Here are some suggestions for using WaveSurfer to record the audio of streaming media as a .wav file. The goal is to make recordings for linguistic analysis from speeches at places like www.whitehouse.gov or www.cspan.org, or to record speech samples from radio shows available in streaming form.

1. Set preferences, via File>>Preferences.

Specifically,

The default "Input device" and "Output device" are probably OK -- but if things don't work, you might try changing this. Close the "Preferences" window by hitting "Okay".

2. Start playing some streaming media -- RealAudio or Windows Media Player or QuickTime or whatever. You can find an example (for instance) here.

3. Hit the red circle button in Wavesurfer to start recording. You should see a variable waveform streaming along as the recording procedes. Stop the recording after a few seconds, and start a waveform pane in order to check the levels. The signal should be at least -10,000 to +10,000 or so -- if it's much smaller than that, adjust the recording levels up; if it's clipped, adjust the levels down. (You can adjust the levels in the playback window, whatever it is, or by starting up whatever audio control panel your operating system gives you.)

4. Once you have the levels set appropriately, start recording from the beginning of the section of interest to you, and record to the end.

5. Save the recording via File>>Save as.