Alternative to Skype...anyone tried Phone recording software

[PCOSGurl]

As I've mentioned in other posts, my podcast depends on phone interviews, but I'm not quite sold on the whole 'skype' thing. (it sounds complicated.)

Do any of you have experience with voice recording software and land lines?

Records calls to MP3 files:
http://www.allformp3.com/record-phone-conversation.htm

Records calls to WAV files:
http://www.handyarchive.com/Business/Telephony/9051-TRx-Personal-Phone-Call-Recorder.html
http://www.teley.com/products/redcall/

Article discussing two of the applications mentioned above:
http://www.globaljournalist.org/magazine/2004-1/tech-notes.html

[cid92]

If you're running a mixing board of any type you could run the phone line in through that. Even if you don't have one, you can get a really small 2 to 4 channel board very cheap and it will work. No additional software needed since it's fed right into your recording software as you go.

[PCOSGurl]

I ended up not getting a mixer. Instead I'm using an mbox and ProTools software.

That said, the mixers are cheap enough. Do you think that "Phone line + Mixer" will provide better audio than "Phone line + Recording Software"?

The other thing I like about one of the 'above' software programs is that it records the conversation and saves it as an mp3 file - so there's one less step (I think). Am I off base here?

BTW, how is the mixer connected to the phone line?

[PCOSGurl]

That said, the mixers are cheap enough. Do you think that "Phone line + Mixer" will provide better audio than "Phone line + Recording Software"?
Actually, now that I think about it, I think that was a stupid question...

The mixer option would provide better quality audio...(I'm assuming)

SO...moving on from there...

I'm still VERY unclear as to how this all hooks up...

I'm using a PC, and have a SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio soundcard (it has a small audio jack input that I can't plug my MXL 990 mix into...). Is this soundcard enough? (I don't want to have to buy a SoundBlaster)

I'm assuming that I need a computer mic and headset to plug into the soundcard? Or can I plug my 'good' mix into the mixer?

After that, what hooks up to where? Does the mixer hook into my mBox? How does the phone get hooked into the mixer?

Sorry for all the questions... :(

[Craig]

Skype is a crap shoot...it can sound really good and it can sound awful. Recording off the phone line, assuming you're willing to invest in a decent telephone interface (not something from Radio Shack) is going to give you middle-of-the-road quality at best. Whatever you do, record your end of the conversation using your mic and only use Skype for the person you're interviewing.

Your best results are going to come when the other person you're interviewing has a mic (even if it's just the built-in on their computer) and can record their end of the conversation using that and send you an MP3. You can then mix that in with your side of the conversation and you'll get much better quality than the phone line or Skype. (This technique is known in traditional broadcasting as a "double-ender" and has been around for decades.)

Craig

[PCOSGurl]

What about something like this?

http://www.spyemporium.com/digital_audio_recorders_voice_22_hours_mp3_DDR_306 4.html

Or this?

http://www.ahernstore.com/phone2pcbasic.html

[Craig]

Both are one step up from holding a microphone next to you telephone's handset and both are overpriced for the quality you'll get. If you want a portable solution then get an iRiver iFP-795 and cell phone/land line recording adapters from Radio Shack. You get the same quality and a much more versatile recorder.

If you want to record to your computer and you can't use the double-ender technique I mentioned then look into somethink like JK Audio's QuickTap:

http://www.bswusa.com/proditem.asp?item=QUICKTAP

Better than Radio Shack, not as good as a hybrid, which would be your next step up (for $250+). Still record your end of the conversation with a mic though...it sounds a lot more professional.

Craig

[PCOSGurl]

The double end solution won't work for me, as most of my 'interviewees' will be doctors and won't have a mic on their end...

So I'm down to 2 options:

iRiver + a phone adaptor (I need an iRiver, anyway...)

QuickTap + another phone (all of mine are cordless w/ keypad in handset :( )

Do you think that this might be an option?
http://www.telephonerecording.com/prodDetails.asp?ProductID=187
(and that's my last question about this topic...I'm ready to settle on something and get to the business of podcasting :D )

Acutally...one more question ;)

What does the $250 solution look like (not that I'm going $250 anytime soon...)

[allthewhile]

If you get an iriver, you really don't need a phone adapter. Check out how I do it with skype:

I talk into my mic:

http://photos8.flickr.com/11886515_2c98f88769_m.jpg

I send my mic directly to my Eurorack mixer:

http://photos6.flickr.com/11886418_51173f53b2_m.jpg

I send my mixer to my sound in on my audio card (the cord on the right) while my audio out goes to my speakers (cord on the left).

http://photos11.flickr.com/11886463_5a211e9190_m.jpg

I then have a line running from my speaker

http://photos7.flickr.com/11886479_2e92686df4_m.jpg

To the line in on my iRiver:

http://photos10.flickr.com/11886485_324f89452c_m.jpg

While the line out of my Iriver goes directly to these bad boys:

http://photos7.flickr.com/11886492_314369967f_m.jpg

Just make sure you can hear your own voice and the speaker through the headphones, and iriver should record it. With a little noise removal, here's what a good recording can sound like:

http://libsyn.com/media/catholic/AUDIO024_(2).MP3

[Craig]

No, that's going to give you a recorder with less features and poorer recording quality than an iRiver. Get the iRiver plus the same adapter that comes with the kit:

http://www.dynametric.com/productDetails.asp?ProductID=89

(I'm assuming this works with the handsets you have...you may want to call and check. If not, buy a $10 phone.)

Here's one of the $250 units:

http://www.jkaudio.com/inline-patch.htm

If you decide to experiment with Skype first, you'll need a SkypeOut account to allow you to place Skype calls to regular phones and then a degree in rocket science to figure out Jayson's setup.

Craig

[PCOSGurl]

With a little noise removal, here's what a good recording can sound like:

http://libsyn.com/media/catholic/AUDIO024_(2).MP3
Thanks for the photos - VERY helpful. The clip sounds really good to me. Do you experience any of the problems with Skpe that the others do? (IE echos?)

...you'll need {snip} a degree in rocket science to figure out Jayson's setup.

That's what I'm afraid of... :?

On the bright side, the rest of my 'stuff' is set up, and I've already recorded some 'pre podcasts'...as soon as the phone interview 'issue' is resolved, I'll be cooking with gas! :)

[Craig]

[quote=Craig]...you'll need {snip} a degree in rocket science to figure out Jayson's setup.

That's what I'm afraid of... :?
I was just kidding. Send a few emails back and forth with him and you should have it all worked out in no time.

Craig

[PCOSGurl]

I send my mixer to my sound in on my audio card (the cord on the right) while my audio out goes to my speakers (cord on the left).

http://photos11.flickr.com/11886463_5a211e9190_m.jpg

I then have a line running from my speaker

http://photos7.flickr.com/11886479_2e92686df4_m.jpg

To the line in on my iRiver:


Ok...here's where I'm lost... My speakers only have a OUTPUT plug. I get that this is what goes into the iRiver, but I'm lost as to how the speakers connect to the computer AND the iRiver....

EDITED TO ADD:
I think I see how you did it. Your speakers have a headphone jack (mine don't :( )

[Craig]

You don't need the speakers...go directly from the computer line out to the iRiver line in when you're recording (it's cleaner that way anyway). The way he has it hooked up just makes it so he doesn't have to unplug his speakers and plug in the iriver when he wants to record. You could accomplish the same thing with a headphone splitter cable from Radio Shack plugged into the computer's line out.

Craig

[PCOSGurl]

Well...I'm halfway there.

When I do the Skype "test call" I'm getting the Operator's voice loud and clear on my iRiver, but I haven't figured out how to get my voice as part of the conversation... :cry:

[PCOSGurl]

Just make sure you can hear your own voice and the speaker through the headphones...
I'm getting the operator, but can't seem to get my voice via the mix and the mixer.

Here's what I'm doing:

- "good" microphone plugged into LINE IN 1 on the EuroRack
- Cord plugged into the PHONES output on the EuroRack and the other end into the LINE IN on the back of my computer
- Computer speakers plugged into the SPEAKER output on the computer
- Cord going from the computer speakers to the LINE IN on the iRiver
- Headphones plugged into the headphones output on the iRiver

Any advice?

Note: If I use a computer mic plugged into the MIC input of the computer, I can get both voices (but I don't sound too good...)

[PCOSGurl]

:lol: I've figured it out!!! :lol: (I think)

I disconnected the mixer and did this set up:

- "good" Microphone plugged into the LINE IN on my mBox

- Cord connecting the HEADPHONE OUTPUT from the mBox to the MIC INPUT on the back of my computer

- Cord connecting the SPEAKER OUTPUT to the LINE IN on my iRiver

- Headphones plugged into the HEADPHONE output on the iRiver

I adjust my voice using the headphone volume on the mBox. Using this setup, I was able to capture both my voice and the Skype Operator when I run the test call.

For some reason, my Skype Out account hasn't completed the set up yet (I think because I paid with PayPal), so I can't test S.O. yet, but I think the problem is solved. (I'm just hoping that I won't be too loud or soft to my callers, but I'll test that later.)

I might also run a separate 'clean' track of my voice into ProTools during the conversation...just in case I need to cut and paste...

Thanks for everyone's help!! :)

[TINKOFF RADIO]

Here's a very old trick that works better than expected in a pinch.

1) Get a full duplex speaker phone and make the call.
2) Place one mic above the speaker phone and run it into your mixer.
3) Speak normally into your main mic - which also runs into the mixer.
3a) If you only have 1 mic place it between you and the speaker phone.
4) The caller hears you through the mic on the speaker phone.
5) The caller will be recorded by the mic near the speaker phone.
6) Your voice will get recorded on the mic and sound great.
7) Run everything either into your computer or iRiver - and you are all set.

Low tech solution that sounds not too shabby. No rocket scientist required.
- just a speaker phone and a quiet room.

Adam Tinkoff

[DVDTalk]

We do our interviews on DVDTalk Radio w/ a mic suspended in front of a speakerphone. It IS low tech, but I think it sounds pretty good.

our latest: http://www.dvdtalkradio.com/player.html

[TINKOFF RADIO]

Mr. DVD Talk Radio,
Excellent example of how the low tech speaker phone technique works like a charm - also you have an AWESOME program, nice stuff! Impressive. This trick has been used for years by low budget radio stations, and notice how the interview lacks the typical Skype moment... "****, this worked in the test, hold on while I call you back... etc." Low tech can very often be your best solution. Keep it simple..


Adam Tinkoff

[PCOSGurl]

We do our interviews on DVDTalk Radio w/ a mic suspended in front of a speakerphone. It IS low tech, but I think it sounds pretty good.

our latest: http://www.dvdtalkradio.com/player.html
Holy smokes! That DOES sound good!! :o

Mr. DVD Talk Radio,
Excellent example of how the low tech speaker phone technique works like a charm - also you have an AWESOME program, nice stuff! Impressive.
I agree!

...notice how the interview lacks the typical Skype moment... "****, this worked in the test, hold on while I call you back... etc."
I was wondering (and worrying) about that...

Low tech can very often be your best solution. Keep it simple..
Amen. :!: