Skype Journal: Call Recording - Windows
February 25, 2005 10:51 AMMany Skypers want to record their Skype conversations, turn them into podcasts etc. Some of these solutions work. More often than not the first time you try it you only record the caller and not yourself. Then next step often leads you to hearing yourself talking when recording. Something I find distracting. It is why we went to such lengths to make it work SkypeCasting. Soon there will be integrated solutions that make recording Skype Calls as easy as pressing a record button. For now that remains difficult.
These are the key reference links:
1. A solution for recording on just one machine.
Skype+Podcast=SkypeCasting.
Skype Forum Link 1 (There is more than one thread in the forums)
2. Simple recording solution which means you will be listening to your own echo. More on Skype Recording links to Julian Bond's solution which will work with Windows Sound Recorder and many other recorders.
3. Recording with an extra sound card is possible. In this example two profiles were still used to create the recording. The output from the recorder profile was sent via a USB soundcard to an iPod with iTalk installed. Quality only so so.
4. Unfortunately current answer machines that work with Skype are set to only record for a very limited time. Typically 1 to 3 minutes. Were SAM or Pamela able to record for a longer period you could call another PC with it installed and use it to record your conversation.
5. The ugly and simplest solution is to simple use a desk mic and destop speakers and put an old recorder on your desk and push play. It may be good enough for interview notes. It's unlikely to work well for a podcast.
6. The podcasting world is rapidly evolving. New approaches are released almost daily. There are many setups that use multiple PC's or more sophisticated mixing equipment. If you have that sort of studio then you probably already have a solution.
Finally remember that recording calls may be illegal and you should always ask for permission first.
TrackBack (4)
» links for 2005-04-02 from A Whole Lotta Nothing
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Tracked on April 2, 2005 12:17 AM
» Record your Skype calls from Lifehacker
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Comments (22)
Total Recorder is very close to making this work. Unfortunately the latest version didn't work for me... They have a sound driver that should be able to access both the Wav out signal and the Mic signal independently. And the latest Total Recorder has settings specifically aimed at VOIP recording. But it wouldn't play nicely with Skype and refused to record when using the driver. It worked fine using the standard windows driver but then we're back to problems with level setting and getting the Mic played back in the headphones.
Posted by: Julian Bond at March 3, 2005 11:23 PM
Most of the modern sound cards have option to record mix which will capture output signal from wave channel AND input signal from microphone channel.
Just select "Stereo Mix" or whatever mix option you have and record with Cooledit or and that's it.
Tried it, it works perfectly when levels are all set properly. You might want to turn off mic boost if there is any and raise the level on the "Record" panel and then lower the level on "Volume" panel so there is no microphony / echo.
Posted by: Sinisa at April 2, 2005 1:57 AM
I haven't yet tried this but ARW seems to work with just about everything!
Audio Record Wizard from http://www.nowsmart.com/arwizard/
Posted by: theboss_uk at April 8, 2005 12:31 PM
Hotrecorder works great!
Posted by: Mark Ramsey at June 2, 2005 3:57 PM
So, what will you use to record video conversations?
Posted by: Phil Wolff at June 3, 2005 9:35 AM
In the UK, if you're recording a conversation and intend to make it available to a third party (e.g. podcasting) make sure the other person on the call has consented to it being recorded.
Posted by: Andrew W at July 14, 2005 4:29 AM
Skylook offers a very simple to set up feature that saves all Skype conversations automatically to a folder in Outlook (as MP3 attachments). You need Outlook 2000/XP/2003 + Skype 1.2 or later. www.skylook.biz
Posted by: Paul Andrews at August 2, 2005 6:53 AM
Here is a screenshot which shows exactly how to record a call with Skype (or any program) and Virtual Audio Cable. I think it's easier to follow than other descriptions. A picture is worth a thousand words...
Posted by: Poor Yorick at September 25, 2005 10:11 AM
Hi, try our PowerGramo solution on windows. www.powergramo.com
I am confident enough that it's he most convenient one in the world.
Best
Jirong
Posted by: Jirong Zhou ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.skypejournal.com/blog/nav-commenters.gif)
at October 11, 2005 4:50 PM
I don't, I've tried all of the above suggestions, but the best solution as for now currently seems HotRecorder v.2.01.
It works with Skype, Google Talk, Net2phone, AIM, Yahoo! Messenger and Firefly.
The basic version is free and allows up to 1 minute of voice recording.
HotRecorder saves the call in a proprietary format (ELP), which is about the 10% of the same MP3 file, but it can be easy converted in WAV or OGG with the convert tool available in the registered version (now offered at $14.00).
You can also use AudioCity + HotRecorder of course, to save your calls in MP3 format even in the free version.
More infos at: http://www.hotrecorder.com
Posted by: Bob at November 27, 2005 9:02 PM
Check this solution:
Posted by: Michiel at December 8, 2005 12:35 PM
I've used the basic version of total recorder many times and it works fine to record skype calls. Audio and Mic have to be be set to record/audio through total recorder and then in total recorder you have to set the source menu option to the software->telephony selection. For $12 total recorder is a steal and has many other features such as recording streaming audio to mp3. http://www.totalrecorder.com
Posted by: trfan at January 1, 2006 1:07 PM
This works http://www.powergramo.com/ and also this too http://www.abyssmedia.com/
Posted by: Phil Blancett at January 2, 2006 3:55 PM
PowerGramo:
and the new Pamela professional:
both work just fine for recording calls and creating podcasts. where i live (texas) the law states that you can record calls just as long as ONE person on the call knows that it is being recorded! go figure...it IS texas, after all
Posted by: johneglass at January 5, 2006 5:45 PM
you want to record call, i will give you some advice, may be you can use 123 Sound Recorder , it's a very useful sound recording tool.
Posted by: bill at April 10, 2006 7:17 PM
I use 123 sound recording tool as well. It is really easy to use and reliable. give it a shot!!
For outsourcing voice, chat, email or back-office support, visit the website of Aumenta Call Center, India.
http://www.aumenta.cc
Posted by: Call Center Outsourcing at May 3, 2006 6:51 AM
Precisely. When i tried to record my skype conversations with my client, i realized was that all i could hear was my own voice. tat was an important conversation. thx to u i can now record two-way convos.
For outsourcing voice, chat, email or back-office support, visit the website of Aumenta Call Center, India.
http://www.aumenta.cc
Posted by: Call Center Outsourcing at May 4, 2006 7:27 AM
3D MP3 Sound Recorder (Audio Playback Recorder ) is a sound recorder software. with 3D interface that allows you to create digital files from any audio that can be played through your computer's sound card, regardless of the audio source.
Posted by: mp3 recorder at August 9, 2006 5:48 PM
Very good skype recorder - PrettyMay.
It is really easy to use and reliable.
Posted by: Techice at September 7, 2006 8:49 PM
Check out the free new tool of SoliCall (www.solicall.com), it will do the trick.
Posted by: Tim at September 28, 2006 11:53 AM
There are a lot of Skype Recorders around.
The poorly named PowerGrammo integrates with skype and can even be downloaded from the Skype website. (It's a plugin) or direct from
www.powergramo.com
It's the one I use and it's fine. Record quality is OK with ogg compression, just fine as a wav file if you have a big hard disk
Posted by: Skype Caller at October 13, 2006 7:39 PM
Folks, thanks for all of the comments above. THey helped me get started with taping a Skype conversation.
Can you help me level a taped Skype conversation? The voice of my party is about 2 times less strong then mine. What is the command in Audacity to equalize both voices?
Thanks much!
Plamen
Posted by: Plamen at October 27, 2006 9:42 AM