How To Hijack Audio

Hijacking audio is the most basic operation in Audio Hijack Pro. When you hijack audio from a source, the audio flows through Audio Hijack Pro, then back out to the designated output (generally, your speakers). When audio is hijacked from a source, it can then be recorded for later listening or enhanced using DSP effects, as detailed in later tutorials.

Audio Hijack Pro can hijack from four different types of sources. Click below for help with:
Hijacking An Application
Hijacking An Audio Device
Hijacking An AM/FM Radio
Hijacking System Audio

Hijacking An Application
   Hijacking an application allows audio from a specific application, such as RealPlayer, to flow through Audio Hijack Pro. This is the first step to recording or enhancing audio from one application.

   Step 1) To begin, create a session in the Component list by clicking the + button. A session will now appear with the name "(No application selected)" and be highlighted, ready for editing.
   Step 2) In the Input tab, choose a target application in the Audio Source area. Click the "Select" menu to see a list of all running applications and select the application you wish to hijack. If the desired application isn't open, choose "Select Application..." and find it on your system. You may also drag and drop an application to the Audio Source area.
   Step 3) Once you have the application selected, just click the "Hijack" button. The "Hijack" button will then illuminate and the Recording controls will be available. AH Pro now has control of the targeted application's audio.

   When targeting an application, you may wish to have it open a specific file. This file might be an audio file such as an MP3, or it may be a bookmark for an internet radio station (see the Finding Stream URLs page for more information on internet bookmarks). The "Open URL/File/AppleScript" field allows you to pass off a specific URL location (by typing the URL or using an AppleScript) or file to the target application set above. This is especially useful for timed recordings. When the session is hijacked (either manually or automattically by a timer), AH Pro will launch the selected application and send it the specified file, which the application should then begin playing.

Hijacking An Audio Device
   Hijacking an Audio Device is useful for pulling audio from hardware such as record and tape players, as well as microphones.

   Step 1) To begin, create a session in the Component list by clicking the + button. A new session will now appear, highlighted, with the name "(No Application Selected)". It's ready for editing.
   Step 2) In the Input tab, adjust the Audio Source popup to "Audio Device", then set the desired input device from which to pull audio. You may also adjust the Output device if you desire. By default, the input will be played through the System's default output. Be careful to mute your speakers (with the "Mute" button) or use headphones to avoid a feedback loop.
   Step 3) Once you have the device set, just click the "Hijack" button. The "Hijack" button will then illuminate and the Recording controls will be available. AH Pro now has control of the audio coming from the Audio Device.

Hijacking An AM/FM Radio
   Hijacking an AM/FM Radio allows for custom control of radios such as Griffin's RadioShark and D-Link's DSB-R100, without additional software.

   Step 1) To begin, create a session in the Component list by clicking the + button. A session called "Untitled Session" will now appear and be highlighted, ready for editing.
   Step 2) In the Input tab, adjust the Audio Source popup to "AM/FM Radio", then select the desired radio device from which to pull audio. You may also adjust the Output device if you desire, and adjust the frequency to which the radio is tuned.
   Step 3) Once you have the radio set, just click the "Hijack" button. The "Hijack" button will then illuminate and the Recording controls will be available. AH Pro now has control of the audio coming from the radio.

Hijacking System Audio
   Hijacking System Audio allows all audio played through Mac OS X to be controlled by Audio Hijack Pro.

   Step 1) To begin, create a session in the Component list by clicking the + button. A session called "Untitled Session" will now appear and be highlighted, ready for editing.
   Step 2) In the Input tab, adjust the Audio Source popup to "System Audio".
   Step 3) When you're ready, click the "Hijack" button. The "Hijack" button will then illuminate and the Recording controls will be available. AH Pro now has control of all audio on your computer.