# rtl_sdr > Raw data recorder for RTL-SDR receivers. > Data is encoded using I/Q sampling (aka quadrature sampling). > More information: . - Save RAW data from a frequency (specified in Hz) to a file: `rtl_sdr -f {{100000000}} {{path/to/file}}` - Pipe data to another program: `rtl_sdr -f {{100000000}} - | {{aplay}}` - Read a specified number of samples: `rtl_sdr -f {{100000000}} -n {{20}} -` - Specify the sample rate in Hz (ranges 225001-300000 and 900001-3200000): `rtl_sdr -f {{100000000}} -s {{2400000}} -` - Specify the device by its index: `rtl_sdr -f {{100000000}} -d {{0}} -` - Specify the gain: `rtl_sdr -f {{100000000}} -g {{20}} -` - Specify the output block size: `rtl_sdr -f {{100000000}} -b {{9999999}} -` - Use synchronous output: `rtl_sdr -f {{100000000}} -S -`