The virtual driver provides the advantage of recording audio reproduced by an external program (including Internet broadcasts) directly in digital format, i.e. without digital-analog-digital conversions leading to loss of quality, and even in those cases when a computer soundcard has no loop-back line (e.g.

They can be used for removing distortions such as clicks, and crackles, providing high-quality restoration of audio recorded from LPs, tapes, and microphones, enhancing the recording and playback of both the music and the spoken word, mixing operations, and performing other sound processing.

The only hassle with Total Recorder is that it usually gives files generic names, and it doesn't have a title lookup engine, so you'll need to tag tracks by hand."

Any number of different recording sources can be established, including the file format to be used, and can be selected quickly."

This eliminates the possibility of spending 20 minutes recording a stream off the Net only to have those “bings”, “dings” and other annoying Windows sounds showing up in the final mix."