Recently Google announced that they would be including access to MP3s of songs in their search results. Now when you’re looking for the latest Green Day song the only thing you need to do is search for it with Google. The first results will include a play button and access to quickly listen to the music.
The main business model behind including songs at the top of search results is to provide another way for individuals to be able to quickly purchase the music. However, Google’s Music Search also provides a great way to allow for quick and easy access to free MP3s.
It is clear that Google and the RIAA didn’t intend to have the music they are providing to users through search results be the easiest way for people to get the latest copies of the songs they love but in reality, the new functionality provided just that. With the modern computer and software easily available on the Mac, recording the streaming music is just a few clicks away.
Google Music Search Cookies
Google clearly is doing their best (or taking the easy approach to reduce the likelihood of this occurring) to limit the copying of the music provided through iLike, Lala, MySpace, and others by dropping a “Cookie” to your computer every time you play a song through their services. These cookies are designed to keep you from playing complete songs over and over again. After playing once, most music will only be available for 30 second clips, but include a number of options to allow individuals to purchase the music.
This can easily be by-passed by removing the cookies from your browser and clearing your cache. This will allow you to play the music over and over again, you’ll just have to remove the cookie every time the song length is limited.
Create Free MP3s With Google Music Search
Now that you know how to get to the songs available via Google Search as many times as you need, its time to create copies of the music you love most.
For Mac users, recording audio from applications is quick and easy. Audio Hijack Pro, an application that is free to record 10 minute audio tracks, allows users to set recordings from microphones, speakers, or directly from audio produced by an application. By combining Audio Hijack Pro, Safari, and Google Music Search you can create Free MP3s in the time it takes to play the song you’re looking for.
To Create Free MP3s:
- Install and Open Audio Hijack Pro
- In the Input Field, select Application and then select Safari as the Application.
- Select where you’d like to save audio recordings and how you’d like the file to be named
- Next Select Hijack and then Record. The recording won’t start until the application starts processing audio files.
- Open Safari and navigate to Google. Search for the name of a band you like or a particular song you’d like to record
- Once the search results appear, select the play button next to the song you’d like to record. As the music starts to play you’ll notice that Audio Hijack Pro is recording the audio.
- Wait for the song to finish and then stop the recording on Audio Hijack Pro. The application isn’t smart enough to know to stop recording automatically once audio stops playing
- To confirm that the song recorded accurately, navigate to where you saved the recording and play it. The file will sound as good as the streaming audio presented to you by Google
Feel free to rename the files to the structure you like, and download album art after you include the song into your iTunes collection.
Is This Legal?
While I’m not a lawyer, I believe that as long as the recordings you make are for personal use, you’re protected by the Audio Home Recording Act of 1992. This law allows you to record digitally audio tracks as long as the recordings are for personal use only.
Additionally, Google and the RIAA are providing the streams to you through their services. You’re simply recording the audio created by an application on your computer. If you’re concerned, be sure to check with your legal council to decided if you’re in the right to make the recordings.
It appears as if the good old day of recording songs from the radio have entered the Digital Age. Thanks to our friends at Google, the RIAA, and Audio Hijack Pro.
