a 3G iPod I might need to return to Apple and I would like to be able to return it without Linux on it to avoid warranty questions.

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by Steve

33. keep the hacks coming and ignore the flames :D who doesn't want them, doesn't have to take them! I haven't tried it yet, don't even know how to put Linux on there first *shame* but I'll try as soon as I have time. The Belkin VoiceRecorder was ambivalent, which equals quite disappointing, so far. Happy New Year!

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by San

34. The playback on the ipod skips and goes too fast. But when you copy the file back to a computer, it will play back correctly.

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by John

35. I got this to work on my iPod, I love it, 96kHz sampling rate simply sounds amazing, take advantage of it people. Even though this is great, I agree, there are a bit too many iPod hacks right now, but I guess it is a real hot-topic right now. Afterall every other person got one for the holidays.

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by liquidgui

36. So I installed it and all wet well and quickly. Tried recording, but a little confused, iPod asks to have "Action" button pressed to initiate recording but nothing seems to happen. Fooling around (my fav thing...) within this mode gives a display of time (00:00:00) but nothing happens. The "Playback" folder is really just the "File Browser" and furthermore I cannot find a "Recordings" under that normal OS. Anyone?

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by popeye cahn

37. This for me is the mother of all iPod hacks. I now not only have every song in my music library in my pocket but a kick ass field recorder with practically unlimited space. I can guarantee that I'll be making my podcast on the go now. Also do you guys have any idea what it is like to run a site that is supposed to deliver new, hot, and fresh hacks on a weekly basis? NO! Its not easy to keep on spitting out content for us. If you had an iPod (espically a 3G) you would be jumping for joy.

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by elemenoh

38. when i play back the files i recorded they are skipping and frezzing every time i was wondering if i was sapposta type in something becuse i just downloaded the linux thing installed it and every thing works exept the recording and some pictures

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by jack

39. The quality of hacks posted on this site has greatly improved. If they can only improve the variety, this site could be one of the big ones.

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by Jordie

40. actually theres a way of getting the creative to run on linux http://www.linux.ie/articles/tutorials/zen.php also i haven't had any freezing so far, either on my zen xtra(pretty sweet little piece of rig, apart from the non music file stuff) or my bro's jukebox 3, and this despite having 20 back up about 10 gigs of songs twice (backups, his jukebox has some issues with the audio out, creative swapped it out under warrenty, the first time and the second was to get music into my hdd the second time) The zen dosen't seem as hackable as the ipod though, prolly cause its not as famous. There does seem to be (rather inconsistant) blocking of some tracks on the newest file management clients, but these are mostly the useless demo tracks you get with the player and as for the anti ipod crowd- vote with your feet, or better yet, submit stuff! complaining and whining is NEVER the way to solve anything

Posted at 3:33PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by grey

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