Recording Skype

[X Pat Radio]

How would I record Skype using 2 sound cards? I am running audio though a Mackie 1402 VLZ PRO mixer.

[ElNacho]

2 sound cards? sounds overly-extra complicated

you could ask jvond, though, he's working with 3...yeah, crazy i know

[X Pat Radio]

2 sound cards? sounds overly-extra complicated

you could ask jvond, though, he's working with 3...yeah, crazy i know

Well I am adding a firewire interface, so I'll have that and the soundbalaster card.

[Steev]

If your mixer has aux-sends and aux-returns, you can send some of your channels to the second sound card, and configure Skype to use that audio interface. That's what I'm doing.

[X Pat Radio]

If your mixer has aux-sends and aux-returns, you can send some of your channels to the second sound card, and configure Skype to use that audio interface. That's what I'm doing.

The mixer has 2 AUX sends / returns.

[Steev]

So, from the primary sound card, I have the output going into one of the stereo channels on my mixer, and the main outputs of the mixer going into the line input of the primary sound card. Then, I have one of the aux sends going into the line in of the secondary sound card, and the output of the secondary sound card goes into the aux-return. You can then go to the Options / Sound Devices tab in Skype and set it to use your secondary sound card.

On my mixer, I can then "dial" up certain channels to send to the aux-send and mix the aux-return into the final mix. What you want to do is send basically every channel to the aux-send. My mixer also has an option to pipe the aux-return to the aux-send, which you do NOT want to do.

In this way, the callers on Skype will hear everything from all the channels on the mixer, but NOT their own voice (so they don't get that horrible feedback echo), and the caller's voice will just get mixed into the final mix.

Does that make sense?

[JanesDaddy]

I do the same as Steve said.

Primary sound card output to a pair of channels on the mixer. Output of mixer to line-in of primary card (nothing unusual so far).

Then Aux Send from mixer to secondary (Skype) soundcard (I use the Mic In port, which works better for me than Line In - it's mono not stereo anyway). Output from secondary soundcard goes to Aux Return on mixer. Some software, like GoogleTalk, will let you specify the card, but will automatically use the Mic In without letting you specify the Line In. Since I use both GoogleTalk and Skype, it's easier to use Line In than keep switching the cable on the back of the PC.

That way, you can selectively send just your own voice, and/or your effects, and/or other sounds/music to your Skype partner.

[X Pat Radio]

Why would you need to use the AUX return? Maybe I'm wrong, but wouldn't you have the second sound card output go into a stereo input on the mixer, and have the aux send go to the input on the second card? Then send everything to the aux send but not the input from the second card.

Is that possible, or am I just lost?

[Steev]

That's basically the same thing. When you strip it down to brass tacks, the aux-return is just another input. I just like keeping the aux-send/aux-return as a pair.

[X Pat Radio]

That's basically the same thing. When you strip it down to brass tacks, the aux-return is just another input. I just like keeping the aux-send/aux-return as a pair.

According to my Mackie manual, AUX sends and AUX returns are not related at all. I think if you use AUX return, its harder to adjust the volume and EQ settings.

At least you have me on the right track.

[JanesDaddy]

Since the return from your Skype partner is usually mono only, Aux Return works well for the following reason.

Most people are on a tight budget, and therefore buy a mixer with few channels/busses. Using Aux Return helps keep a (pair of) channel open for other inputs. It also avoids the possibility that you might accidentally feed the Skype output into a mixer channel and BACK to the Aux Send.

I've done it both ways and, like Steve says, it's just nice (psychologically) to have them as a pair. On a Mackie mixer, you have volume control on the Aux Return anyway. If you have an effects/dynamics processor of some kind, it can be placed between the Send and Return.

Personally, I think having a separate sound card for Skype/GoogleTalk is the way to go. I got mine accidentally, and am happy I did. It gives you great flexibility in recording, much better than a software solution.

[X Pat Radio]

So it can be done both ways, which is cool.

I ordered a Behringer firewire interface, probably not the worlds best, but it got rave reviews. I don't need the mic preamps and such on the more expensive units...and I don't have that much money.