Requesting Suggestions for Recording Telephone Interviews on Skype at DVinfo.net

Phil Bundy · March 13th, 2008, 01:16 AM

I have been told that Skype allows for recording telephone conversations. At the end of next week, I hope to use the technology to record a telephone interview. I will also be videotaping my end of the interview for possible inclusion in a short documentary.

I will be testing during the first part of next week, but at this point, I plan on using a Tram TR-50 wired lav and a simple set of earphones for my audio into the computer. I also have a Sennheiser Evolution G2 100 Series - UHF Lavalier System that I can hook-up to record my audio to the camcorder for back-up. The camcorder as well as a smaller second camera will be set-up to frame me with the computer and surroundings. I also may use a non-working telephone handset as a prop to convey telephone call in the video.

I am all ears for any helpful suggestions.

Thanks!

Phil Bundy
www.EmbeddedGolfer.com

Jeff Lower · March 13th, 2008, 08:13 AM

Hi Phil,

This might not be the type of suggestion your looking for, but here goes. I've had great success using two computers, one to run Skype, and another to carry the burden of actually recording the audio. I use a mixer to connect the audio between the two.

Another suggestion I have is to make sure that your Skype is not being used as a supernode. Here is a link to skype's explanation of it and how to turn it off (http://www.skype.com/security/universities/).

Seth Bloombaum · March 13th, 2008, 11:30 AM

Skype allows recording, but does not provide the recording function itself. You need another application to record with.

Here's some good info on the basics.

Here's a "video" by the same authors.

Basics include using a good usb headset for good sound. This is by comparison to the cheap noisy soundcards and cheap lousy analog headsets that most people would think to buy.

To use your Tram, you'll want a good signal chain that converts to digital before hitting the computer, or, have a high-quality sound card. Generally, you don't want to use the "value" soundcard that comes with most desktop or laptop computers.

The recommendations in the above links are somewhat mac-centric. I'm using Pamela on my pc, it's good. I'd also check out Total Recorder (pc). You do need a recording application that has its claws in Skype. I tried with several pro apps I have, but the ones designed to work with Skype and similar programs are what you want for recording.

A basic good practice is to enable two-channel recording. This means that your local audio will be on one channel, and the remote audio on another channel of the file, allowing balancing the volumes later.

There's a thousand other things to get good audio recorded, but off the top of my head those are the unique skype issues. I do this every week - it works pretty well.

BTW, Jeff's suggestion about turning off "supernode" is at odds with the recommendations in the linked article and video. There, they talk about the advantage of direct connection (supernode) as being much lower in latency than a standard relay connection, that usually has 4 hops between local and remote. Skype sets up default with supernode off, which is a good place to start and see if you have latency problems. If so, refer to the linked info above.

Jimmy Tuffrey · March 13th, 2008, 02:06 PM

Audio Hijack is an interesting program as it is designed to get in on the driver level and works well on the Mac platform.

You don't say which computer software you run.

Matt Davis · March 14th, 2008, 07:49 AM

For Mac users, it's a treat. You get each participant on a separate audio track. It also records video.

http://www.ecamm.com/mac/callrecorder/

"Does exactly what it says on the tin"

March 13th, 2008, 01:16 AM	#1
Phil Bundy New Boot Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 12	Requesting Suggestions for Recording Telephone Interviews on Skype I have been told that Skype allows for recording telephone conversations. At the end of next week, I hope to use the technology to record a telephone interview. I will also be videotaping my end of the interview for possible inclusion in a short documentary. I will be testing during the first part of next week, but at this point, I plan on using a Tram TR-50 wired lav and a simple set of earphones for my audio into the computer. I also have a Sennheiser Evolution G2 100 Series - UHF Lavalier System that I can hook-up to record my audio to the camcorder for back-up. The camcorder as well as a smaller second camera will be set-up to frame me with the computer and surroundings. I also may use a non-working telephone handset as a prop to convey telephone call in the video. I am all ears for any helpful suggestions. Thanks! Phil Bundy www.EmbeddedGolfer.com Last edited by Phil Bundy; March 13th, 2008 at 01:25 AM. Reason: Update

March 14th, 2008, 07:49 AM	#5
Matt Davis Trustee Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 1,562	Skype Recorder For Mac users, it's a treat. You get each participant on a separate audio track. It also records video. http://www.ecamm.com/mac/callrecorder/ "Does exactly what it says on the tin"

March 13th, 2008, 08:13 AM	#2
Jeff Lower Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 36	Hi Phil, This might not be the type of suggestion your looking for, but here goes. I've had great success using two computers, one to run Skype, and another to carry the burden of actually recording the audio. I use a mixer to connect the audio between the two. Another suggestion I have is to make sure that your Skype is not being used as a supernode. Here is a link to skype's explanation of it and how to turn it off (http://www.skype.com/security/universities/).

March 13th, 2008, 11:30 AM	#3
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Skype allows recording, but does not provide the recording function itself. You need another application to record with. Here's some good info on the basics. Here's a "video" by the same authors. Basics include using a good usb headset for good sound. This is by comparison to the cheap noisy soundcards and cheap lousy analog headsets that most people would think to buy. To use your Tram, you'll want a good signal chain that converts to digital before hitting the computer, or, have a high-quality sound card. Generally, you don't want to use the "value" soundcard that comes with most desktop or laptop computers. The recommendations in the above links are somewhat mac-centric. I'm using Pamela on my pc, it's good. I'd also check out Total Recorder (pc). You do need a recording application that has its claws in Skype. I tried with several pro apps I have, but the ones designed to work with Skype and similar programs are what you want for recording. A basic good practice is to enable two-channel recording. This means that your local audio will be on one channel, and the remote audio on another channel of the file, allowing balancing the volumes later. There's a thousand other things to get good audio recorded, but off the top of my head those are the unique skype issues. I do this every week - it works pretty well. BTW, Jeff's suggestion about turning off "supernode" is at odds with the recommendations in the linked article and video. There, they talk about the advantage of direct connection (supernode) as being much lower in latency than a standard relay connection, that usually has 4 hops between local and remote. Skype sets up default with supernode off, which is a good place to start and see if you have latency problems. If so, refer to the linked info above.

March 13th, 2008, 02:06 PM	#4
Jimmy Tuffrey Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bristol U.K. Posts: 244	Audio Hijack is an interesting program as it is designed to get in on the driver level and works well on the Mac platform. You don't say which computer software you run.