Audio Hijack Pro 2.8.3 Manual

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Audio Hijack Pro v2.8.3
www.rogueamoeba.com

Welcome!
   Audio Hijack Pro is the audio utility you always needed to record and enhance any audio! With Audio Hijack Pro, you can save audio output from any application, and use DSP effects to improve audio quality from any application. Recording to many audio formats, timed recording, alarms, and much more - Audio Hijack Pro does it all.

New in Audio Hijack Pro 2.8.3
◊ MegaMix mode has been improved for use with VoIP apps like Skype and iChat
◊ Fixed a rare issue with timers ending at midnight

Key New Features in Audio Hijack Pro 2
+ Brand-new User Interface
+ Now records to AAC and Apple Lossless formats (ALAC)
+ Recording Bin for file organization and previewing
+ Built-in CD burning
+ Silence Monitor
+ Expanded timers
+ Autolaunch and autowake ability
+ Integrated Audio Input Recording
+ ID3 Tags
+ Parallel effects processing
+ Over 35 new features!

Feature Overview
   Audio Hijack Pro drastically changes the way you use audio on your computer, giving you the freedom to listen to audio when you want and how you want. Record and enhance any audio with one easy-to-use tool - Audio Hijack Pro is the cornerstone of your digital audio experience.

Record Any Audio? I'm Not Sure I Understand
When we say "Record Any Audio", we mean it. With Audio Hijack Pro, you can record the audio output from any application. Save internet streams, Flash audio, DVD clips, and much more.

Not All Applications Are Created Equal
Add an Equalizer to any application to create the perfect movie watching environment.

Tweaking, That's A Technical Term
Tweak even low quality Real and Windows Media audio files to perfection with your own combination of DSP plugins, including professional quality VST and AudioUnit plugins.

Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Gain
Increase the volume of any application, such as your music player, above all your other applications via the Double Gain plugin.

The British Are Coming!
Record BBC streams (or any other Internet radio) to MP3 format and listen to those sexy accents on the commute to work.

No More Muddy Waters (Unless That's What You Want)
Use Green Oak's Excitifier VST plugin (included) to "un-muddy" music by adding the upper harmonics back.

I Can See The Music, Man!
Monitor your audio levels with the Level meters, VU meters, Menu Bar Meters or third party meter plugings.

Live It Up
Turn on the effects like Reverb and AUDelay, creating a live sound to make your favorite artists sing just for you! Barry White is practically in your bedroom.

Karaoke Is A Cult
Sing along to your favorite music videos using the Karaoke plugin!

Bone-Rattling Frags
Add bass to your game sounds for a life-like rumble. Feel your enemies approaching from behind or revel in their ground-shaking death!

System Requirements
• A Macintosh computer
• OS X 10.4 or higher

Installation And Removal
To install Audio Hijack Pro, just drag it from your download folder to your Applications folder, or wherever you'd like to keep it.

To remove Audio Hijack Pro, simply place it in the Trash. If you've installed any of the extra components, you may wish to uninstall them first using the Install Extras menu item in the Audio Hijack Pro menu.

Purchasing
We provide a free trial of Audio Hijack Pro for you to test. In its trial state, noise is overlaid on all hijackings longer than 10 minutes. The full version of Audio Hijack Pro can be unlocked with a license key purchased from our online store.

When you're ready, head over to http://www.rogueamoeba.com/store/ to purchase Audio Hijack Pro for just $32, through our online store at: http://www.rogueamoeba.com/store/

Contact
   Web: http://www.rogueamoeba.com/
   Support: http://www.rogueamoeba.com/support/
   E-Mail: audiohijackpro@rogueamoeba.com
   Purchase: http://www.rogueamoeba.com/store/


Audio Hijack Pro is Copyright ©2003-2008, Rogue Amoeba Software, LLC

Tutorials

This section of the Help will aid you in getting started with Audio Hijack Pro. The easiest way to do this is to give simple walkthroughs of how to use Audio Hijack Pro's basic features, so that's just what we've done. Click on one of the sub-sections to the left to jump to your desired tutorial.

Hijacking - The most basic operation in Audio Hijack Pro, hijacking simply allows AH Pro to control audio from a source.

Recording - Once a source is hijacked, you can record the audio from it.

Effects - Once a source is hijacked, you can filter its audio using DSP Effect plugins.

Timers - Not going to be around tonight? Tell Audio Hijack Pro what to hijack, what to do with the audio, and when to do it.

Recording A Stream - A tutorial featuring every step needed to record a streaming radio program with Audio Hijack.

Hijacking The RadioShark - Audio Hijack Pro can hijack and record from Griffin's RadioShark as well as D-Link's DSB-R100.

Hijacking System Audio - New in version 2.5, Audio Hijack Pro can now be used to grab all audio being played through your Mac at one time.

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.

How To Record With Audio Hijack Pro

Quick Overview

  1. Open Audio Hijack Pro and hijack the desired session (See Hijacking for more information).
  2. Open the Recording Tab of this session and adjust the settings as desired.
  3. Click the Record button. If it lights and no error message appears in the status line, you are now recording audio to the specified location on your hard drive!
  4. Click Record again to end the recording. Load the file in your favorite audio player and enjoy!

   Once you have a session hijacked, you can easily record the audio coming from the source. You'll want to adjust the Recordings tab to your desired settings, and then click the Record button. Once Record is active, AH Pro will record all audio coming from the source. The Pause button will stop AH Pro from recording the audio without creating a new file, useful for skipping portions of a program you don't wish to save. The Split button seamlessly starts a new file, which is great for separating a recording into tracks. Finally, clicking Record again ends the recording.

Adjusting Recording Settings
   First, adjust the Format pulldown for the audio format in which you'd like to record. MP3 Low or AAC Low will work for most spoken word audio, and MP3 High or AAC High will work for music. If you plan to burn directly to CD, if you experience skipping or if you'd like a perfect, bit-by-bit copy of the audio, use the AIFF setting. Be aware that this will create a very large file.

   After you've chosen your recording format, adjust the other settings as desired. These settings are fairly straightforward - adjust the destination, the file name, and the post-processing script (if any). The file name setting will allow you to use the Variables popup to name the recorded files. For example, the example in the screenshot of "%n Recording (%d)" results in a file named "RealOne Recording (20040728)".

   The Actions area allows you to have AH Pro take certain actions. You can have it start a new file every so often (it will automatically split all files after 2 gigs), stop recording after a set amount of time or disk space, and use the Silence Monitor to have silence removed from files or split when silence occurs.

   Finally, the Tags section allows you to add information tags to MP3, AAC, ALAC and AIFF files.

How To Use DSP Effects With A Hijacking

Quick Overview

  1. Open Audio Hijack Pro and hijack the desired application (See "Hijacking" for more information).
  2. Click the Effects Tab. Click on a grid square and choose a DSP Plugin from the popup menu.
  3. Edit the Plugins settings in the Editor window. Changes to audio take effect immediately.

   Digital Signal Processing (DSP) effects can be applied to any hijackings, including timed hijackings (See "Using Timers"). DSP effects will be applied to both audio coming out the speakers and to a recorded audio file. Setting up Effects is very simple, although some plugins themselves are rather complex. The grid, seen above, is read in the order of the green wire, from left to right. When the wire splits, effects are applied in parallel, and when they merge the audio is mixed and further plugins are processed in series. Empty grid spaces are skipped, and plugins can be dragged and dropped around the grid at any time to change their order. When using large numbers of plugins, the Navigator will be helpful in moving about the grid. Just click anywhere on the Navigator to move to that location, or drag the Navigator box around the map to move the focus of the grid. It shows the location of active plugins in green and bypassed (inactive) plugins in black.

For more information on specific effects, see the Effects Appendix

Inserting An Effect
   To insert an effect, go to the Effects tab. You will see a portion of the DSP grid, as well as the grid Navigator, Master Gain Slider, Dry/Wet Slider and Level meters on the left side. Simply click in the first square of the grid and choose the desired effect from the pop-up menu. The plugin will be inserted into the grid and its editor window will automatically open. Configure the plugin as desired and close the editor. Now all audio played through AH Pro will be piped through this effect.

   On the plugin graphic itself, you will see two knobs, two buttons, and an information bar displaying the indicator light and plugin name. The knobs affect the Gain of audio before it hits this filter ('In') and after ('Out'). In most cases, you will want to leave them set at the mid-point. If you accidently move a knob and wish to reset it, simply double click anywhere on the knob. The 'Editor' button brings up the aforementioned editor window, allowing you to change the plugin's settings. The Bypass button leaves the plugin and its settings intact, but causes AH Pro to skip over it. This is useful for testing exactly how a particular filter is affecting the audio.

Removing An Effect
   To remove a plugin, just click the arrows in that plugin's information bar and select None. Alternately, you can highlight the plugin by clicking it and pressing the Delete key on your keyboard.

Installing Plugins
   AH Pro looks for VST plugins in "~/Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST" and "/Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST", for AudioUnit plugins in "~/Library/Audio/Plug-ins/Components" and "/Library/Audio/Plug-ins/Components", and for LADSPA plugins in "~/Library/Audio/Plug-ins/LADSPA" and "/Library/Audio/Plug-ins/LADSPA". To install a new plugin, simply place it in one of these locations, and AH Pro will detect it on the next launch.

How To Configure A Timer

Quick Overview

  1. Open Audio Hijack Pro and set up the Session you wish to hijack in the Input Tab.
  2. Create a Timer by clicking the + button under the Timers table. Set up the date or days and time(s) when the Timer should run. If you wish to record, turn on the Record checkbox. If you want AH Pro to mute output at the time of hijacking, turn on the Mute checkbox. If you want AH Pro to quit the target application when the timer finishes, turn on the Quit Source checkbox.
  3. Click the On checkbox in the Timers table, and check the Description column to be sure the Timer is set correctly. Now when the set time arrives, Audio Hijack Pro will launch the source application and pull audio from it.

   You can use a timer in an AH Pro Preset to hijack an application at a specified time and for a specified interval. This can be useful for turning any application into an alarm clock, or for the timed recording of Internet radio streams. You will set up a Session similar to how we did it in the "Hijacking" section. It is likely you will wish to target a file, as most applications do not automatically begin playing audio when launched.

Timed Recordings
   Timed recordings allow you to use Audio Hijack Pro just like a VCR. You will most likely wish to record an internet stream, so you'll need a bookmark file for that stream. These bookmark files tell the target application exactly what stream to open. For more information on bookmark files and setting up Timed Recordings, see the Finding Stream URLs page in the Advanced Topics section.

Creating An Alarm Clock
   For a simple alarm clock, drag an audio file to the Audio Hijack Pro Source list - this will create a new Session, targeting the appropriate application and that file. Once the AH Pro Target is properly set, adjust the Timer controls. Create a new Timer by clicking the + button below the Timers table, then set the date or day(s) it will run. Next, set the Start and End times for the hijacking. For a basic alarm clock, just set the End Time an hour after the Start Time. You should now be all set and the Description column should show when the Timer will fire.

Recording A Stream

   One of the most common uses for Audio Hijack Pro is recording streaming audio, particularly with timed recording. We provide tutorials for Hijacking and Timers, but we'll outline the exact steps needed to record a specific program. Here, we'll be recording an archived episode of A Prairie Home Companion. These instructions can be adjusted slightly to record just about any streamed content, both archived and live.

   First things first, we need to launch Audio Hijack Pro. Once that's done, we'll create a new session by clicking the [+] button at the bottom of the Components List. Then, in the Input pane on the right, we'll set the Source Application to RealPlayer, which will be playing our audio stream.

   Next, we need to set the URL or file that the session will pass off to RealPlayer when it runs. In this case, we'll be recording the January 6, 2007 episode, available from this page. On that page, is a link to "Listen to the whole show", which contains the URL we need. Holding the control key and clicking on this link allows us to choose the Copy Link option in Safari. We've now copied the URL that Audio Hijack Pro needs (http://www.publicradio.org/tools/media/player/phc/2007/01/06_phc) to our clipboard. This is what we'll paste into the Open URL/File field of our session. For full details on finding a stream's URL, see the Finding Stream URLs page of the manual.

   As it's set now, when we click Hijack, the desired stream will be passed to RealPlayer, which will then play the audio so we can record it. However, we'd like to use a timer here, so we don't need to be in front of the machine to record. So, we need to create a timer in the Schedule area. For this program, as it is an archived episode that can be played at any time, we can record at any time. So, we'll choose 2:00 am to 4:00 am (for a two hour show) tomorrow, Thursday, when no one will be around. We'll also turn on the Record, Mute, and Quit Source checkboxes.

   Once that's set, we're done! Audio Hijack Pro will wake the machine at 2 am, launch, and open up RealPlayer to the specified stream. RealPlayer will play the stream, and Audio Hijack Pro will record it. At 4 am, the stream and hijacking will finish, RealPlayer will quit, and when we come back to the machine, there will be a recording waiting for us in the Recording Bin. Now we can burn it to CD, drop it on an iPod, or listen to it in iTunes.

Quick Review
   Let's do a quick review of all that is necessary to record this stream in Audio Hijack Pro.

  1. Open Audio Hijack Pro and set up a Session (see Hijacking), targeting RealPlayer as the source.
  2. Enter the address of the stream you wish to record, (see Finding Stream URLs) in the Open URL/File/AppleScript area.
  3. Enable a timer in the Schedule area. Set up the days and times when the Timer should run, and be sure to turn on the Record checkbox. You'll also likely want local output muted when the recording is made, so turn on the Mute checkbox. That's it!
Working With The RadioShark

   The Griffin RadioShark is an AM/FM radio that attaches to your computer via USB. Once you have it set up, you can play the radio through your Mac, and even record it. Many users wanted more powerful recording options for the RadioShark, so Audio Hijack Pro now supports direct interaction with the device.

   Hijacking and recording from the RadioShark is quick and easy. The following instructions should get you going. These will also apply to the D-Link DSB-R100, with a few minor adjustments.

   Step 1) Create a new session, and set the source selector to AM/FM Radio.
   Step 2) Select the RadioSHARK in the Radio Device area. You can also adjust the audio output, which automatically uses the system's current default.
   Step 3) Adjust the radio settings, including the band (AM or FM) and the frequency. Click Hijack, and the audio will flow from the radio, through Audio Hijack Pro, and out your speakers.

Once you've got this set, you can create timers to record programs or just listen live. Create a session for each radio frequency you use, and you can record dozens of AM or FM programs with Audio Hijack Pro.

Hijacking System Audio

   New in Audio Hijack Pro 2.5 is the System Audio source. This enables Audio Hijack Pro to optionally capture all audio coming through speakers, instead of just one application's audio. While capturing audio on an application-level is recommended for most cases, capturing System Audio may be useful in some instances.

Initial Setup
   The first time you use the System Audio component, you may need to install SoundFlower. To do this, create a new session and set the source selector to System Audio. Now click the Install button in the pane, and the SoundFlower installer will open.
   Once SoundFlower is installed, the following steps will allow you to hijack and record System Audio.

   Step 1) Create a new session, and set the source selector to System Audio.
   Step 2) Click Hijack, and all audio will flow through Audio Hijack Pro, and then out your speakers. That's it.

Once you've got this set, you can create adjust or record any and all audio on your machine.

Notes
   Some applications have their own audio outputs. You'll need to set these to output to SoundFlower as well, in order for AH Pro to pick it up.
   Some applications will need to be relaunched to properly play their audio through the required output. If audio isn't being pulled in through Audio Hijack Pro, first try relaunch the application playing the audio.

Audio Hijack Pro Interfaces

   This section of the Help gives details on what each area of the Audio Hijack Pro interface does. Click on one of the sub-sections to jump to the specified page.

Controls & Components List - The basic control area of Audio Hijack Pro, listing sections like the Recording Bin as well as all available Sessions.

Session Setup - The four Session Setup tabs allow you to adjust all settings relevant to an audio recording or adjustment.
      Input Setup - The Input tab adjusts settings relating to the source of audio for Audio Hijack Pro.
      Recording Setup - The Recording tab adjusts settings relating to recording of audio passing through Audio Hijack Pro.
       Tags Setup - The Tags tab adjusts tags for files recorded with Audio Hijack Pro.
      Effects Setup - The Effects tab allows the adjustment of Effects plugins, to tweak audio that passes through Audio Hijack Pro.

Recording Bin - The Recording Bin is used for organizing and post-processing recorded files.

Quick Record - Quick Record is used for making simple recordings with no fuss.

Dock Icon - The Audio Hijack Pro Dock icon contains several useful indicator badges.

Disk Status - The Disk Status window displays the space left on each attached volume.

Menu Reference - Explains what each and every menu item does in obsessive, boring detail.

Control Area

Hijacking Controls
Hijack - Alternately takes and releases control of the source audio for the selected Session.
Mute - Mutes audio coming through AH Pro, without affecting it. Useful for recording something you don't wish to listen to at the moment.
Level Meters - These meters show activity when audio is passed through AH Pro.
Hijacking Status Line - This line indicates the hijacking status of the current Session, or shows errors when a problem occurs.

Recording Controls
Record - Toggles the recording status of hijacked audio, and also starts hijacking if a Session is not currently hijacked. Recordings use the settings specified in the Recording tab.
Pause - Halts recording without ending file creation. Click again to unpause and continue recording to the same file. Useful for on-the-fly editing of recordings and removal of undesired content.
Split - Instantly and seamlessly creates a new audio file, ending the first file.
Recording Status Line - This line indicates the recording status of the current Session, or shows errors when a problem occurs.

Component List

   The Component List selection adjusts the content view on the right side of the main window. From here you can access the Recording Bin, the Quick Record feature, and any Sessions you've created, which are sorted alphabetically. You can also create, delete, and edit Sessions with the buttons at the bottom.

Recording Bin
   The Recording Bin stores all files recorded with Audio Hijack Pro. Use it to sort recordings, preview them, burn them or delete them. For more information, see the Recording Bin page of this manual.

Quick Record
   The Quick Record section allows for fast recording of any input, with just a few settings to be made. Use it for quick recordings that you don't need to customize greatly. For more, see the Quick Record page of this manual.

Sessions
   The Sessions section allows access to any saved sessions, which can be used repeatedly. Icons to the left of the session name indicate what application or audio source is currently targeted by the session, while status icons to the right provide information such as hijacking and recording status. In our screenshot, the "Microphone Input" Session is being hijacked (the white wave icon) and recorded (the red recording icon). Meanwhile, the "RealPlayer" Session has a Timer turned on which will trigger a hijacking later.

Source List Buttons

+ - Create a new session

- - Remove the highlighted session

Gear Button

   New Session - Creates a new session in the Component List

   Duplicate - Creates a duplicate of the highlighted session in the Component List

   Rename... - Allows renaming of the currently selected session

   Delete... - Removes the currently selected session

Input Tab

The Input tab of a session is where you'll set the audio source and other basic settings. This will generally be the application from which you wish to pull audio, but it can also be an audio device, an AM/FM radio, or even the entire System.

Source
Source Type selector - This allows you to set the source from among four different input types.

     1) Application: Choose this to pull audio from a single application, such as RealPlayer or Windows Media Player.
     2) Audio Device: Choose this to pull audio from a physical audio device, such as a microphone or a record player attached to the computer audio input. Any device recognized in OS X's Sound System Preference will appear here, as well as the "Silence Input" and "Silence Output" options. Silence Input allows silence to be sent through Audio Hijack Pro, for use with the Application Mixer plugin as well as VST Synth plugins, while Silence Output is useful for Recording Voice Chat.
     3) AM/FM Radio: Choose this to pull audio from supported AM/FM radios, including Griffin's RadioShark and D-Link's DSB-R100. As this is a specialized type of Audio Device, specific radio controls are provided.
     4) System Audio: Choose this to hijack all audio playing through your system's speakers.

Select menu - When the "Source Type" selector is set to Application, this provides a list of currently open applications, as well as a "Select Application..." to choose non-open applications. When the "Source Type" selector is set to Audio Device, this lists all available input devices, as determined by OS X.

Open URL/File/AppleScript field - When the "Source Type" selector is set to Application, this will allow you to feed a URL, bookmark file, or AppleScript to the Source application set above. This is very useful for opening a stream for timed recording.
   Select menu - This Select menu provides access to the Bookmark Slurper, which pulls bookmarks from common applications like Safari, RealPlayer, and Windows Media Player for easy hijacking. It will also allow you to select a bookmark file (such as a .ram file) or an AppleScript.

Advanced... - The Advanced button provides access to advanced options for each source type. Generally, these should be left in their default states.



When used with a standard Application as the source, the following settings will be available from the Advanced window.

Hijack One Audio Stream (Default)
This is the default option for most applications, and is what should be used unless you are experiencing problems obtaining all audio from an application.

Stream Index: Adjusting the Stream Index may allow you to receive audio from applications which output audio in a non-standard way.
Target Device: This allows you to select the specific device with which the source is associated.
Left Channel: For devices with more than two channels, you can select the channel which will serve as the left.
Right Channel: For devices with more than two channels, you can select the channel which will serve as the right.

Hijack All Audio Streams (MegaMix)
This option grabs all audio from an application, even audio which may not be audible. This is useful for recording conversations from chat applications and is the default mode for new sessions pulling audio from Skype, iChat, and Gizmo Project.

Separate Inputs and Outputs By Channel: This option places audio from inputs on the left channel and audio from outputs on the right channel. This will enable you to split audio from audio chat conversations by channel.

Fill Audio Gaps: Adjust this to send no information when the Source provides no data with the Nothing option. Alternately, fill gaps in the audio with Silence, Light Noise, or Heavy Noise to it. By default, no audio is added and gaps (such as those that occur when a stream rebuffers) are simply skipped.

When used with an Audio Device as the source, the following settings will be available from the Advanced window.

Input Device Settings
Device: Displays the device name selected in the main window for the input.
Left Channel: For devices with more than two channels, select the channel which will serve as the left.
Right Channel: For devices with more than two channels, select the channel which will serve as the right.
Buffering: Adjusts the size of the audio buffer for the input, in frames. A larger buffer is less prone to skipping but has higher latency (delay), while a smaller buffer has lower latency but may be more prone to skipping. This is best left at Default to start.

Output Device Settings
Device: Displays the device name selected in the main window for the output.
Left Channel: For devices with more than two channels, select the channel which will serve as the left.
Right Channel: For devices with more than two channels, select the channel which will serve as the right.
Buffering: Adjusts the size of the audio buffer for the output, in frames. A larger buffer is less prone to skipping but has higher latency (delay), while a smaller buffer has lower latency but may be more prone to skipping. This is best left at Default to start.

Schedule
Timers table - This table contains a list of all active timers for this particular session. The "On" column allows you to deactivate timers without deleting them. The "Next" column shows when the timer will next be triggered. The "Description" column gives more detail on when it will run and for how long.
Every/On menu - This menu allows you to determine what type of timer is being created. If the timer is set to "Every", it will recur on the days selected. If it is set to "On", it will fire just once.
Day/Date selector - If the "Every/On" menu is set to "Every", you can set the days of the week on which the timer will be triggered. If it is set to "On", you can select the exact date the timer will be triggered.
From, To - These fields adjust at what time the timer will be triggered, and at what time it will end.
Record - Enables automatic recording of the audio when hijacking, using the current settings from the Recording tab.
Mute - Mutes output from the Source application while the timer is active. Useful for nighttime timed recordings.
Quit Source - Quits the Source application when the timer ends.
+ - Add a new timer.
- - Remove the highlighted timer(s).

Recording Tab

The Recording tab of a session is where you'll set the options for recording audio from your source. Preset recording formats are provided for common uses, or you can set a custom format. As well, you'll be able to set the recording's destination and more right here.

Format The "Format" popup allows you to select the audio format Audio Hijack Pro will record in. Audio Hijack Pro records to AIFF, AAC, Apple Lossless, and MP3, and several default settings are given. Using the "Custom..." menu option, you can also set a custom recording format.

Files
Save recordings to: - This field shows the location to where recordings will be saved. Use the "Select" button to adjust this.
Name recordings with: - This field allows you to adjust the name of the recorded file, as seen in the Finder. Enter text or select from the "Variables" menu. These variables are all fairly self-explanatory, with "Name" (%name) coming from the session's name in the Component list, and the tag_* variables being affected by the Tags field (see the Tags tab page).
When finished recording: - This field displays what will occur when a file finishes recording (either by splitting or ending recording all together). Default scripts may be selected from the "Scripts" popup menu, and other scripts can be chosen with the "Select Other Script" option.

Actions
Start a new file every: - Turning this checkbox on and adjusting the "Number" field and "Type" popup will cause the file to split as set. Set it to split based on file size, or time. When the checkbox is off, all files default to splitting at 2 gigabytes or 24 hours.
Stop recording after: - Turning this checkbox on and adjusting the "Number" field and "Type" popup will cause the recording to stop as set. Set it to stop based on file size, or time. When the checkbox is off, recording will not stop automatically, unless a timer is being used.
Silence Monitor: - The "Silence Monitor" can be used to remove audio from recordings, to split a recording, or to stop recording entirely, when the audio level falls below a certain level. Use the preset options, or set your own. Analog settings should be used for line input recording, and Digital settings should be used for software recordings.

To properly set the level in the Silence Monitor's custom setting, play your source through Audio Hijack Pro once and turn on the meters in the Effects tab to "Out RMS". Then read the value off the meters, and plug it into the dB field.

Tags Tabs

The Tags tab is where identifying tags can be adjusted for recordings. These tags, such as Title and Artist, will then be shown in iTunes and other audio players with the file. Tags will insert information into recorded files, for easy identification and categorization within other audio players such as iTunes. These tags should be fairly self-explanatory.

Please note, you need to adjust these Tags before a recording is made, as they are written into the header when the file is first created.

Variables
   All the Tags fields support the use of variablesFor example, if you use the %date variable in the Title, your recording's Title track will include 20060731. This can be very useful for sorting recordings after the fact. In addition to the variables including in the pop-up lists, all the variables found here are supported. To use these variables, place "frmt_" in front of the variable. For example, instead of entering %a, type %frmt_a.

Effects Tabs

The Effects tab is where audio effects can be applied to a session. The average user may not often or ever use this tab, but if you wish to adjust the audio (add an Equalizer, for example), this is the place to do it.


Navigator - Controls location of the focus on the patch window.
Master Gain - The Master Gain is applied after all effects. Mute will fully mute the audio, and Full will place the gain at 100%, which is halfway up the slider. Setting it to the left of Full will lower the gain, while setting it to the right of the Full point overdrives the volume (up to 200%), which will increase the gain but may also lead to distortion.
Dry/Wet Mix - This slider controls how much the plugins affect the audio mix being hijacked. When set all the way to Dry, only the original audio source (before effects are added) is used. As it moves towards Wet, the effects are applied more fully.
Levels - Show the audio levels of audio coming in (In Peak and In RMS) or out (Out Peak and Out RMS). The Clip lights show when the signal's peak value exceeds 0db - above this, distortion will occur. Disable the level meters to save CPU.

Patch Area - The 10x10 grid for adding DSP effects. Simply click a grid space and select an item from the pop-up to insert the effect. Drag and drop to re-arrange. The grid is read left to right and top to bottom.
Plugins - Each plugin has its own editor window, with settings specific to that plugin. For more information, see the "Effects" tutorial for more.
Saving and Opening Patches - AH Pro supports patches, which are groups of Effects plugins and settings. When you have a set of filters which you'd like to apply to other presets, choose "Export Effects Patch..." from the Control menu. To load a saved patch file, choose "Import Effects Patch..." from the Control menu.
Recording Bin

   The Recording Bin is designed to help organize recorded files. From here, you can preview recordings, send them to iTunes, burn them, and more. The various columns show tag information for files, and the visible columns can be adjusted with the small |...| button in the upper right of the table.

Preview - Play the selected file(s). Press again to stop playback.

Reveal - Reveals the selected file(s) in the Finder.
iTunes - Opens the selected file(s) in iTunes.
Editor - Opens the selected file(s) in the audio editor set in Preferences.
Burn - Brings up the burning dialog, to burn the selected file(s) to CD.
Process - Apply an AppleScript or Automator Workflow to the selected file(s).

Trash - Removes the selected file(s) from the Recording Bin list (Remove From Bin) or places them in the Trash (Move To Trash).

Quick Record

   The Quick Record feature allows for fast hijacking and recording, by adjusting only a few settings. This is useful for quickly recording a sound clip or microphone input. All these controls are replicated from a full session's input tab.

Control Area

Hijacking Controls
Hijack - Alternately takes and releases control of the source application.
Mute - Mutes audio coming through AH Pro, without affecting it. Useful for recording something you don't wish to listen to at the moment.
Level Meters - These meters show activity when audio is passed through AH Pro.
Hijacking Status Line - This line indicates the hijacking status of the current Session, or shows errors when a problem occurs.

Recording Controls
Record - Toggles the recording status of hijacked audio, and also starts hijacking if a Session is not currently hijacked. Recordings use the settings specified in the "Recording" tab.
Pause - Halts recording without ending the file. Click again to unpause and continue recording to the same file. Useful for on-the-fly editing of recordings and removal of undesired content.
Split - Instantly creates a new audio file, with no gap between files.
Recording Status Line - This line indicates the recording status of the current Session, or shows errors when a problem occurs.

Input Area

Source Type selector - This allows you to set the source to an Application, for software recording, an Audio Device, for recording from hardware input, an AM/FM Radio, or all System Audio.
Select menu - When the "Source Type" selector is set to Application, this provides a list of currently open applications, as well as a "Select Application..." to choose non-open applications. When the "Source Type" selector is set to Audio Device, this lists all available input devices, as determined by OS X.

Recording Area

Format The "Format" popup allows you to select the audio format AUdio Hijack Pro will record in. Audio Hijack Pro records to AIFF, AAC, Apple Lossless, and MP3, and several default settings are given. Using the "Custom..." menu option, you can also set a custom recording format.

Save recordings to: - This field shows the location to where recordings will be saved. Use the "Select" button to adjust this.

Effects Area

Navigator - Controls location of the focus on the patch window.
Master Gain - The Master Gain is applied after all effects. Mute will fully mute the audio, and Full will leave the gain at 100%. Setting it in-between will lower the output volume.
Patch Area - The 8x8 grid for adding DSP effects. Simply click a grid space and select an item from the pop-up to insert the effect. Drag and drop to re-arrange. The grid is read left to right and top to bottom.
Plugins - Each plugin has its own editor window, with settings specific to that plugin. For more information, see the "Effects" tutorial for more.
Saving and Opening Patches - AH Pro supports patches, which are groups of Effects plugins and settings. When you have a set of filters which you'd like to apply to other presets, choose "Export Effects Patch..." from the Control menu. To load a saved patch file, choose "Import Effects Patch..." from the Control menu.
Dock Icon

Standard icon in dock

   The Audio Hijack Pro Dock icon has 4 different states, each indicating different things regarding Audio Hijack Pro's activity. Seen above is the standard Audio Hijack Pro icon. Below are explanations for each of the other three badges.

Hijacking badge

Hijacking icon in dockThis badge indicates that one or more sessions are currently being hijacked. This will be displayed when you're hijacking, but not recording, as may occur when you're adding Effects to audio. Look in Audio Hijack Pro's Components List for the Hijack Status Icon Hijack icon next to the actively hijacking sessions.

Recording Badge

Recording icon in dockThis badge indicates that one or more sessions are actively recording audio from a source. Look in Audio Hijack Pro's Components List for the Hijack Record Icon Record icon next to the actively recording sessions.

Timer Badge

Timer icon in dockThis badge indicates that one or more sessions have a timer that will run in the future. Look in Audio Hijack Pro's Components List for the Hijack Status Icon Timer icon next to the sessions with timers set. You can also use the View Timers in iCal option found in the AppleScript Icon AppleScript Menu to create a calendar of Audio Hijack Pro timers.
Disk Status

   The Disk Status window shows available space on all volumes attached to your computer. By adjusting the Time Left menu, you can see how much recording space you have at various bit-rates.

Table Headers

Volume - Displays a list of volumes attached to your computer.
Space Left - Displays the available space on each volume as a percentage and in raw space.
Time Left @ <Bitrate> - Displays the amount of recording time for each volume at the selected bitrate. Adjust the bitrate in the header to the desired bitrate to determine how much recording time is available.

Note: Volumes which appear in red are running extremely low on space (below 50 MB), and Audio Hijack Pro will not start recordings to these volumes. You'll need to select a different volume in your Session's Recording tab or clear space on the volume.
Menu Reference

   The following is a list of the relevant menu items in Audio Hijack Pro including a short description of each item's function.

Audio Hijack Pro Menu
About Audio Hijack Pro - Shows Audio Hijack Pro credits
About Plugins - Shows information on installed plugins
About Audio Devices - Opens Audio MIDI Setup, OS X's audio device management application
Check For Update - Checks via the Internet for updates to Audio Hijack Pro

Preferences... - Opens Audio Hijack Pro's Preferences window
Registration... - Opens Audio Hijack Pro's Registration window
Install Extras... - Allows for the installation of additional components for Audio Hijack Pro

Hide Audio Hijack Pro - Conceals all of Audio Hijack Pro's windows
Hide Others - Conceals all other applications
Show All - Reveals all other applications

Quit Audio Hijack Pro - Quits Audio Hijack Pro

Session Menu
New - Creates a new session
New with Bookmark... - Creates a new session from a bookmark found inside of a specific app (Safari, RealPlayer, and Windows Media Player).
New from File... - Allows you to target a specific file in a new session.

Duplicate - Duplicates the highlighted session in the Source List
Rename - Enables editing of the name of the highlighted session in the Source List
Delete - Deletes the highlighted session in the Source List

Control Menu
Hijack - Toggles the recording state of the uppermost Presets Editor window
Mute - Mutes the audio of the uppermost Presets Editor window

Record - Mutes the audio of the foremost Presets Editor window
Pause Recording - Pauses recording of the selected session
Split Recording - Splits recording of the foremost Presets Editor window

Clear All Effects - Clears all DSP effects from the foremost Presets Editor window
Import Effects Patch... - Opens a saved patch file from the Effects area of the selected session
Export Effects Patch... - Creates a new patch file from the Effects area of the selected session

Recording Bin Menu
Preview - Plays the selected files
Reveal In Finder - Reveals the selected files in the Finder
Open In Editor - Opens the selected files in the editor selected in the Preferences
Open In iTunes - Opens the selected files in iTunes
Burn - Burn the selected files to CD

Remove From Bin - Removes the selected file(s) from the Recording Bin
Move To Trash - Moves the selected file(s) to the Trash

Window Menu
Close Window - Closes the foremost window
Minimize Window - Minimizes the foremost window to the Dock

Bring All To Front - Brings all Audio Hijack Pro windows forward

Audio Hijack Pro - Opens the main Audio Hijack Pro window
   Recording Bin - Opens the main Audio Hijack Pro window to the Recording Bin component
   Quick Record - Opens the main Audio Hijack Pro window to the Quick Record component
Disk Status - Opens the Disk Status window

AppleScript Menu

This menu contains AppleScripts to extend Audio Hijack Pro's functionality. To run a script, select it in the menu. The "View timers in iCal" script exports all timers to iCal for viewing.

Help Menu

Audio Hijack Pro Manual - Opens this help window
Contact Support... - Takes you to our online Support Center

Visit RogueAmoeba.com... - Takes you to our homepage

Purchase Audio Hijack Pro - Opens the Rogue Amoeba Store to purchase Audio Hijack Pro
Preferences

Audio Hijack Pro's preferences are accessible from the Audio Hijack Pro menu or by pressing Command-, on the keyboard. These preferences are fairly simple, and explained below.

General
   Buffer Size - Choose from three buffer sizes. Smaller buffers are generally better, but if you experience skipping you should increase the buffer size.
   Minimize To Menu Bar - When active on OS X 10.4, Audio Hijack Pro will be minimized to the Menu Bar instead of the Dock. Option-clicking the minimize button reverses this behavior.

Recording Bin
   Burning gap between tracks - This option sets the gap between tracks when burning a CD from the Recording Bin.
   Audio Editor - This adjusts to what application Audio Hijack Pro sends a file when the Editor button is pressed in the Recording Bin.

Quick Record
   Hijack Hotkey - Once this Hotkey is set, pressing it will cause Audio Hijack Pro to hijack the foreground application (using the Quick Record section). If it is already hijacked, Audio Hijack Pro will release it.
   Record Hotkey - Once this Hotkey is set, pressing it will hijack the foreground application and start recording from it (using the Quick Record section).
   Note: These hotkeys work best when using Instant Hijack (see the Install Extras window, accessible from the Audio Hijack Pro menu). Without Instant Hijack, you'll need to relaunch the target application when using the hotkeys.

Software Update
   Automatically Check For Updates - Optionally turn off the version checking in Audio Hijack Pro. It's recommended that this be left on.

Hidden Features

Audio Hijack Pro has a great many features, some of which can be a bit difficult to find. Read this over for some of the lesser-known features of AH Pro.

Extras
We have several additional components for Audio Hijack Pro, available in the Extras window. To access this window, choose Install Extras... from the Audio Hijack Pro menu.

Hijacking Multiple Applications
Some users may not be aware that Audio Hijack Pro can hijack multiple applications at one time. This enables you to hijack and record from, for example, RealPlayer and Safari at the same time. Two separate files will be created, one for each application. All you need to do is hijack a second session, just as you did with the first. The Input Tab controls are specific to each Session.

Hijacking Hidden Applications
Audio Hijack Pro can target faceless applications, but they don't show up in the ordinary Source Application selector menu. To view these hidden applications, hold down the option key as you press the Select menu in the "Source" area

Variables In Recording Tags
You may already know the "Name recordings with" field, as well as all the Tags fields, variables can be used. A pop-up list appears in each field where variables may be used. For example, if you use the %date variable in the Title, your recording's Title track will include 20050428. But in addition to the variables including in the pop-up lists, all the variables found here are supported. To use these variables, place "frmt_" in front of the variable. For example, instead of entering %a, type %frmt_a. Enjoy!

Minimize Behavior
By default, Audio Hijack Pro will minimize to the Dock. By adjusting the Preferences, Audio Hijack Pro can be made to minimize to the Menu Bar. To reverse the currently-set behavior, hold down option when minimizing.

Debugging

The Debugging dialog can be accessed by holding down the option key as Audio Hijack Pro launches. If a problem occurs, these debugging options may show what's wrong.

Importing/Exporting Sessions
Sessions are stored in a file called "SessionList.plist", located in the ~/Library/Application Support/Audio Hijack Pro folder. This file can be placed in the same location on a new machine to retain the same Sessions.

Little Things
-Timers do not have second-precision, and can only be set for hours and minutes. However, if you edit the From or To fields and tack on a colon and seconds (01:00:30 PM, for instance), Audio Hijack Pro will run the timer as close to this as possible.

-The Punch buttons on the master effects controls (Mute and Full in the Master Gain window, for instance) can be used to do A/B comparisons. Shift-clicking and holding will snap the slider to whichever end is being pressed, and releasing will return it to its original position.

Hidden Preferences


In the name of simplicity, not all of Audio Hijack Pro's preferences are accessible from within the application. Some prefs can only be accessed through the "defaults" system in the Terminal or by editing the preferences file (~/Library/Preferences/com.rogueamoeba.AudioHijackPro.plist) by hand.

registrationObscured: This preference controls the visibility of the registration code in the Registration window. If you're in a group environment, you may wish to obscure this code to prevent theft.

The example command below for the Terminal will cause the code to be obscured in the Registration window.
defaults write com.rogueamoeba.AudioHijackPro2 registrationObscured YES

AHKitShouldPermitDisplaySleep: This preference enables the display to sleep while recording. Because display sleep (and waking) can cause skips in recordings, this is off by default.

The example command below for the Terminal will enable display sleep while recording.
defaults write com.rogueamoeba.AudioHijackPro2 AHKitShouldPermitDisplaySleep -bool YES

DisablePowerOn: By default, when Schedule Helper is installed (see the Install Extras window), the machine will automatically power on to run timers. Automatic login will need to be turned on for this to work properly. If desired, this functionality can be turned off. Log out will be required after updating this for the change to take effect.

The example command below for the Terminal will prevent the machine from powering on to run timers.
defaults write com.rogueamoeba.ScheduleHelper DisablePowerOn -bool YES

DisableWake: By default, when Schedule Helper is installed (see the Install Extras window), the machine will automatically wake from sleep to run timers. This is recommended, but if desired, this functionality can be turned off. Log out will be required after updating this for the change to take effect.

The example command below for the Terminal will prevent the machine from waking up to run timers.
defaults write com.rogueamoeba.ScheduleHelper DisableWake -bool YES
Known Issues In Audio Hijack Pro

Audio Hijack Pro goes through rigorous design and testing before it every gets released. However, there sometimes arise issues which can't or won't be worked around, at least not presently. Read on for more information.

AirPort Express And iTunes: Audio Hijack Pro can not hijack audio from iTunes while iTunes is sending audio out to an AirPort Express. To properly hijack iTunes, you must use the Computer output option.

Fast User Switching: Because audio playback can behave in unexpected ways when switched out of an account, Audio Hijack Pro is not supported for use with Fast User Switching.

Effect Editor Windows: Due to conflicts between Cocoa and Carbon, neither Command-W nor Close Window will work on DSP Editor windows. The red 'Close' button must be used.

Purchasing Audio Hijack Pro

Quick Link: To buy a license key for Audio Hijack Pro, visit our online store.

Why should I buy Audio Hijack Pro?
Put simply, you should buy Audio Hijack Pro because it isn't free - we give you a chance to test out the program and all its features before you buy it. It's like test driving a car, for as long as it takes you to decide.

In trial mode, all of Audio Hijack Pro's features are available to try, but it won't work for full-time use. Until you purchase, noise will be overlaid on all audio Audio Hijack Pro pulls in after ten minutes.

If you use Audio Hijack Pro and find you like it, please purchase a license key and support Rogue Amoeba. You'll be allowing us to continue to bring some of the world's best software products into existence.

What does Audio Hijack Pro cost and where do I buy it?
Audio Hijack Pro is available for purchase the world over for just $32. To purchase your license key, just visit http://www.rogueamoeba.com/store/.

What types of licenses do you offer?
We have two types of licenses, Single-user and Family Pack.


License Multiple Users Multiple Machines
Single-user No Yes
Family Packs Up to 5, single household Yes

• Single-user licenses are for a single user on one or more personal machines.
• Family Packs are for up to five users in a single household, on one or more personal machines.
• Businesses and organizations can save with our volume discounts, available automatically with quantities of 10 or more.


After Purchase

How does purchasing work?
When you purchase through our store, you'll immediately receive a license key in your your browser, as well as via email. This key will allow you to unlock the full version of Audio Hijack Pro. Simply enter your key into Audio Hijack Pro as instructed, and you'll be all set.

Can I use my license key on multiple machines?
A license key for Audio Hijack Pro provides 1 "seat". This allows for a single copy to be in use at one time. If you own multiple personal machines, you may install and unlock Audio Hijack Pro on them, provided it is only in use on one machine at a time. If you need to use Audio Hijack Pro simultaneously on multiple machines, you'll need to purchase multiple license keys.

What's your upgrade policy?
Rogue Amoeba doesn't have a stated upgrade policy, just a great track record. Since 2002, we've provided hundreds of free updates across our entire product line. These updates have fixed bugs and added new features. If we add substantial new functionality, we may charge an upgrade fee. However, we do not make most of our income from upgrades, and we provide nearly all updates free of charge. Buy with confidence!

What's your refund policy?
All Rogue Amoeba products are available as demos for an evaluation prior to purchase. We believe that no customer should have to buy software in order to find out how well it works. Our software can be fully evaluated with no limitations in capabilities, prior to purchase. Customers are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these trials prior to purchase. You may also seek any needed technical support from us - we answer support emails rapidly and responsively for current and potential customers alike.

If you would like a refund, please contact hello@rogueamoeba.com within 14 days of your purchase. Because we can not recover the license key that was sold, refunds are issued on a case-by-case basis.

Cross-Promotion

Fission

Editing Audio With Fission
After you've made a recording with Audio Hijack Pro, you may wish to edit it. With Fission, you can edit any audio recorded with Audio Hijack Pro. Edit files losslessly, trim out commercials, normalize volume, and more, with Fission!

Bundle Up
Fission costs just $32. Better still, you can purchase Audio Hijack Pro and Fission together as a bundle, for just $50!

So how do I buy Audio Hijack Pro?
To purchase a license key for Audio Hijack Pro, just visit http://www.rogueamoeba.com/store/ and follow the instructions there.

Advanced Topics

   The following pages will assist you with many common questions and problems. If you have an issue, read over the relevant article for more information on the topic. If none of the Advanced Topics articles address your problem or question, please (please!) email us for support. Send mail to audiohijackpro@rogueamoeba.com, and we'll work to get your issue solved.

Troubleshooting

   This page will assist you with troubleshooting any problems you're having with Audio Hijack Pro. Follow the steps in this troubleshooting guide and your problem may disappear. After each step, test Audio Hijack Pro again. If you reach the last step, and it's still not working, then please contact us via email.

Update
   Be sure you're using the latest version of Audio Hijack Pro. Check by using the 'Check For Update' command in the Audio Hijack Pro menu.

Exclude Applications (Instant Hijack Only)
   If you're using the Instant Hijack component, and you're experiencing problems with specific applications, you can try excluding them. AH Pro will not affect any excluded applications. To exclude an application, open the System Preferences and go to the APE Manager. Click Instant Hijack Server and add the application to the Exclude List. Once you restart the application, AH Pro will no longer be affecting it at all, and you can be certain any problems you're experiencing aren't related to it.

Delete Preferences
   Try the old OS 9 standby of deleting the application's preferences. On your OS X hard drive, go to your Home folder and open Library/Preferences (~/Library/Preferences) and delete the file "com.rogueamoeba.AudiohHjackPro2.plist". As well, go to your Home folder and open Library/Application Support, and remove the "Audio Hijack Pro 2" folder.

Check for a messages from Audio Hijack Pro
   Did Audio Hijack Pro give you any error messages? If so, pay attention to them! These error messages are designed to tell you something is wrong, and to help us diagnose the problem if you can't fix it. You may also see error messages if you check Console.app (located in /Applications/Utilities/Console).

If all else fails...
   If these steps haven't fixed your problem, please (please!) email us for support. Send mail to audiohijackpro@rogueamoeba.com, and we'll try to get your issue solved.

Finding Stream URLs For Use With Timers

   In order to create effective timers in Audio Hijack Pro, it's best to have a direct link to the URL of the stream you wish to record. Just like you need to tell your VCR what channel to record, Audio Hijack Pro needs to know what stream to pass off to the source. The proper URL is entered in the Open URL field, and the selected source application opens this URL at the appointed time. The key is ALWAYS to have the exact address of the stream.

   However, finding these URLs can be tricky. There's no single correct way to find the URL for a stream, but we've outlined several methods to try. Generally, at least one of these methods will provide a direct link to the stream. When you have a bookmark file or direct URL, choose the proper application in the Application selector of a Session, then use the "Select" menu under the "Open URL/File/AppleScript" field, and choose "Select File..." to pick the proper bookmark, or just paste the URL in. When you hit "Hijack", Audio Hijack Pro will send the link on to the source application.

Click The Listen Button
   When accessing a stream's website, there is often a "Click To Listen" button or link, or something close. This is used to open the stream, for live listening. However, it often downloads a bookmark file, which will usually end in one of the following file name extensions: .ram, .asf, .rm, .smil, .mov. Other bookmark types may also be found, these are just some of the most common. When double-clicked, this file will usually lead directly to the stream you're tuned in to. You can use this file in the Open URL field.*

   Also, take note that many streams play inside of your web browser (using browser plugins). However, they often have an option to "Listen In Stand-Alone Player" or a link to click if you're having listening problems. This too will often download the bookmark file you need.

Control-click The Listen Button
   Instead of simply clicking the Listen button, try control-clicking it. This will bring up a menu with several options, and you can use the "Copy Link To Clipboard" option to pull the link out. You can then paste this link into the Open URL field of your session. Be sure to test this link, however, it won't always be the direct stream link for which you're searching. When it is, however, you'll be all set.

Search The HTML
   Sometimes, it can be difficult to locate a link. If you're up to it, you can try scouring the HTML code that defines a web page. Choose View Source from Safari's View menu, and try to hunt down the stream's URL. These will often end in .rm, .ram, or .asx.

Check The Player
   If you can't find the URL, but you can get it to play in a stand-alone player such as Windows Media Player or RealPlayer, you can often find the URL by checking the Player's Info window. This window, called Get Info in Window Media Player and Clip Info in RealPlayer, provides information on the current stream. This should include a direct link to the stream which you can copy and paste out.


Use The Bookmark Slurper
   A completely different workaround is AH Pro's Bookmark Slurper. The Bookmark Slurper pulls Favorites/Bookmarks out of RealPlayer, Safari, and Windows Media Player. What you can do is bookmark a stream in RealPlayer (or Windows Media Player). Then, open up AH Pro and choose New From Bookmark in the Sessions menu, or Select URL... from the Open URL field's Select menu. This will open up the Select A URL window. In this window, select the proper URL and it will be used.

Dynamically Create URLs
   With AppleScripts, you can use Audio Hijack Pro to dynamically generate stream urls, grabbing urls off the web that change often. This is especially useful for stream urls that change based on dates. Look at the following script example:

set urlString to "http://example.com/path/to/show/%Y-%m-%d.ram" set urlString to do shell script "echo -n;date '+" & urlString & "'" return urlString

   If the date is July 28th, 2004, this script will returns the url: http://example.com/path/to/show/2004-07-28.ram. Create a script with similar code, then use the "Select" menu under the "Open URL/File/AppleScript" field, and choose "Select AppleScript..." to pick the proper AppleScript. When you hit "Hijack", this script will run and return the address, which will then be passed on to the source application.

Worst Case, Leave The Stream Running
   If all else fails, you can simply leave the stream running. Set it up for live listening. Then, create a new Session, set the proper audio source, and set a timer. You can even pre-hijack the application, and use AH Pro's Mute button to mute local output, though this isn't required. Then, when the timer runs, it will record the already playing stream. Note, this works best with the Instant Hijack component installed, so see the Install Extras menu item under the Audio Hijack Pro menu.

   Good luck, and happy recording!

*Be aware, RealPlayer will often delete these files once it opens a stream, in a misguided effort to keep your hard drive clean. To prevent this, lock the file in the Finder. Get Info on the bookmark file, and turn on the Locked checkbox, and RealPlayer will be unable to delete the file.

Importing Records, Cassettes, And More

   Many people want to bring records, cassette tapes, and other types of audio, into their computers and save them as MP3 or AAC files for later listening. Audio Hijack Pro is very useful for doing this, and we've outlined the steps for doing it here. With these instructions, you can important any audio into your computer.

   First, you need to get the output of the audio device (your stereo, a microphone, etc.) into your Mac. Fortunately, almost all Macs have a Line Input port.* In most cases, you'll need a stereo mini-jack (1/8") patch cable coupled with a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter, like these from Radio Shack. No matter where you go, total cost to get the audio from your stereo to your computer should be under $10. Once you have the cables, just plug one end into the output of your stereo (the headphone jack works nicely) and the other into your computer's Audio In port.

   Once you've done this, open up Audio Hijack Pro. Make a new Session, and set the Source Type selector, in the Input tab, to Audio Device. Select the proper audio device from the Select menu on the right - in most cases, this will be "Built-in Audio: Line In". Finally, adjust the Recording tab as desired, setting the file type and entering the desired tags.

   Now you're ready to hijack and record. Click the Hijack button, and press Record. Then, start the audio playing from your source, and it will be recorded. That's about all there is to it. When you're done, turn the hijacking off, and disconnect the input device.

Assorted Notes:

-For recording audio off a record or cassette, using the Split button will seamlessly create a new audio file each time you hit it. Hit it in between tracks, and you'll wind up with different files for each song. You can also try using the Silence Monitor in the Recording tab to automatically split between tracks. Try the Analog preset to start, or experiment with a Custom setup.

-Many people also want to remove noise on the signal. As you may know, AH Pro supports VST and AU plugins in the Effects tab. With the low pass filter, you may be able to remove some hiss from cassettes. Other plugins such as Excitifier may allow you to improve audio fidelity. Experimenting o your taste will likely enable you to get the results desired.

However, if you're planning to do a lot of audio importation, you may wish to invest in a more professional solution. Check out Bias Inc's SoundSoap VST plugin. It'll plug right in to AH Pro and clean up all kinds of artifacts. It's not cheap at $99, but it will almost certainly serve your purpose.

*If your Mac doesn't have an audio input jack, you can use Griffin's iMic to gain an audio input.

Preventing Skipping/Saving CPU

   When recording, Audio Hijack Pro's recording status line (found under the Record button) may indicate that skipping has occurred, as seen in this image:



On most machines made in the past 4 years, Audio Hijack Pro should be able to run just fine with no skips. However, on older machines, you might find that recordings contain skips. This can occur for several reasons and we've outlined steps to prevent it below.

Use The Root Hard Drive
   We've seen problems with skips when people record to an external firewire drive. From a technical standpoint, this should be no problem, as firewire is plenty fast. Nevertheless, switching the destination to the root hard drive (the one on which your System is installed) may clear up skipping.

Save CPU
   The other thing you can do is reduce the amount of CPU Audio Hijack Pro needs, and increase the amount of available CPU. More details are outlined below.

   1) Quit processor-intensive applications: OS X allows many applications to run at once. However, some applications take up a lot of CPU, such as iTunes. If you don't have to have these applications open for the recording, quitting them may help.

   2) Switch To Custom MP3: In the Recording Format menu, choose the Custom... Set this to MP3, CBR, Stereo, the desired bitrate. Then, turn the Quality slider down.

   3) Switch to a lower bitrate MP3: The lower the bitrate set for encoding, the less CPU will be used.

   4) Switch to another format: AAC encodes faster than many MP3 types, so this may result in fewer skips. Even faster is ALAC, and finally AIFF. AIFF is the absolute fastest way to record, using the least CPU, and you can easily post-process it to MP3, AAC, or ALAC right from the Recording Bin.

   5) Turn off Effects: Effects in the Patch area use CPU to do their processing. Turning these off (by highlighting and pressing the Delete key, or by choosing None from their Title menus) will conserve some processor power.

   6) Turn off Level Meters: Level Meters use a small amount of CPU power. Turn off the Levels in the Effects tab by clicking the bar that indicates their type ("In Peak", for example). The level meters in the control area can also be turned off, by Control-clicking and choosing Off.

If all else fails...
   If these steps haven't fixed your problem, please (please!) email us for support and include information on your system. Send mail to audiohijackpro@rogueamoeba.com, and we'll try to get your issue solved.


Recording Audio From A DVD

From ABBA to Zeppelin, more and more bands are putting out concert DVDs. That's great, but it's not possible to listen to the music on these DVDs away from a DVD player. Until now, that is - Audio Hijack Pro is great for taking audio off concert DVDs ( or any type of DVD) and letting you use it as you like. This works just like any other hijacking, but people ask about it enough that we've made an exact set of directions for doing it. Follow along, and you can listen to the audio from your concert DVDs with your iPod, or burn it to a CD and take it in the car.

Set Up

For our example. we'll be using DVD Player. Alternative DVD players such as VLC should also work fine.

1) Launch Audio Hijack Pro and create a new Session.
2) Set the Input tab of the Session to Application, then slect the DVD Player application (found in the Applications folder).
3) Now, adjust the settings in the Recording tab. If you plan to burn this audio to a CD and deleting the copies from your hard drive, save the files as AIFF (Auto) to get perfect quality audio. If you'll be saving these files to listen to in iTunes or on an iPod, record to MP3 or AAC.
4) Finally, click Record and play the DVD in DVD Player. Any audio played in DVD Player will play through Audio Hijack Pro and be recorded. If you're recording a full concert DVD, press the Split button in-between tracks to get multiple files, one for each song.

When you're done, be sure to hit Record again to end recording of the last file. Your files will be saved to the specified location, as well as accessible from the Recording Bin. From here, you can send the files to iTunes, right to an iPod, or burn them to CD. Now you can enjoy audio from DVDs anywhere you like!

Recording Voice Chat

With the introduction of version 2.7 and the new (largely invisible) MegaMix mode, recording audio from voice chat applications such as Skype and iChat is now much, much simpler. As of version 2.7, the following is all that's needed to hijack from Skype, iChat, and Gizmo Project. We'll use Skype in our example.

1) Create a session and set Skype as the audio source, in the Input tab.

2) Click Record, and have your conversation in Skype.

That's it! Now all audio from Skype will be recorded by Audio Hijack Pro, just as it should be. Audio Hijack Pro automatically uses MegaMix mode for all new sessions where the source is Skype, iChat, and Gizmo Project. it can also be activated manually for other applications in the Advanced Hijacking options, by clicking the Advanced... button.

Note #1: If you wish to separate your audio onto one channel and the other party's audio on the other channel, turn on this option in the Advanced Hijacking options, by clicking the Advanced... button.

Note #2: When using MegaMix mode, audio effects will not be audible in local playback. They will still be applied to the recorded audio stream.

PLEASE NOTE: The following setup is deprecated and should not be needed by most users!

The setup below is now deprecated, but has been kept for those users who may wish to have complete control over every aspect of the recording. To use this setup, you must make sure that Audio Hijack Pro is not in MegaMix mode for your session. You can turn off MegaMix mode in the Advanced Hijacking options, accessible by clicking the Advanced... button.

Audio Hijack Pro is great for recording all sorts of audio, but when using Voice Chat in applications such as Skype or iChat, a bit of work is needed to capture both halves of the chat. These applications output audio in a non-standard way, so you'll need to use the setup below to record from them. The following should help you get started recording these chats.


 

Initial Pre-configuration

In order to set up these recordings, you'll need:
• A voice chat application such as Skype or iChat AV
• A hardware microphone (current Apple laptops come equipped with built-in microphones)
• A pair of headphones for monitoring

Set Up & Recording

For our example we'll be recording from Skype, but everything applies to iChat as well.

1) Plug the microphone and headphones in, then launch Audio Hijack Pro and Skype.

2) In the Input tab of an Audio Hijack Pro Session, set the first pop-up to Audio Device and then select Silence Input for the Input Device. Set the Output Device to the Silence Output.


Input tab setup


3) Next, go to the Effects tab of this Session. First, make sure the Dry/Wet Mix is set all the way to the right, on "Wet". This will cause all audio to pass through the effects. Next, insert the Application Mixer plugin. In the Application Mixer's editor window, set Skype as the Application, and set the Crossfade to 100% Application. Be sure to turn on the Monitor Output checkbox, so that audio from this application will be heard.

Note: Be sure to click the Advanced button, and set the Application Mixer to Hijack One Audio Stream. The MegaMix mode is used in the automatic setup at the top of this page, but is not recommended for manual setup. Using MegaMix here will cause both halves of the audio from Skype to come in here, resulting in your microphone audio coming in twice.


Plugins in parallel


4) Next, insert the VoiceOver plugin below the Application Mixer plugin (so that they act in parallel, not in series), as seen above. Set this to your input device (microphone) and adjust the crossfade to 100% Voice.

Application Mixer Settings VoiceOver Settings


5) Adjust the settings in the Recording tab. MP3 Low or AAC Low should be fine for any standard voice chat recordings.

6) Now click Hijack in the Application Mixer plugin editor, and click Start in the VoiceOver plugin editor.

7) Finally, press the Hijack button for the Session itself, then click the Record button and chat away. When you're done, click Record again, and you'll have a file containing your conversation. Be sure to turn off the Hijack button in Application Mixer and click Stop in VoiceOver, to set everything back the way it was.

So, what's going on here exactly? First, Audio Hijack Pro is creating a silent audio stream. Audio from your microphone is then going two places, into Skype and also into Audio Hijack Pro through the VoiceOver plugin. In Skype, this audio is sent to the person to whom you're speaking. In Audio Hijack Pro, this audio is mixed with the audio pulled from Skype with the Applicatin Mixer plugin, specifically the other speaker's portion of the conversation. This is combined together seamlessly to make one audio file, a recording of your conversation. The output you hear is just the audio from the other side of the conversation, which also plays out through your headphones.

Future Usage

After the initial setup, you can re-use this session as follows:

1) Launch Audio Hijack Pro and Skype.
2) Select the proper Session in Audio Hijack Pro and click the Hijack button.
3) Open the Application Mixer plugin's Editor window, and click Hijack here as well. Open the VoiceOver plugin's Editor window, and click Start.
4) Click Record, and chat away. When you're done, click Record to shut off the recording. Then shut off the Application Mixer Hijack button and the click Stop in VoiceOver.

Additional Notes

• When using iChat, it may be necessary to adjust the Stream Index from which the Application Mixer pulls audio. To do this, click the Advanced button in the Application Mixer plugin. From here, you'll be able to switch the Stream Index from Default to a number from 1 through 8. Experiment until you find the proper stream from which to pull audio.

• One additional step for some input devices, particularly headsets, is to adjust the Advanced Hijacking Options. Click the Advanced button in the Input tab to access this window. Choose the headset as the Target device, and change the Left Channel and/or Right Channel to 1 or 2 - do not leave them on Default. You should then hear the other party on the right or left ear - and they'll be recorded.

• You must be sure to hijack the session you're using, not just the Application Mixer and/or VoiceOver plugins in the Effects tab. If the session itself isn't being hijacked, then no audio pipeline will be established and no audio will flow through Audio Hijack Pro.

Recording A Podcast

What is it?
A podcast is simply a recorded file, available on-demand for listeners to grab, and listen to at their leisure (often on an iPod). Thousands of people all over the world are creating podcasts, from celebrities to your next-door neighbor, on every topic imaginable. If you want to create a podcast of your own, Audio Hijack Pro will help get it done.

The Most Basic Podcast: A Man And His Mic
The most basic podcast consists of one host talking, with nothing else. The setup for this is as basic as the show itself. Follow the steps below to set this up.

Basic Set Up
1) Launch Audio Hijack Pro and create a new session.
2) Select Audio Device in the first popup menu of the Input tab.
3) Set the Input Device to the appropriate device, your microphone. You'll also want to set an Output Device, either a pair of headphones (to avoid feedback) plugged in to the Built-In Output or Silence Output.
4) Now, adjust the settings in the Recording tab as you desire. For a talk program, an MP3 file of 64 kbps (MP3 Low) will sound great. You'll probably also want to edit the Tags section for your show - this information will be visible to listeners once they download the file and play it in their MP3 player.

Once you've got Audio Hijack Pro set as above, you're ready to go. Click the Hijack button, and then click Record and talk away. Everything you say will be recorded and if you need to, you can pause the recording by clicking Pause. When you're done, click Record again to finish the recording.

Click to hear a basic podcast recording


Adding In Music and/or Sound Effects
Once you've mastered a basic podcast, you may wish to improve it by interspersing music or sound effects. You can play songs during your podcast, insert pre-recorded interviews, or just drop in sound effects - Audio Hijack Pro makes all this easy and fun.

To start, you'll want to set everything up as above, then move over to the Effects tab of your session. Insert the Application Mixer plugin by clicking a cell ("Click here to insert effect") and choosing it from the 4FX section. Select the Application from which you wish to pull audio, probably iTunes or QuickTime Player.

The Application Mixer plugin

Now you'll want to queue up audio in your source. Create an iTunes playlist for your music or open up windows in QuickTime for each sound effect you want to drop in. Click the Hijack button inside Application Mixer, and audio from your input device (your microphone) will be mixed evenly (by default) with the source selected in Application Mixer.

You can also adjust the Crossfade slider as desired. If you want the AppMixer source to be the only audio source while it plays, use the crossfade buttons ( and ) to fade to the Application side as you start a song. When the song ends, click the Source arrow to fade back. If you're using sound effects, just leave the crossfader at the default position. When you're done inserting audio, click AppMixer's Release button and resume talking with the microphone.

Click to hear a more complex podcast recording

[Note: On OS X 10.4, you can alternately use the AUAudioFilePlayer plugin, detailed in a previous post. This plugin allows for all audio to be self-contained in one application (Audio Hijack Pro), but at the time of this writing, almost 70% of users are still on Panther (OS X 10.3). If you're interested and you're running OS X 10.4 (Tiger), play with AUAudioFilePlayer and see if you like it more than Application Mixer. Otherwise, just follow the instructions above.]

Chat It Up

The other major way in which Audio Hijack Pro enables you to create rich podcasts is by allowing you to pull in audio from a voice chat client, such as Skype or iChat. By grabbing audio from a Skype conversation (we'll use Skype for our example, but this all applies to iChat as well) as well as your own mic, Audio Hijack Pro enables you to record live interviews or conversations with remote users right into your podcast.

 

Once again, you'll want to set up Audio Hijack Pro as above, to pull audio from your microphone. You need to make sure that Skype uses the same audio input you're pulling from in Audio Hijack Pro. You can adjust this in Skype's preferences window.

Start hijacking your session in Audio Hijack Pro, then set up the Application Mixer plugin in the Effects window by clicking a cell ("Click here to insert effect") and choosing it from the 4FX section. Select Skype in the Application area, and leave the Crossfade in the default. Once you click the Hijack button in the AppMixer plugin, both halves of any Skype conversation will flow through Audio Hijack Pro.

You can now initiate a conversation in Skype, and record it as part of your podcast. While conversing, you'll want the crossfade slider at the halfway point, but when you setup the call you may wish to leave it at Source (or leave AppMixer's source unhijacked) to avoid including the various sound effects. Set up your call, talk to the other party, then Release AppMixer's source when your done. When you're finished with the entire podcast, end the full session hijacking, and you're all set.

Click to hear a podcast recording with chat
Share It With The World

That's really all there is to it, as far as the creation of the audio goes. Once you've got your podcast recording done in Audio Hijack Pro, you may wish to edit it in an audio editor, or it may be perfect already. Either way, you'll definitely need to upload your file to a web server and create an RSS feed for it.

With RSS 2.0, you can include an enclosure (just like email) in the feed, so that subscribers will automatically download the audio file when the RSS feed updates. The Enclosure tag details where the file is located on the web. Here's what it looks:

<enclosure url="http://www.rogueamoeba.com/utm/content/files/20050520podcastcreation/ABasicPodcastRecording.mp3" length="30016" type="audio/mpeg"/>


Our Test Feed

You can download our test RSS feed to take a look at. Once your own feed is created, you can test it with this validator. Put the RSS file online and link to it, and your listeners will be able to tune in.

It's Your Turn Now

That's a full wrap-up - now it's time to make your own podcasts. With these instructions, you'll be able to make rich, full podcasts that sound great. Your listeners are waiting!

Recording Options

   With Audio Hijack Pro, you can record audio to four different formats - AIFF, ALAC (Apple Lossless), MP3 and AAC. Each of these four formats also has many sub-options, and we've detailed many of the various recording options below. First, let's examine what format is right for you.

Which Format Is Right For Me?
   There are a lot of audio formats and options in AH Pro. If you don't know what you're looking for, a safe bet is to record to MP3 or AAC. Both of these compressed audio formats result in medium to high quality files and use low amounts of disk space. So, what bitrate do you need? If you're recording spoken word, a very low bitrate will still sound great. If you're recording music, 128 or 192 kbps is a good place to start. Just remember, as you lower the bitrate, you lower both the quality and the amount of disk space being used up by the file. Experiment and find what the best tradeoff is for you.

If you're burning to a CD or planning to edit the file before you use it, save to AIFF. If you want a perfect quality copy but don't want to use all the disk space of AIFF, use Apple Lossless - it's compressed, but it's an exact copy of the audio as it was received.

Bookmarkable AAC, ALAC and MP3
   AAC, ALAC and MP3 files can all be recorded in a so-called "Bookmarkable" format. This means that when you play them in iTunes or on an iPod, they will resume from where they were last stopped. If you record an hour long radio program, this can be very useful. When you're listening, you can stop the program halfway through, come back the next day and hit play, and it will automatically start right where you left off. To make a Bookmarkable recording, use the AAC or MP3 bookmarkable presets or a Custom AAC, ALAC or MP3 format.

Bulletproof MP3 And AIFF Recording
   On OS X, applications crash a lot less often than they used to. But bugs and kernel panics still happen, and if you're in the middle of a recording, this can be a huge setback. With Bulletproof MP3 and AIFF recording, Audio Hijack Pro constantly updates the saved recording, so if you have a crash, you won't lose any of the previously recorded audio. All MP3 and AIFF recordings are bulletproof, so just choose an MP3 or AIFF format to use this feature.

CBR vs. VBR vs. ABR
   MP3 recording has 3 different sub-formats. CBR will work in any MP3 player but is a bit inefficient, while VBR and ABR offer a bit more in the way of overall performance, but may have problems in some older mp3 players. In short:

   CBR (Constant Bit Rate): The amount of disk space per second of audio is set prior to recording and used for the entire file, regardless of how complicated parts of the audio are. Thus, some portions get less space than they need, and others get more than they need. Compared to the other formats, it's less efficient, but it uses the least CPU and is universally recognized.

   VBR (Variable Bit Rate): Each portion of audio is given the amount of disk space it needs, within a set boundary. This will give the best sound quality of the three, but some software won't recognize it or play it properly.

   ABR (Average Bit Rate): The disk space used is an average of what's needed for the entire file, so the portions which need a lot of space will get more and those that don't will get less. This is the least universal format, but it's a good technical compromise between CBR and VBR.

For more info, see http://lame.sourceforge.net/doc/html/modes.html

MP3 Quality Sliders
   Custom MP3 Formats use one or both of the Quality sliders seen in the Custom sheet. The higher the quality, the better the audio file will sound, all without using more disk space. The tradeoff here is that it will use more CPU power in encoding. VBR will also use the VBR Quality slider. The higher this is set, the more the file will fluctuate from the chosen bitrate. This means that portions of audio that need more disk space are more likely to get it. Again, this requires more CPU.

Lossy vs. Lossless
   When doing audio encoding, the goal is to save space over the raw audio. MP3 and AAC are very good at this, reducing file size down to about 10% of the original audio. However, these are "lossy" formats - when you record to them, some of the original audio data is lost. Often, this goes unnoticed, but if you hear artifacts in the audio or if you need perfect quality recordings, consider AIFF or ALAC - these formats are both "lossless", meaning all the original audio data is there. In the case of AIFF, the file size is not compressed at all. ALAC uses about half as much disk space as an equivalent AIFF, which is a large savings but still results in very large files compared to MP3 and AAC. Further, ALAC is not nearly as universally accepted as AIFF.

AIFF 16-bit and AIFF 24-bit
   AIFF 16-bit is the universal audio format on the Mac - almost every single application that deals with audio can read AIFF files. AIFF 24-bit is a pro-audio format which is an improvement over AIFF 16-bit in terms of quality, but takes up more hard drive space, and is much less compatible. Unless you know that you need AIFF 24-bit, AIFF 16-bit is the recommended AIFF format.

More Information on Timers

   You can read about using Audio Hijack Pro timers in the Timers tutorial, but we've included some additional details here.

Don't Overlap Timers
   You can use timers for multiple Sessions that are hijacking the same application (a session for "All Things Considered" and one for "Car Talk", both using RealPlayer, for instance). However, these timers should not overlap.

   In Audio Hijack Pro 2.5, we introduced Overlapping Timer detection, as well as Preemptive timers. Audio Hijack Pro now displays a warning icon next to the Session in the Component List, as well as highlighting the problematic Timer in the Schedule area. If these conflicts are left unresolved, the second timer will automatically preempt the first, ending it and taking control of the Source application.

Timer Accuracy
Timers have an accuracy of about 7 seconds, which is why we only allow timers to start on the minute. However, if you enter a time which includes seconds, AH Pro will get as close to it as possible. For example, enter 07:30:15 AM in the From field, and the timer will run as close to 7:30:15 AM as possible.

Automatic Login
With version 2.6.5, Audio Hijack Pro can even power your machine on as needed. However, you'll need to be sure to set up Automatic Login, in the Accounts System Preference -> Login Options, in order for Audio Hijack Pro to be able to hijack and record.

Visualize Your Timers
   Many people wish to see a calendar of their timers, and with Audio Hijack Pro this is now possible. From the AppleScript menu in Audio Hijack Pro, select "View timers in iCal". A new calendar called Audio Hijack Pro will be created, providing a great way to view all your upcoming timers.

Quick Record

   The Quick Record feature in Audio Hijack Pro offers an easy way to hijack any application, without setting up all the setting used in a full Session. This allows for fast, disposable hijacking. It also allows you to hijack and record the foremost application by using the Quick Record Hot Keys.

   If you just want to make a quick recording of audio input, or only need to record from an application once, Quick Record is just what you need. Adjust all the settings needed in one window, and don't worry about the extra frills. Once you're done, just quit Audio Hijack Pro - next time you need to use Quick Record, just adjust a few settings and use it again.

   To use the Quick Record Hotkeys, you'll first need to set them. Open up the Preferences window and set the desired keys. You'll probably also want to install the Instant Hijack component - see "About Instant Hijack", under the "Audio Hijack Pro" menu. Once this is all done, you're ready to go. When you want to hijack the foremost app using the settings currently in Quick Record, press the Hijack Hotkey. When you want to hijack and record, press the Record Hotkey. Simple, fast hijacking - that's all there is to it.

Level Meters

   Throughout our applications, there are a variety of audio level meters. The most common of which, are the "status" meters, which are meant to show you if things are working at a glance. The status meters are typically in a prominent spot, the toolbar in Audio Hijack 2, the top control area in Audio Hijack Pro 2, and the center of the Broadcast window in Nicecast. The second type of meters are "reference" meters, meant for showing accurate readings of the audio signal level. These are in the Effects areas of Audio Hijack Pro, and Nicecast.

   Some, but not all, of our level meters support multiple modes of operation. For meters that support it, clicking on the meter (or the meters title bar) will present a menu of modes to choose from. The following matrix describes the available modes:

   Off - Turns the meters off entirely. This is useful if you are using a slower computer, or just want to save on CPU resource usage. Most level meters can take anywhere from 1-3% of a CPU, depending on the CPU.

   In [RMS/Peak] - Input modes measure the raw input signal, before any processing is applied.

   Out [RMS/Peak] - Output modes measure the level of the processed signal, after all Effects have been applied. The Output level is the level at which the audio will be recorded/broadcasted/etc. Note that this is before any "speaker volume/mute" adjustments are made, so Muting the speaker volume will not affect the level the Output meters display.

   [In/Out] RMS - RMS modes are basically the "average" signal level (really the Root-Mean-Square). This is the most common mode for casual usage.

   [In/Out] Peak - Peak modes show the highest signal level. They can be used to see if any distortion in the audio is being caused by clipping.

   The reference meters feature an accurate scale (-0 dB at the top, -oo dB on the bottom) and clip warning lights, while most status meters do not, but are fairly accurate anyway. VU Meters and MenuBar Meters are not accurate at all, but they look the coolest (so no complaints please).

   Finally, if you need still more audio signal analysis, you can try the (built-in) "mda SpecMeter" plugin, or download the excellent and free "Inspector" plugin from Roger Nichols Digital, at http://www.rogernicholsdigital.com/.


Using Automator And Audio Hijack Pro

OS X 10.4 (Tiger) introduced a new feature called Automator, designed to allow automatic actions to occur by running Automator Workflows. Audio Hijack Pro now supports using workflows for post-processing. These can be accessed from the Recording tab for automatic post-processing and from the Recording Bin for manual use.

Workflow Paths

Audio Hijack Pro will find workflows in the following locations:

~/Library/Workflows/Applications/Audio Hijack Pro
/Library/Workflows/Applications/Audio Hijack Pro
~/Library/Application Support/Audio Hijack Pro/Recording Workflows
/Library/Application Support/Audio Hijack Pro/Recording Workflows
~/Library/Application Support/Audio Hijack Pro/Recording Bin Workflows
/Library/Application Support/Audio Hijack Pro/Recording Bin Workflows

Creating Automator Workflows

As of version 2.5.1, Audio Hijack Pro can execute Automator workflows when recordings complete. With this addition you can now easily use workflows to automate many file-related recording tasks. Examples include copying recordings to a backup disk drive, burning MP3 CDs, adding Spotlight keywords, and naturally all manner of iTunes related tasks.

Creating A Workflow

iTunesThe following will walk you through creating a simple workflow that adds new recording files to an iTunes playlist named "Recently Recorded". This will cover everything you need to know about Audio Hijack Pro and Automator workflows.

1. Prerequisites

Our example workflow will add new recordings to a playlist in iTunes. So the first thing we need to do is actually create that playlist. This should be familar enough to most iTunes users, just open up iTunes, select "New Playlist" from the "File" menu, and then type in the name "Recently Recorded".

2. Workflow creation

With that out of the way, we can move on to creating the actual workflow in Automator. Opening up Automator should give you a new empty workflow with which to start. From the "Library" column, select "iTunes", and then in the "Action" column select "Add Files to Playlist" (not "Add Songs to Playlist"). This action accepts a list of files, which it then adds to a given playlist. Drag this from the "Action" column over into the Action area of the workflow.

Automator

Once we've added the action, all that's left to do is configure it for the desired playlist. From the "Existing Playlist" popup, select the playlist we created above ("Recently Recorded").

Finally, we need to save the workflow. For Audio Hijack Pro to automatically see it, we need save it to the location ~/Library/Workflows/Applications/Audio Hijack Pro (you'll need to create some of those folders yourself).

Automator

3. Audio Hijack Pro setup

Having created the workflow, we can now tell Audio Hijack Pro to use it. Launch Audio Hijack Pro, select the Session you want to hook the workflow up to, and click on the "Recording" tab. Next, click on the "Scripts" popup button next to the "When Finished Recording" field. If you saved the workflow to Audio Hijack Pro's workflow folder (see above) you'll be able to select it directly; otherwise you can "Select Other..." to find it.

Automator

And that's it! Now whenever you record from that session, completed recordings will be added to the "Recently Recorded" playlist in iTunes. Furthermore, your workflow is also available in the Recording Bin, so you can apply it to already existing recordings if needed.

Scripting Audio Hijack Pro via AppleScript

Scripting via AppleScript

Beginning with version 2.5, Audio Hijack Pro supports a full AppleScript suite. Just about anything you can do with the graphical user interface, you can now also script. The following is a brief overview of the object model that Audio Hijack Pro exposes. For a complete reference, see Audio Hijack Pro's Scripting Dictionary in Script Editor. If you are new to AppleScript, we recommend you pick up a copy of AppleScript : The Definitive Guide by Matt Neuburg, before proceeding.

  1. Creating a session
  2. Retrieving an existing session
  3. Accessing audio source attributes
  4. Accessing schedule and timer attributes
  5. Accessing recording attributes
  6. Accessing effects attributes
  7. Sending commands
  8. Putting it all together

Creating a session

Just like in the graphical interface, the Session is the main object of interest in the scripting interface. Unlike the graphical interface, each session in the scripting interface has a specific type: application session, radio device session, and system audio session. As should be clear, the type of the session specifies what kind of audio source it uses.

So, to create a new session, we use a standard AppleScript make new ... at ... statement, along with the type of session we want to create:

set appSession to make new application session at end of sessions --For hijacking an application set deviceSession to make new audio device session at end of sessions --For hijacking an audio device set aSession to make new session at end of sessions --Error! The "session" class can't be instantiated!

Note that if you try to instantiate the session class (e.g. make new session), you will get an error. The session class is an abstract base class on which the other concrete subclasses inherit from.

Retrieving an existing session

Existing sessions can be accessed through the session element of the application class:

set theSession to first session whose name is "iTunes Session" --By name set activeSessions to every session whose hijacked is true --All the active ones set allSessions to every session --All of 'em

Accessing audio source attributes

Now that we have a session, we can configure its audio source. The source attributes available are dependent on the type of the session. Application sessions have targeted application and launch argument. Audio device sessions have input device and output device. And Radio sessions have frequency and output device.

--Setting up an application session tell application "Finder" set pathToiTunes to POSIX path of (application file id "hook" as alias) end tell set targeted application of appSession to pathToiTunes set launch argument of appSession to "http://tess.fast-serv.com:8956/listen.pls" --Setting up an audio device session set input device of deviceSession to (first audio input whose name is "Built-in Audio: Internal microphone") set output device of deviceSession to (first audio output whose name is "Default System Output")

Whenever files are involved, Audio Hijack Pro uses POSIX paths (/path/to/file), and not AppleScript files or aliases (Volume:path:to:file).

Note as well, that whenever an audio device is needed, you can retrieve them from the audio input and audio output elements of the application object:

set theNames to (name of every audio input) set aName to first item of (choose from list theNames without multiple selections allowed)

Accessing schedule and timer attributes

A sessions schedule is accessible through the timer element:

set allTimers to every timer of theSession --The existing timers set aTimer to make new timer at end of timers of theSession --Making a new one delete the last timer of theSession --Removing an old one

The basic attributes of a timer are enabled, actions, start time and duration.

set enabled of theTimer to true --Remember to turn your timers on! set actions of theTimer to {"record", "quit"} --Also can do "mute" set start time of theTimer to ((current date) + (60)) --Start time is a date set duration to 300 --5 minutes, duration is in seconds

By default, new timers are in "one-shot" mode, where they are set to fire on a specific date. To turn them into "repeating" timers, you turn on any one of their "runs" attributes.

set {runs Monday, runs Wednesday, runs Friday} to {true, true, true} --MWF

Accessing recording attributes

Most of Audio Hijack Pro's recording settings are simple attributes of the session:

--Set some Tags set title tag of theSession to "80s Airwaves" set genre tag of theSession to "80s" --And some file settings set output folder of theSession to "~/Music" --This is a POSIX path set output name format of theSession to "%tag_title %date"

The recording format, file size limit, and recording time limit attributes are a bit more complex, as they are represented by a special class (audio recording format and size or length limit).

set recording format of theSession to {encoding:AAC, bit rate:128, channels:Stereo, style:Bookmarkable} --Record to a Bookmarkable AAC set recording format of theSession to {encoding:MP3, bit rate:192, channels:Stereo, style:VBR} --Record to a VBR MP3 set file size limit of theSession to {enabled:yes, unit:MB, value:650} --Split every 650MB

Accessing effects attributes

Currently, the Effects system can not be directly accessed via AppleScript. If you'd like this in a future version, please contact us at audiohijackpro@rogueamoeba.com

Sending commands

Finally, there are the commands for hijacking:

start hijacking theSession start hijacking theSession relaunch yes --Avoids the relaunch alert stop hijacking theSession

And recording:

start recording theSession stop recording theSession split recording theSession pause recording theSession unpause recording theSession

Putting it all together

A complete example script that shows how to put all these basic pieces together into one script, is available at: http://rogueamoeba.com/audiohijackpro/scripting/downloads/BasicExample.scpt

Extending Audio Hijack Pro via AppleScript

Extending via AppleScripts
   In addition to being scripted, Audio Hijack Pro can be extended via "plugin" style AppleScripts. It supports these plugin scripts in three flavors:
(1) Source Target AppleScripts which dynamically generate URLs to be record,
(2) Post-processing AppleScripts which process recording files as they are made
(3) Recording Bin AppleScripts which process recording files after they are made.

Source Target AppleScripts
   Source Target AppleScripts can be used when you need to hijack URLs that change often and in predictable ways. They generate a URL string, and return it back to Audio Hijack Pro.

   Here is an example Source Target AppleScript that generates URLs like "http://example.com/program-2004-10-03.ram":

set urlString to "http://example.com/program-%Y-%m-%d.ram" set urlString to do shell script "echo -n; date '+" & urlString & "'" return urlString


   Note that "do shell script" may fail in Audio Hijack Pro (the hijacker breaks it). The work around is to prefix the command string with "echo -n;" (as in the example above).

Post-processing AppleScripts
   Post-processing scripts let you process recording files immediately after they are completed. As Audio Hijack Pro finishes a session, it will pass a list of recording files to the "process" subroutine in the given post-processing AppleScript.

   The "process" subrountine takes a single arguement, a list of files.

   Note that post-processing scripts are invoked batch-style, with all recordings being handed off at once, and not one at a time (as was previously the case in older versions of Audio Hijack Pro).

   Here is an example post-processing script that adds files to iTunes library:

on process(theArgs) --Into iTunes ye files shall go tell application "iTunes" repeat with theFile in theArgs add theFile end repeat end tell end process


   To have Post-processing AppleScripts show up in the Recording script list, place them in: ~/Library/Application Support/Audio Hijack Pro/Recording Scripts.

Recording Bin Applecripts
   Recording Bin AppleScripts are almost exactly the same as Post-processing AppleScripts, except they run only when selected manually, and the argument passed to the "process" subroutine is always a list of files. Any correctly written Post-processing script can effectively function as both a Post-processing script and a Recording Bin script.

   To have Recording Bin AppleScripts show up in the Recording Bin's script list, place them in: ~/Library/Application Support/Audio Hijack Pro/Recording Bin Scripts.

Credits, Licenses, Contacts and All The Fun That Involves

   We now present the conclusion to the Audio Hijack Pro Manual, on the Rogue Amoeba Tuesday Morning Movie.

-User License - Let your lawyer explain it all to you.

-Licensing - Information about licensing the technology Audio Hijack Pro is built on.

-Contact - How to get in touch with Rogue Amoeba.

-Acknowledgements - We couldn't have done it without them.

-Printable Manual - A link to the printable version of this manual.

Audio Hijack Pro - Your Ears Will Thank You
License

Distribution
Unless explicitly stated in writing, Rogue Amoeba Software does not grant permission to sell Audio Hijack Pro ("The Software"). Non-profit distribution of The Software in its trial form is acceptable provided that The Software is not modified in any way, and the complete works of The Software are included in the distribution package. If The Software is to be included in a distribution package, Rogue Amoeba requests but does not require that one complimentary copy of said package, sent to the following address:


Rogue Amoeba Software
Marketing Department
29 Scottsdale Ct. #1
Cranbury, NJ 08512

What that said: Don't sell this software directly for profit. If you want to distribute it, great! Just make sure it's unmodified from the download from our site. If you create a distribution package, it'd be cool if you sent a copy to the address above, though this is not required.

Refunds
All Rogue Amoeba products are available as demos for an evaluation prior to purchase. We believe that no customer should have to buy software in order to find out how well it works. Our software can be fully evaluated with no limitations in capabilities, prior to purchase. Customers are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these trials prior to purchase. You may also seek any needed technical support from us - we answer support emails rapidly and responsively for current and potential customers alike.

If you would like a refund, please contact hello@rogueamoeba.com within 14 days of your purchase. Because we can not recover the license key that was sold, refunds are issued on a case-by-case basis.

What that said: We want you to be happy, so we enable you to test drive our software. If you have any questions, let us know before you buy, we're happy to help. Refunds may be issued within 14 days of purchase, at our discretion.

Disclaimer
Audio Hijack Pro ("The Software") is provided as is. Rogue Amoeba Software ("The Author") is not responsible for any damage to the user's computer system or data and in no event will The Author, its officers, directors, employees or agents be responsible to the user for any consequential, incidental, or indirect damages (including damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, lost of business information, and the like) arising out of the use or inability to use the The Software, even if The Author has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Because some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitations may not apply to you. Further, the consumer agrees that using this software in any way illegal, or even for the purposes of assessing its viability for illegal usage, is prohibited.

What that said: Be safe when you use the software. Be aware that it's simply a tool designed to make your life better. Don't use it to do illegal or evil things. If you do, be ready to take responsibility for your own actions.

Licensing

Audio Hijack Technology
Audio Hijack Pro is built on Audio Hijack technology, the same technology powering many of our products. We have several technologies that have been adapted for licensing. For more details, see our online licensing page.

Audio Hijack Licensing
Contacts

Audio Hijack Pro Homepage
http://www.rogueamoeba.com/audiohijackpro

Rogue Amoeba Homepage
http://www.rogueamoeba.com

Buying Audio Hijack Pro
Visit our online store or see Purchasing

Audio Hijack Pro Support:
audiohijackpro@rogueamoeba.com Be sure to look over the Known Issues page, and the support center first.

Join the Rogue Amoeba low-traffic announcement list. There's no spam, EVER. It's as simple as that.
http://www.rogueamoeba.com/company/lists/maclist.php

Printable Manual

To print this entire manual, download the PDF version here.
Appendix

   The following pages contain additional information that may prove useful to some users. It is not, however, required or even recommended reading, and thus it has been placed at the end of this manual.

Version History - Details the complete history of changes since Audio Hijack Pro 1.0

Audio Effects - Contains a very basic overview of the audio effects included with Audio Hijack Pro

Audio Hijack Pro Version History

Audio Hijack Pro v2.8.3
Released 08.05.2008
◊ MegaMix mode has been improved for use with VoIP apps like Skype and iChat
◊ Fixed a rare issue with timers ending at midnight

Audio Hijack Pro v2.8.2
Released 07.17.2008
◊ Hijacking: Instant Hijack updated to 2.1, with 64-bit hijacking support. Also fixes crashing bugs on G3/G4s
◊ Hijacking: Fixed long-standing bug where hijacker would cause audio skips when under heavy CPU load
◊ Hijacking: When in MegaMix mode, Effects will now correctly play through
◊ Hijacking: Fixed regression where Exclude List would not be honored
◊ Effects: Balance no longer Pans, but properly Balances
◊ Other: Many memory leak fixes
◊ Other: Updated to Sparkle 1.5b
◊ Effects: Added new "Pan" plugin
◊ auverse: Now using LAME 3.98b8
◊ AHP: Fixed a warning when AppleScript dictionary was loaded
◊ AHKit: QuitSource now attempts to force quit if normal quitting failed
◊ AHP: Added Adv. Options for System Audio, with IncludeAlertSounds option
◊ AHP: Added recordingEncoderName hidden preference
◊ AHP: Fixed AddToiTunes to not add files twice
◊ AHP: Fixed bug where seperate sessions would not show overlapping timers
◊ AHP: Schedule Helper prompting now shows up if SH disappears from the system for some reason
◊ SH: fixed failure to cancel power events for nil trigger date

Audio Hijack Pro v2.8.1
Released 03.19.2008 • Includes Instant Hijack 2.0.3, to fix an incompatibility between Apple Security Update 2008-002 on Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) and the Instant Hijack component, which caused ssh and related commands to crash.
◊ Soundflower 1.3.1
◊ AudioDevices: Multi-channel devices now honor preferred stereo channels
◊ Hijacker: Now with GarbageCollected application
◊ Hijacker: Fixed bug with Front Row hijacking
◊ RecordingBin: Burning now correctly allows Erasing of re-writable media

Audio Hijack Pro v2.8
Released 02.05.2008
• Full support for Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), including Instant Hijack support
• Instant Hijack 2, with Leopard support, MultiHijack, and more
• Now uses Sparkle for version updates
◊ Fixed potential crash when ending a System Audio source
◊ Fixed possible hijack failure when hijacking Rosetta applications
◊ Application icon now avaliable in 512px for Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
◊ Fixed low bitrate AAC recording under QuickTime 7.3 or later
◊ Fixed possible corrupt audio bug when hijacking using MegaMix
◊ Can now hijack non-WindowServer based processes with Instant Hijack
◊ Hijacking of FrontRow.app now works as expected on 10.5 (requires Instant Hijack)
◊ Fixed bug where ADB keyboards could cause an characterAtIndex: exception to be thrown when pressing the Power key (really)
◊ Improved Full Keyboard support in the Tags view
◊ Better VoiceOver support in the Session List on 10.5
◊ Fixed possible corrupt audio bug when hijacking using MegaMix
◊ Track Total and Disc Total tags now work even if no Track Number or Disc Number tag is given on AAC files
◊ Fixed bug where non-ASCII ID3 tags would sometimes be truncated

Audio Hijack Pro v2.8 Preview 3
Released 12.07.2007
- Improved the reliability of hijacking emulated (Rosetta) applications
- Fixed a bug where post-processing scripts would sometimes not run for AAC files

Audio Hijack Pro v2.8 Preview 2
Released 11.16.2007
+ Various bug fixes and improvements for Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
+ Fixed low-bitrate AAC recording problem on 10.5 and/or QT7.3
+ Fixed sample rate bug in AAC recorder that'd generate bad recordings
+ Fixed broken AppleScript support on 10.5
- Fixed bug where text fields sometimes failed to select
- Updated Dashboard wording for 10.5
- Added 512px icon

Audio Hijack Pro v2.8 Preview
Released 10.26.2007
+ Various bug fixes and improvements for Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Hijacking
   + Now supports MultiHijack (hijacking the same program more then once)
   + Expanded MegaMix options for grabbing only inputs or outputs
   + Mute now works when in MegaMix mode
   + Web browsers now automatically set to MegaMix, outputs only
   - Now only brings target to the foreground if not previously open
Recording
   + Bookmarkable options moved to "Add to iTunes as Bookmarkable" post-processing script
   + Additional tags supported (Grouping, Composer, Album Artist, Track Count, Disc Count, Disc, BPM, Compilation)
   + Post-processing scripts now called with list of files instead of a single file path
   - Now correctly sets the Encoder tag
   - Updated some scripts to use Automator now
   - Fixed bug where Recorder would occasionally stop if the Output Folder was missing
   - MP3 files have creator code set to 'hook'
Effects
   - Effects: Fixed bug where Equalizer could use excessive amounts of CPU
Radio
   - Radio: Fixed bug where wrong RadioShark could be used if multiple ones are present
   - Radio: RadioShark 2 now supports tuning down to 76.1mhz
AppleScript
   - AppleScript: 'Duplicate' command now supported for Sessions
   - AppleScript: Fixed bug when setting MP3 format
Extras
   + Extras: Instant Hijack updated to v1.5
   + Extras: Schedule Helper updated to v1.0.7
Other
   - Other: Revised Help menu
   - Other: Soundflower installer now better at installing updates
   - Other: Now requires Mac OS X 10.4+

Audio Hijack Pro v2.7.3
Released 06.07.2007
+ Updated to Soundflower 1.2.1
- Fixed crash at launch caused by a conflict with the LADSPA / VST Bridge plugin

Audio Hijack Pro v2.7.2
Released 03.27.2007
- Fixed a crashing bug when adjusting the Editor preference

Audio Hijack Pro v2.7.1
Released 11.28.2006
Recording
     -Improved AAC recording compatibility with iPod Shuffle 2G
     -Default MP3 recording formats are now VBR instead of CBR
     -Improved AIFF tag compatibility other non-standard AIFF implementations
     -Two new name format variables "%frmt_U" for day of week number and "%frmt_s for unix timestamp
RadioShark
     -Correctly honors RadioShark.app light preference
     -RadioShark 2 support
     -Correctly works on 10.3 again
AppleScript
     -"set selection" now supported
     -Deleting from the Recording Bin now support
     -"Unpause" command now works correctly again
Plugins
     -Attempted to fix an incompatibility between Audio HIjack Pro and Ardour
     -Application Mixer now correctly remembers it's Advanced settings
     -Channel Tweaker now has new "Invert Phase" mode
     -PipeDream now supports Little Endian output mode
Extras
     -Updated to LAME v3.9.7
     -Updated to Soundflower v1.2
     -Updated to SmartCrashReporter v1.2.1
Other
     -Audio Editor preference now compatible with some older types of Carbon applications
     -New About Box

Audio Hijack Pro v2.7
Released 07.31.2006
+ Now record Skype, iChat, and Gizmo audio with a single click!
+ Lyrics tag now available - include Lyrics or Notes in recordings
+ Enhanced Preview functionality in the Recording Bin
+ RadioShark (AM/FM Radio) improvements, including improved tuning quality and optional manual tuning for added precision
+ Send files to any audio editor, right from Audio Hijack Pro's Recording Bin
- Simpler preset recording options
- Updated Schedule Helper component to version 1.0.6
- Many minor additions and bug fixes

Audio Hijack Pro v2.6.7
Released 06.07.2006
+ MP3 now does Stereo recording as well as Joint Stereo
+ Optional Minimize To Menu Bar preference, to place Audio Hijack Pro in the Menu Bar instead of the Dock (OS X 10.4 only)
+ Updated to Instant Hijack 1.3.3 with full Intel Chip-Based Mac (ICBM) support
+ Updated to Smart Crash Reports 1.2 with full ICBM support
+ Updated Schedule Helper component to version 1.0.5
- Start Every/Stop After controls now support finer resolution
- Now uses LAME 3.97b2

Audio Hijack Pro v2.6.6
Released 03.13.2006
+ Official Intel Chip-Based Mac (ICBM) support
+ Can now pull audio from applications running under Rosetta emulation
- Smart Crash Reports version 1.1 beta 1
- Updated to Instant Hijack Server 1.3.2 (PPC Only)
- AHP2: Attempted to fix PTTabView keyDown crash
- AppMixer: Now reports Errors in a Message
- Behaves better when dealing with files on network volumes
- Schedule Helper v 1.0.4: Now powers on (when needed) five minutes

Audio Hijack Pro v2.6.5
Released 03.01.2006
+ Now a Universal Build, with beta support for Intel Macs
- Audio Devices: Fixed bug where a missing audio device would sometimes revert to the Default system device
- Radio Devices: RadioShark AM tuning now closer to Griffin's
- Widgets: Fixed bug where hijacking a widget could sometimes fail
- Recorder: Now defaults to the Desktop if the output folder is missing
- Recorder: Now supports tagging of AIFF files
- Interface: New Tab Style
- Interface: Schedule table now sortable
- Effects: Master Gain now has range of 0 to 200%
- Effects: Fixed bug where VST plugins wouldn't responds to clicks sometimes
- Misc: Now requires 10.3.9
- Misc: Fixed startup crashing bug related to the Recording Bin
- Schedule Helper v 1.0.3: Now will both automatically wake machine from sleep, or power them on, as required

Audio Hijack Pro v2.6.5 (Public Beta)
Released 01.27.2006
+ Now a Universal Build, with support for Intel Macs

Audio Hijack Pro v2.6.4
Released 12.24.2005
+ Updated Schedule Helper to version 1.0.2
- Fixed Crash-On-Quit bug

Audio Hijack Pro v2.6.3
Released 12.22.2005
+ Improved hijacking under high CPU use
- Improved behavior of Split-On-Silence
- Schedule Helper bug fixes
- Fixed bug with Recording Bin-based crashes
- Raw
- AHKit: AHHjackedSource now attempts auto-reconnect upon ah_cl disconnects
- AHKit: Fixed typo in HijackOptions window
- AHKit: Hijacker status polling now controlled by policy delegate
- AHKit: Now better about knowing when an ExtraInstaller is avaliable
- AHKit: Now shows error when hijacking un-open widgets
- AHKit: Recorder now doesnt totatly fail when working with unix FIFOs
- AHP2: Disk Status now ignores /dev volumes
- auverse/aurec doesnt split at initial silence now
- Extras: Made window title match menu item name
- Plugins: Fixed VU Meters window title
- PT: Added Emulation launch alert
- PT: Another attempt at fixing PTFileRef crasher
- PT: Reg window new background plate
- SH/AHP: attempted fix for potential startup deadlock
- sw4fx/framework: fixed broken editor bypass button pics
- sw4fxPatchViews: New Editor Disabled button

Audio Hijack Pro v2.6.2
Released 10.27.2005
- PTFileRef
- auverse/rbuffer: finally fixed the oldest crashing bug ever
- libah: increased timeouts in ah_serv
- SH: bug fixes, more logging
- AHP2: moved recording bin to use aliases
- AHP2: Dock icon now has recording badge
- AHP2: QuickRecord forces off Stopper/Splitter
- AHP2: Disk Status window now better about picking up only Local volumes
- AHKit: AHHijackedSource now actively detects libah disconnects
- AHKit: made timers trigger if app launched in the middle
- AHKit: Fixed bug where hijacking widgets could sometimes fail

Audio Hijack Pro v2.6.1
Released 09.23.2005
- Bug Fixes
  - Fixed issues with Schedule Helper and Tiger, where SH wasn't faceless as it should be

Audio Hijack Pro v2.6
Released 09.20.2005
- Recording
  - Bookmarkable MP3s
  - Adjustable MP3 Sample Rate
  Bookmarks: Now shows iTunes streams
  - Recorder now uses user-supplied file extension if available
- Scheduling
  - Schedule Helper
- Misc
  - New Debugging panel
  - New 'Messages' alert window
  - Now supports Unsanity's SmartCrashReporting
  - Updated VoiceOver Effect
- Bug Fixes
  - Silence Generator now always produces stereo audio
  - Instant Hijack now prints debug messages with syslog()
  - Lots and lots and lots of bug fixes

Audio Hijack Pro v2.5.6
Released 07.08.2005
- Fixed a bug with Session List loading
- Fixed a bug with Timer display

Audio Hijack Pro v2.5.5
Released 07.06.2005
- Hijacking: Can now hijack Dashboard widgets (option-click on Application popup)
- Radio: Better hotplugging support
- Plugins: AppMixer now has Advanced and Monitor buttons
- Recording: Fixed issue with resampling causing clicks
- Recording: Fixed bug in AAC/ALAC recoders

Audio Hijack Pro v2.5.1
Released 06.01.2005
+ Instant Hijack updated to version 1.3
+ Automater Support - Audio Hijack Pro can now execute Workflows when finishing a recording, or from the Recording Bin.
+ Various improvements to timers
- Fixed a rare bug with AAC and ALAC recording
- Several other minor bug fixes
- Timers: More flexible time input
- Timers: Option-clicking a Day now selects only it
- Hijacking: New Session Conflict alert when trying to hijack two conflicting sessions
- Radio Devices: Radio views now all correctly disable when there is no radio
- Audio Devices: Improved error handling
- Other: Added 'About Audio Devices' menubar itemm
- Recorder: Now correctly writes MP3 ID3 tags longer then 127 characters
- Secret About Box: Improved!
- Fixed bug where SystemAudio would not Release correctly
- Fixed bug where Recorder would incorrectly create folders
- Fixed bug where Recorder would not always correctly finalize AAC and ALAC files

Audio Hijack Pro v2.5
Released 04.28.2005
HUGE CHANGES BELOW
Features
AppleScript: Fully Applescriptable
Audio Sources: New Radio Input source (supports RadioShark and DSB-R100)
Audio Sources: New 'System Audio' source (Soundflower)
Audio Sources: New 'Silence Input' audio input
Audio Sources: New 'Silence Output' audio output
Audio Sources: Audio Device source buffer size selector
Audio Sources: Audio Device source channel selector
Hijacking: New Advanced Fill Gaps options
Hijacking: New Suppress RealPlayer Errors preference
Other: Now uses Application Enhancers 1.5
Other: Built-in Soundflower Installer
Other: New Disk Status window
Other: New Registration window
Plugins: Application Mixer plugin
Plugins: Cocoa AudioUnit support
Plugins: AudioUnit Generators support
Plugins: VoiceOver buffer size selector
Recording Bin: New Date Created column, and various tweaks
Recording: AAC/ALAC files are now Fast-Start enabled
Recording: AAC quality selector
Recording: Silence Monitor 'Stop Recording After' option
Recording: Added strftime() variable support (%frmt_ + strftime variable)
Timers: Overlapping timer detection

Changes
AppleScript: Now supports executing resource-fork based AppleScripts
Audio Sources: Now handles Audio Device hotplugging better
Hijacking: 'Relaunch' warning dialog now skipped when invoked by a timer
Hijacking: Turning Hijacker off now turns the Recorder off too (unless you hold down Shift)
Hijacking: Instant Hijack updated to v1.4.6
Interface: Now remembers selection preferences
Interface: 'Advanced' buttons in source panes
Interface: Updated Source icons
Interface: Variables popup in the Recording pane now shows up in the text fields that support variables
Plugins: Knobs now support scrollwheels
Plugins: Plugin files now be dragged & dropped into Patch slots
Other: Now requires MacOS X 10.3.0
Other: Registration Noise now ramps up
Recording: AAC/ALAC files now have their creator code set to iTunes
Recording: Bookmarkable AACs now have use '.m4a' file extension (again)
Recording: Now creates the output folder if it is missing
Recording: Now uses LAME 3.96.1 for MP3 encoding
Recording: Adjusted MP3 Quality slider to better match recommended LAME encoder settings
Timers: Timers will now pre-empt each other if they overlap on the same target

Bug Fixes
AppleScript: Improved error recovery when executing scripts
Bookmarks: Minor fixes to bookmark parsers
Effects: Improved handling of AudioUnits with Cocoa views
Hijacking: Improved stability for some 3rd party devices
Interface: 'Application' selector popup now correctly remembers its Recent Items
Interface: 'Cancel' button in the 'Advanced Hijacking Options' dialog now correctly Cancels
Interface: Fixed Session menu to not incorrectly disable items sometimes
Interface: Fixed long-standing bug where Effects sliders would miss clicks
Other: Audio Hijack Pro 1 Presets are now only imported on the first launch
Other: Fixed bug where crashlogs were not being generated correctly
Other: Fixed many minor memory leaks
Other: Fixed bug where you were limited to 230 sessions
Plugins: Fixed "Jumping Effects" bug where Effects would move around the Patch on their own
Plugins: Fixed a crashing bug when Effects windows were closed quickly
Recording: Handles cleaning up quit better
Timers: Now handles daylight saving time better

Audio Hijack Pro v2.1.1
Released 10.20.2004

+ New 'Add to iPod' script
+ Fixed bug where one-shot timers would sometimes not end correctly
+ Fixed bug where using timers with an Audio Device would not end correctly
+ Fixed crashing bugs related to "When Finished Recording" AppleScripts
- Better error dialogs when using AppleScripts
- Better handling of RealPlayer .rm and .ram files

Audio Hijack Pro v2.1
Released 10.05.2004
+ New Channel Tweaker Plugin
+ Variables work in Tags now
+ AAC recording bitrate fixes
   - Now will display nominal instead of computed bitrate in iTunes
   - Uses correct bitrate for Mono (instead of halved bitrate)
+ AIFF recording now supports setting the sample rate
+ Added Output Device selector to the Audio Device Source
+ Main window now fits on 800x600 resolution screens
+ Updated Instant Hijack Component (v 1.2.8)
- Added Drag and Drop support to the Source area
- Added Encode to WAV with iTunes script
- ALAC files now used .m4b file extension
- Silence Monitor now accepts fractional second values
- Still ever more robust hijacking
- Registration checker now more fault tolerant
- Now handles malformed Target URLs better
- Preferences now saved more often (more crash resistant)
- Quick Record HotKeys now work for controling LineIn recording too
- Improved WindowsMedia Player bookmark reader
- Fixed a crashing bug in AutoWake
- Fixed crashes related to using AppleScripts
- Fixed bug such that empty recording names don't get used
- Fixed muted timer audio leakage bug
- Fixed bug where renaming a Session and duplicating it wouldn't preserve its name
- Fixed bug where creating Duplicates would crash
- Fixed Mute menu item to correctly update the GUI
- Fixed device popup to better handle duplicate audio devices
- Fixed bug where AHP2 wouldn't be hidden if it was made a Login Item
- Fixed bug where quitting while recording could result in corrupt AACs/ALAC
- Fixed Recording sheet Channels popup typo
- Fixed bug with Move To Trash Warning and error handling

Audio Hijack Pro v2.0
Released 07.28.2004

HUGE CHANGES BELOW
Installation: Installer no longer used, APE and Audio Hijack Server.ape are now optional installs. See 'About Instant Hijack' in the Application menu.
Startup: Holding Option at launch now will give you the 'Debugging Options' panel (as originally seen in Audio Hijack 2).
About Box: Now the Standard Rogue Amoeba about box
Registration: Now the Standard Rogue Amoeba registration window
Registration: Using new, slightly more secure 3 billion digit long (just 45, really) registration codes
Presets: Presets List and Preset Editor windows merged into one
Little Stuff: So much little behinds-the-scenes stuff that nobody can remember it all
Recording Bin itself is new
Preview
Reveal in Finder
Open in iTunes
Burn To CD
Apply AppleScript
Move To Trash
Contextual Menus
Drag & Drop re-ordering
Dynamic status line text (useful for trying to figure out how much will fit on a CD)
Variable column setup (see the little '...' button on the top-right corner)
New 3 Tab layout (replacing old 4 Triangle layout)
New Mini Level Meters that are always visible (click on it to change its mode)
Application Input: Now supports setting Target Application and Target File/URL/AppleScript as separate settings (they were just a single 'Target' setting in AHP1)
Application Input: Can now set a Target URL directly, no need to create bookmark files to hijack
Application Input: Can now set a Target AppleScript, which returns a URL to be hijacked, allowing you to dynamically generate Target URLs (as originally seen in Audio Hijack 2)
Application Input: New 'Select URL' window that allows you to pick a url right from your Bookmarks (Safari, RealPlayer and WindowsMediaPlayer).
Audio Device Input: Now integrated, no more LineIn.app
New hijacking system (as originally seen in Audio Hijack 2 and Nicecast).
Will use Audio Hijack Server.ape, if available installed, to hijack applications without having to relaunch them. Otherwise will use 'relaunch required' hijacking method.
Advanced Hijacking Options: Useful for certain applications that output multiple streams of audio, or to multiple devices. Option-Click 'Hijack' to access.
Hijacking iChat now works without any tinkering, although you only receive the other side of the conversation.
Now supports multiple timers per Preset
Now supports 'One Shot' timers that only run once
'AutoLaunch' preference, which will cause Audio Hijack Pro to launch itself as needed (no need to leave it open all day)
'AutoWake' preference, which will automatically wake the computer from sleep if needed (10.3 only, requires Administrator access).
New recording system (as originally seen in Audio Hijack 2 and Nicecast)
Supports AIFF, MP3, AAC (bookmarkable), and Apple Lossless (bookmarkable)
Supports setting MP3 quality per-preset (was global preference in AHP1)
Supports tagging of MP3, AAC and ALAC files (Title, Artist, Album, Genre, Comment, Year, Track)
More File Name Format variables
'When Finished Recording' AppleScript option (as originally seen in Audio Hijack 2)
Silence Monitor: New Silence Monitor
Silence Monitor: Remove On Silence option
Silence Monitor: Split on Silence option
Simplified recording buffer size preference
Plugins Window: Now available from the Application menu, instead of the Windows menu
Level Meters: Now with Clipping lights
Master Gain: New Master Gain control
Dry/Wet Mix: New Dry/Wet Mix control (as originally seen in Nicecast)
Patch: Effects patch now supports parallel effects routing (only did series routing before)
Patch: 'Insert Effect' menu now automatically groups effects (4FX and VSTs by their containing folders, AUs by their manufacturers)
Patch: Now supports 'selection', so you can click on an Effect and hit the Delete key to remove it
Synths: Support for VSTi and AudioUnit synths, driven by MIDI events (as originally seen in Nicecast)
New 'Auxiliary Device Output' plugin, lets you output audio to any audio device (so you can output to 2+ devices at the same time, or use Mute and just do a redirection)
New 'Side Chain Limiter' plugin. This requires an entire article in itself to explain, but it's neat, really
New 'Gain' plugin
Renamed 'NoFX' to 'PassThru'
Various bug fixes to support various 3rd party plugins better
Plugins: Support for LADSPA plugins. Thats 'Linux Audio Developers Simple Plugin API' (www.ladspa.org). And no, -I've- never heard of it either, why do you think I'm listing it last
And if all this ain't worth a $10 upgrade, I don't know what is

Audio Hijack Pro v1.3.1
Released 07.10.2004

+ Important fix for a bug introduced by the 2004-06-07 Security Update

Audio Hijack Pro v1.3
Released 04.05.2004

+ Mac OS X 10.3.3 (Panther) Support
+ Now records iTunes Crossfades
+ Added a hidden "autohidePresetsList" preference
+ Updated French.lproj
- Added warning when quitting while recording
- Bumped version number to 1.3
- Closing a Preset now correctly saves all changes
- Upgraded licensing system, now accepts AHP2 codes
- Attempted to fix plugins/NSString stringWithCString bug
- Latest versions of all libs
- Added LAME stub to LineIn

Audio Hijack Pro v1.2.6
Released 11.18.2003

+ Mac OS X 10.3.1 (Panther) Support
- Many bug fixes, including:
   - Several Presets List bugs
   - Fixed random Timer crashing bug
   - Fixed 10.1 DSP Editor bug
- Latest sw4fxNG, auverse, Protein
- Now using auverse.frmk

Audio Hijack Pro v1.2.5
Released 10.20.2003

+ OS X 10.3 (Panther) Support
+ Audio Hijack Server 1.2
+ APE 1.4.1
- libahNG & AHS 1.2
- Improved launch speed when using alot of plugins
- Attempted fixing memmove() crash

Audio Hijack Pro v1.2.4
Released 07.09.2003

+ Updated to AHS APE 1.0.4
+ Added Alert closer to close alerts after 5 minutes
+ Made Load in Plugins Window select loaded plugin
- Fixed LevelMeters redraw bug
- Converted Help to Baskerville
- Fixed log book empty-prefs bug
- Moved over to Protein framework
- Fixed crashing bug in Help window

Audio Hijack Pro v1.2.3
Released 06.10.2003

-Added Icons In Presets List
-Removed "exploding icon in popup" bug
-Fixed icon caching
-Updated to APE 1.3
-Fixed MP3 recording crash
-New 1.0.3 version of Audio Hijack Server.ape
-Smaller memory footprint
-Removed static bug with QuickTime Based apps
-Fixed more Timer-related bugs

Audio Hijack Pro v1.2
Released 05.07.2003

-Added Pipe Dream Plugin
-Updated Menu Bar Meters Plugin
-Updated Audio Hijack Server.ape
-Added German.lproj
-Updated French.lproj
-Activity Log now saves between quits
-Drag & Drop to Control Pane
-Fixed pre-hijacking Timers bug
-LineIn.app now quits on release when launched internally
-Fixed buffer prefs GUI
-Timers no longer release targets when quitting (in order to prevent unmuting)
-Fixed Timer first date display bug
-Removed non-functional 144 Kbps MP3 encoding
-Fixed some -8 errors
-Made Timers begin 4 seconds early
-Changed Status Line format for Skips

Audio Hijack Pro v1.1
Released 04.14.2003

-Added Q, VBR Q, and Buffer slider to prefs window
-Fixed Presets window dragging bug
-Changed format of Timer fire text again
-Added Split button
-Fixed bug in display of Timer fire date
-Added group boxes to everything
-Added Stop recording after options to Record pane
-Improved error handling during loading
-Made scrollbar auto show/hide
-Added Variables popup to Recording pane
-Added Start new file after opts to Recording pane
-Added new MP3 types
-Added new Channel types
-Added new AIFF types
-Bundled LineIn.app
-Added Activity Log window
-Rewrote timers to be polling
-Put in multi-audio streams fix (MOTU828)
-Lessoned audio skip when clicking 'Start Recording'
-Added multi-chan hw. fix
-Added file name variables %cy, %cd, %cd, %p
-Fixed target popup to work w/ LaunchBar
-Added 'Name and Status' to info popup

Audio Hijack Pro v1.0
Released 03.04.2003

Initial release.

Full Plugin Descriptions

About

This product uses Rogue Amoeba's SW4FX plugin architecture to provide Effects. These effects range from Equalizers to VoiceOver plugins. SW4FX works with Rogue Amoeba's own 4FX plugin format, as well as industry-standard AudioUnit and VST plugins. SW4FX now also features preliminary support for VSTi and AU synths. Read on for more details on each plugin.

For information on licensing the SW4FX system for your audio application, see our Licensing page.

4fx Plugins

10-Band Equalizer - The Equalizer amplifies or de-amplifies different frequencies to allow for precise audio tuning. Each bar can be adjusted to edit one band of the EQ, or presets may be chosen from the menu. If a custom preset is created, it may be also saved.

Application Mixer - Application Mixer enables audio from applications other than the Source to be mixed in to the audio. This is useful for mixing multiple applications into a single audio stream.

Auxiliary Device Output - The Auxiliary Device Output plugin sends the audio stream being hijacked to the specified output device. This can be useful for sending audio to multiple devices, as well as causing the application responsible for the hijacking to actually output audio (for instance, to hijack Nicecast with Audio Hijack Pro, or to transmit Audio Hijack Pro with Airfoil).

Balance - Balance alters the playback of each channel, through each of your speakers. For example, if you put balance to the far left, you'll hear only the left channel of audio, from the left speaker.

Bass And Treble - Bass And Treble affects the bass and treble for all output.

Channel Tweaker - Channel Tweaker adjusts the output of the two channels. The included options are as follows:

Swap Channels - Reverse the Right and Left channel output

Monomize - Converts a Stereo signal to Mono

Duplicate Left - Duplicates the Left channel into the Right channel

Duplicate Right - Duplicates the Right channel into the Left channel

Kill Left - Removes the Left channel

Kill Right - Removes the Right channel

Double Gain - Double Gain doubles the gain set in the Gain plugin. Use this plugin to overdrive your sound.

Gain - Gain can be used to quickly lower the gain.

Karaoke - Karaoke uses a simple (read: not always successful) algorithm to remove the vocals on songs.

Low Pass Filter - The Low Pass Filter increases the sound quality of lower quality recordings, including low bitrate radio streams.

Menu Bar Meters - Evilly Cool Menu Bar VU meters or Level meters. Kick Ass!

Mono Enhancer - The Mono Enhancer enhances the sound of audio encoded in mono to give it a stereo sound.

Monomizer - The Monomizer downmixes the sound of audio encoded in stereo channels into one mono channel. In this way, no audio is lost. This is very useful for broadcasting a mono stream.

Pan - Pan alters the balance of the left and right audio signals, shifting them from one side to the other. For example, if you set Pan to the far left, you'll hear both stereo channels out of your left speaker only.

PassThru - PassThru produces absolutely no audio effect. It will provide a quick pair of Gain knobs as needed, and can also be useful for advanced audio routing.

Pipe Dream - Pipes audio to command-line applications. Use with encoders or broadcasting servers such as icecast.

Reverb - Reverb alters the output, depending on user-defined settings, to create a live reverberated sound in the audio.

Side Chain Limiter (SCL) - The Side Chain Limiter, when used in a pair, will allow plugins to adjust audio without radically affecting its gain. Place one SCL plugin at the front of a plugin chain in Send mode, and one at the end in Receive mode, and the volume over that section will be roughly equalized, preventing dramatic adjustments. The Band allows for up to 10 different buses of audio, while the Reduction Level item acts as a level meter, displaying the work the SCLs are doing.

Swap Channels - Swap Channels swaps the output of the left and right audio channels.

Voiceover - Voiceover allows you to mix audio from your sound input source (usually a microphone) into your current audio. This is most useful for DJing a stream, allowing you to create a professional quality sound.

VU Meters - An optionally floating VU Meters window, responding to audio.

AudioUnit Plugins

The Audio Units you see inside of Nicecast are actually built in to the operating system by Apple. The following basic overviews should help you get started.

AUAudioFilePlayer - This plugin plays back audio files, including MP3, AAC, Apple Lossless and AIFF files. This plugin is a great addition for both broadcaster and podcaster, as it allows for audio such as intro music, outro music and sound clips in it to be queued up. With one click, the audio can then be played. It also has "region" support, a small part of a larger file can be set to play.(OS X 10.4 and up only)

AUBandPass - "Band Pass" refers to frequencies within a certain band (or range) being passed through, while others are blocked or de-emphasized. This allows an emphasis on high, mid or low range frequencies, for different sounds. The center frequency control adjusts the center point of the band of emphasized frequencies, while the bandwidth control adjusts the size of the band.

AUDelay - This will add repeats to audio, creating an echo. The mix of original source to echo can be adjusted with the dry/wet control, the delay control sets the gap between repeats, feedback controls the number of repetitions, and the lowpass cutoff frequency does just that, cutting out certain frequencies.

AUDynamicsProcessor - A dynamics processor alters an audio signal based on its frequency content and amplitude level. This includes compressors and expanders. The factory presets for this plugin will work well, and as will experimentation with the more complicated settings.

AUFilter - AUFilter is a combination of a Low Shelf/High Pass filter and a High Shelf/Low Pass filter. See AUHiPass and AULowpass(OS X 10.4 and up only)

AUGraphicEQ - This is a standard EQ, with a range from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, allowing the center frequency for each band to be set. However, this EQ divides that frequency range into 31 different bands, allowing for more precise the adjustments.

AUHighShelfFilter - This plugin works much like the AUBandpass filter. However, it allows low frequencies to pass, and drastically cuts off high frequencies ("shelving" them). The cutoff frequency sets where the shelf is, and the gain setting adjusts the boosting or cutting of the frequency's upper end volume.

AUHiPass - This filter reduces low frequencies and passes high frequencies through. It will reduce low rumbles in audio, for example from engines or air conditioner units. The settings allow for adjusting where exactly the cutoff occurs.

AULowPass - This is the opposite of the AUHiPass filter, reducing high frequencies and passing through low ones. This too can eliminate undesired noise, specifically high-pitched noises such as tape hiss and machine noise. It can also improve the quality on low-end microphones. Again, the settings allow for adjusting where exactly the cutoff occurs.

AULowShelfFilter - This plugin is the opposite of the AUHighShelfFilter, but again works much like AUBandPass. It allows high frequencies to pass, and drastically cuts off low frequencies. It can be used, like the AUHiPass, for dealing with low frequency rumbles. The cutoff frequency again sets where the shelf is, and the gain setting adjusts the boosting or cutting of the frequency's upper end volume.

AUMatrixReverb - This plugin can create a wide range of reverb effects. The best bet with this is to experiment, as there are many controls, and many different reverbs can be obtained. One tip to note, to obtain more pronounced reverb effects, set control sliders higher.

AUMultibandCompressor - A compressor will reduce the range of your audio signal, compressing the high and low ends towards the middle. This particular compressor allows compression on multiple bands, through complicated controls. Again, experimentation will help here, as well as using the preset controls for this plugin.

AUNetReceive - AUNetReceive works in a pair with AUNetSend to receive audio from one location to another. AUNetReceive finds AUNetSend transmissions over Bonjour and inserts the audio into the stream.(OS X 10.4 and up only)

AUNetSend - AUNetSend works in a pair with AUNetReceive to send audio from one location to another. AUNetSend can send this audio in a variety of formats: uncompressed AIFF, Apple Lossless, compressed AIFF, and AAC. On a fast network or between two applications, sending via Apple Lossless is your best bet. Otherwise you can drop down to a high-bitate AAC to save on bandwidth (but with a CPU hit). (OS X 10.4 and up only)

AUParametricEQ - The parametric EQ simply allows a signal's amplitude to be boosted or dropped in a given frequency range. It works like a one band EQ, with an adjustable Quality Of Filter (Q).

AUPeakLimiter - The peak limiter smoothes the volume on all frequencies, compressing the volume and reducing the dynamic range to prevent volume increases. The attack and decay settings specify how quick the volume level is adjusted following a change in levels.

AUPitch - AUPitch is a "Pitch And Speed" plugin (pictured right), with 24 different parameters. The first setting, Pitch, is the most important and will enable the adjustment of the pitch of incoming audio. (OS X 10.4 and up only)

AUSampleDelay - AUSampleDelay is similar to AUDelay, in that it buffers audio to add a delay. The difference between the two is that with AUDelay, the delay time is set as a number of seconds, while AUSampleDelay sets the delay time as a count of audio samples. Most people will want AUDelay, as AUSampleDelay is really only useful when doing sample-accurate audio work. (OS X 10.4 and up only)

AuScheduledSoundPlayer - Unknown. (OS X 10.4 and up only)

VST Plugins

The included VST plugins come courtesy of mda and Green Oak, and Rogue Amoeba is much obliged to these companies. For more information, please see mda-vst.com and greenoak.com

LADSPA Plugins
Audio Hijack Pro is one of the first applications on OS X to support the Linux Audio Developer's Simple Plugin API (LADSPA) plugin format. The included LADSPA plugins are detailed below. More information is available from http://plugin.org.uk/. The text below is taken from Steve Harris' LADSPA Plugin Docs.

Declipper
Removes nasty clicks from input signals, not very kind to them though.

DJ EQ
The design for this plugin is taken from the Allen & Heath Xone 32 DJ mixer.

Lo gain (dB) - Controls the gain of the low (100Hz) peak/dip band

Mid gain (dB) - Controls the gain of the mid (1000Hz) peak/dip band

Hi gain (dB) - Controls the gain of the high (10000Hz) shelf band

DJ Flanger
This is a flanger which is more or less typical of DJ mixing desks.

LFO sync - When turned from off to on it resets the phase of the LFO back to the start of the cycle. Used to sync the LFO to the track.

LFO period (s) - The cycle period of the LFO in seconds.

LFO depth (ms) - The maximum delay the LFO will use to flange, in milliseconds.

L/C/R Delay
This is a left/centre/right delay with feedback, based on the one in the Korg Trinity. Requested by Marek Peteraj.

L delay (ms) - The delay of the left output in milliseconds.

L level - The level of the left output.

C delay (ms) - The delay of the centre output in milliseconds.

C level - The level of the centre output.

R delay (ms) - The delay of the right output in milliseconds.

R level - The level of the right output.

Feedback - The amount of the C delay output that is mixed back into the delay.

High damp (%) - The damping of the high frequencies in the feedback path.

Low damp (%) - The damping of the low frequencies in the feedback path.

Spread - The width of the stereo image.

Dry/Wet level - The amounts of the input and effect mixed to produce the output.

VyNil (Vinyl Effect)

Year - The date of the recording/playback equipment to be simulated.

RPM - The rotational speed of the platter.

Surface warping - The degree of variation in height of the record surface.

Crackle - The number of scratches on the record surface.

Wear - The amount of wear on the grooves.