I was wondering for the podcast folks out there what they are finding works best (software) to record Skype these days? At home I used to use two PC's, but I don't have that option right now in Rockford (unless I get a laptop). Anyway, I've used Pamela before and had so-so results with it. Any other ideas/suggestions?
I use Pamela ( the paid version ) and then put the wav file into a program called levelator that Jen told me about, it makes both voices near enough sound the same in volume context. Then I put in my clips.
I know Tim on appytimes uses the free mp3 record.
I'm the same as Meds and Jen.. Pamela records up to 15 minutes for free.. but if you do the paid one it's unlimited.
So you guys are having good luck with Pamela? Last time I tried it I found it a bit buggy. But that was awhile ago. Maybe the new version is better.
Hey Skype users and recorders. Found this thing called Call Graph today. Seems to work pretty well to record Skype. Not limited to 15 min. and it's free!
https://callgraph.biz/
Quote from: Rico on April 17, 2010, 03:35:52 PM
Hey Skype users and recorders. Found this thing called Call Graph today. Seems to work pretty well to record Skype. Not limited to 15 min. and it's free!
https://callgraph.biz/
I just finished a test using Call Graph. Nice. I configured it to record at 192kbps. What resolution do you usually record at? Is there a time recording limit? Is there anything better than Call Graph?
I like Call Graph a lot. I've never found a time limit on it. Anything better? Not that I know of.
Thanks, Rico!
I just looked into Pamela - $13 isn't bad for a paid program - but it's only available for PC. Anyone know if there's anything similar for Mac users?
Here's a list of some other choices:
http://www.aboutonlinetips.com/free-skype-call-recorders-3308/ (http://www.aboutonlinetips.com/free-skype-call-recorders-3308/)
Try here for a Mac option:
http://technofriends.in/2010/12/20/record-skype-audio-and-video-on-mac-with-skype-call-recorder/ (http://technofriends.in/2010/12/20/record-skype-audio-and-video-on-mac-with-skype-call-recorder/)
Quote from: Rico on January 07, 2011, 09:59:46 AM
Here's a list of some other choices:
http://www.aboutonlinetips.com/free-skype-call-recorders-3308/ (http://www.aboutonlinetips.com/free-skype-call-recorders-3308/)
Try here for a Mac option:
http://technofriends.in/2010/12/20/record-skype-audio-and-video-on-mac-with-skype-call-recorder/ (http://technofriends.in/2010/12/20/record-skype-audio-and-video-on-mac-with-skype-call-recorder/)
Thanks. I just downloaded the Mac plugin.
Now, I have another question. I'm going to be producing an interview-style webcast and need to look into microphones. We were initially talking about using lavalier (lapel) microphones, but I'm wondering if an inexpensive dynamic mic (like a Shure SM58) might work. The lavaliers could also serve double duty for any video recording. What mics are people generally using for high quality podcasts?
I have a Mackie mixer and will be recording through my MBox into my laptop, so I should be good there.
On another note, does anyone know where I can find an affordable transcription service? I'll need to have each episode transcribed into text so we can have it on the web page for SEO effectiveness.
Thanks so much for your help.
I use Blue Mic's Yeti. Awesome microphone (even a USB connector yet!), with awesome sound...and it's THX certified. Got mine from the Apple Store for $149. My wife and I both have one that we use on Tales From The Mouse House Podcast. Lav mics can work well, but...they are expensive. We have a set of AZDEN wireless lav mics too (for our video productions company), but have never used them for the podcast. Hope this helps...Al
I use Call Graph and I think it works great. And the company offers transcription services as well -- you send them the recording and pay their rates (check the web site for those). I have not used the transcription service so I cannot speak to the quality but I would assume it is good or no one would be using it.
For microphones, the Levs are very expensive indeed but work well. Just make sure you are getting mics that are not omnidirectional so that they are focused upon the speaker holding it and not pick up ambient noises (including other speakers). Otherwise, editing can be painful.
If you are doing video, I recommend recording the audio by plugging in your mixer output directly into your video camera so that the audio track comes from the microphones and not the camera's omnidirectional built-in mic. And if you want to be safe, have the audio recorded by your PC/external audio recorder device so you are covered.
Thanks guys!
I would need to buy at least three mics. The webcast will be an interview program. My concern with the Yeti is that it's USB. I would be using my mixer, so I'd need XLR or phone plugs. Is Yeti USB only?
I have Call Graph, so I'll look into their pricing. Found a couple of other transcription services, Verbal Ink and GMR.
I just downloaded and testing the Call Recorder for Mac, and it's working great. It have record pretty high quality on the call, and then I can import directly into Garage Band. The trial is only good for 7 days, but I think I'm going to drop the $20 for a license (especially with free upgrades for life). Totally worth it. Thanks, Rico!
Quote from: QuadShot on January 07, 2011, 11:35:14 AM
I use Blue Mic's Yeti. Awesome microphone (even a USB connector yet!), with awesome sound...and it's THX certified. Got mine from the Apple Store for $149. My wife and I both have one that we use on Tales From The Mouse House Podcast.
Al what set up do you have? Do you use a mixer as well?
Me and Kell share one mic and now we want to branch out and have two mics but we need to make sure they dont pick each others voices etc.
Quote from: Rico on April 17, 2010, 03:35:52 PM
Hey Skype users and recorders. Found this thing called Call Graph today. Seems to work pretty well to record Skype. Not limited to 15 min. and it's free!
https://callgraph.biz/
THANKS!
I'm currently using PrettyMay, which tends to get buggy on longer files. I'll have to give callgraph a try. :)
For those wanting to record Skype calls, this works great. Much better than Pamela in my opinion - and it's FREE.
http://scribie.com/free-skype-recorder (http://scribie.com/free-skype-recorder)
Quote from: Rico on June 14, 2011, 03:33:19 PM
For those wanting to record Skype calls, this works great. Much better than Pamela in my opinion - and it's FREE.
http://scribie.com/free-skype-recorder (http://scribie.com/free-skype-recorder)
They own Call Graph, right?
Yeah - I think they bought them. Same program I think still.
Looks like they're making more of an effort to capture revenue from transcription.
I know this is an old thread, but I thought I'd chime in since I didn't see the software I used mentioned here. I've been using Audio Hijack Pro for Mac. It works much better than Pamela on my PC. It will record almost anything. I've used it to record high quality clips from movies and television shows as well. It's not expensive. I think it's only 30 bucks. There's also a free version with less bells and whistles.
Quote from: Jen on September 16, 2011, 10:29:48 AM
I know this is an old thread, but I thought I'd chime in since I didn't see the software I used mentioned here. I've been using Audio Hijack Pro for Mac. It works much better than Pamela on my PC. It will record almost anything. I've used it to record high quality clips from movies and television shows as well. It's not expensive. I think it's only 30 bucks. There's also a free version with less bells and whistles.
Does it work on Lion? I know Scott at extralife was having issues with some program he uses to capture audio.
Yep. here are the latest release notes on the version that's compatible with Lion:
Audio Hijack Pro can now capture all System Audio, as well as grab audio from already-running applications, on Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion). This is accomplished with Instant On 4.1, which can be installed through the "Install Extras" window, under the Audio Hijack Pro menu.
Specific improvements have been made for capturing audio from Spotify and QuickTime Player
AppleScripts which are triggered when a recording finishes now run on their own thread instead of in their own process. Script users should test their scripts to ensure they still function as expected.
An incompatibility with Google Talk has been fixed.
A bug where the VoiceOver effect would produce silence on Lion when the buffer was set to "Low" has been corrected.
Sessions now correctly remember if they were set to use the "Multi-Process" hijacker.
i use mp3 skype recorder it was on the skype forums it records at 128 kps. But i will look into call graph, incidentally there is no limit on mp3 skype.
Call Graph has no limit for time and you can record at higher bit rates too. I haven't found anything better for PC Skype recording.
I've been using the Call Recorder Skype Plugin for Mac ever since it was recommended to me here. It hasn't failed me, expect for when I was booted from Skype entirely. And even when I was booted, it recorded the call and saved the recording up until the second that Skype closed. All of the Anomaly Supplemental episodes have been recorded with it, and those files run through Levelator, so I think it's pretty decent quality. $20 for full use and lifetime updates, and I'm satisfied. :)
It really interesting how each of us has vastly different experiences with the same programs.
I used Call Graph for a long time and it worked fine up until recently when it stopped loading or even working even after reboots, etc.
I now use Pamela and it's been great for me.
Kevin
I just use my Adobe Audition program. With the USB board monitoring my audio it seems to work ok.
You cam record skype calls through adobe audition??? How?
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on September 26, 2011, 08:10:09 AM
You cam record skype calls through adobe audition??? How?
I think Rick is using a USB mixer and feeding it in from there?
Quote from: Dangelus on September 26, 2011, 09:38:39 AM
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on September 26, 2011, 08:10:09 AM
You cam record skype calls through adobe audition??? How?
I think Rick is using a USB mixer and feeding it in from there?
Wouldn't you need a second machine to do it that way?
nope! Here is how it works...
The USB interface on my Alesis Multimix8usbFX board allows me to hear all the sounds on my computer through my headphones while recording only what comes through the input chans on the board. This allows me to listen to what I have already recorded or a song in ITunes and play or sing along with the track. My voice shows up but not the track on the recording. When I click the button on the board called 2TRKS/USB to main, it feeds all sounds that the computer makes through my board and into Adobe Audition. Then it records whoever is on skype, while recording us on the inputs as well.
Did any of that make sense? Let's hear it for multi track recording! WHooo.
Gotta love a good mixer!
No idea what you just said there Rick but thanks anyway :D
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on September 26, 2011, 01:34:52 PM
No idea what you just said thre Rick but thanks anyway :D
Oh c'mon Meds. It's pretty simple. Here's what I heard Rick say..."blah, yadda, yaddayadda. Boom, shakalaka, sisboom, zippity do da". Makes perfect sense to me! :)
Ha ha, ;)
I find it fascinating. Rick maybe you should do a few tutorial videos one day I think many would find it useful. :)
I second that because I'm thinking of getting a mixer and I'm bloody useless lol
Quote from: QuadShot on September 26, 2011, 01:52:56 PM
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on September 26, 2011, 01:34:52 PM
No idea what you just said thre Rick but thanks anyway :D
Oh c'mon Meds. It's pretty simple. Here's what I heard Rick say..."blah, yadda, yaddayadda. Boom, shakalaka, sisboom, zippity do da". Makes perfect sense to me! :)
Oh well when you put it like that it all makes sense
Great idea. I will do just that. Now to clean up my work station so that you can't see what a pig I live like around my computer. ;)
Quote from: moyer777 on September 26, 2011, 09:54:44 AM
nope! Here is how it works...
The USB interface on my Alesis Multimix8usbFX board allows me to hear all the sounds on my computer through my headphones while recording only what comes through the input chans on the board. This allows me to listen to what I have already recorded or a song in ITunes and play or sing along with the track. My voice shows up but not the track on the recording. When I click the button on the board called 2TRKS/USB to main, it feeds all sounds that the computer makes through my board and into Adobe Audition. Then it records whoever is on skype, while recording us on the inputs as well.
Did any of that make sense? Let's hear it for multi track recording! WHooo.
I have the same mixer...I should try that. Yes. Your tutorials have helped me figure that board in the past. A video demonstration of your Skype recording technique would be most helpful. :D
Ok so I'm going to need to record Skype very soon as part of upcoming podcasts. I started looking into various methods and apps to use when I came across a very simple way of doing it.
If you use Windows you can feed your system sounds into an audio recorder. There is a little tweaking involved in Windows 7 as the system "Stereo Mix" is turned off by default but once activated it acts as an input device.
I have tried it with (and the guide uses) Adobe Audition 3 as this app is capable of recording from multiple sources simultaneously which would be required to record Skype and your own mic separately. I'm not sure Audacity can do this.
So basically you setup 2 tracks recording, one being your mic and the other your computer sounds in a stereo mix. So what you end up with is your voice on a separate track and the other persons Skype conversation in the other. Very handy for editing.
Anyway, these YouTube videos probably explain it a lot better than me:
[embed=425,349]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wDenD-IKNo[/embed]
[embed=425,349]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAJ9rXepKZc[/embed]
Nice one Dan I now need to find adobe audition three
Quote from: stonut on November 14, 2011, 12:45:45 PM
Nice one Dan I now need to find adobe audition three
If you set up your mic in properties to "listen to this device" it will add its input to the sound mix also which means everything would be recorded in one track. This means you could use audacity to record as it can only use one device at a time. The downside is you can't split your voice from the other party on Skype in the recording.
Failing that I think the freeware app "Kristal Audio Engine" is capable of multi device recording but I haven't tried it.
Thanks again Dan all this info will hopefully make me sound better,it's nice have tech savvy friends
Ressurecting this old thread. I used the free version of AudioHijack on my MacBook to capture clips for the last guest 'cast I did, it was the best solution I came across. I may be investing in the paid version!
Jen and Rick: Do you guys have XLR mics going into your mixers? If I remeber right Jen was using a Samson USB mic to podcast initially.
I have XLRs going in to and Alesis mixer that is USB.
My mixer is not USB, it's analog. And I usually just still use a two PC setup to record Skype. Callgraph for one PC setup's.
Quote from: billybob476 on March 06, 2012, 08:10:38 AM
Ressurecting this old thread. I used the free version of AudioHijack on my MacBook to capture clips for the last guest 'cast I did, it was the best solution I came across. I may be investing in the paid version!
Jen and Rick: Do you guys have XLR mics going into your mixers? If I remeber right Jen was using a Samson USB mic to podcast initially.
I use an Skype program called Call Recorder (you can get it through the Skype program for Mac), and it works well. I did try using Audio Hijack and it works very well too. So either are a good bet.
I gave Rico's suggestion a go, its Call Graph and i was really rather impressed with it. The recording is in stereo and it records the left and right different. EG Left the caller, right the listener.
I messed with SoundFlower (http://cycling74.com/soundflower-landing-page/ (http://cycling74.com/soundflower-landing-page/)) when I was doing my last guest 'cast but wasn't entirely successful. It reroutes all a mac's system audio through a virtual device which you can record from (kind of like the USB mixers are doing). I'm going to give it another go since I'm starting to get a better handle on how audio runs under OSX.
Tried the Soundflower approach again. These instructions http://www.lockergnome.com/media/2012/03/08/how-to-set-up-soundflower-for-audio-recording/ (http://www.lockergnome.com/media/2012/03/08/how-to-set-up-soundflower-for-audio-recording/) under the heading "Add Both Your Microphone and System Audio to the Soundflower " got me up and running quickly.
It seems like the small LineIn app that you run takes the place of a hardware mixer. Now I route my MacBook's system audio and my Yeti USB mic into the common soundFlower virtual interface which lets me play and record audio real time. The same would work for Skype, pulling the conversation from the system audio and my end directly from the mic.
Not a bad little Mac app.
Joe,
You could always just Skype on your PC or iPad and pipe the audio out from that to your iMac.
Quote from: Rico on March 16, 2012, 08:35:32 AM
Joe,
You could always just Skype on your PC or iPad and pipe the audio out from that to your iMac.
I could...honestly I'm not sure why but I'm determined to have a one-PC solution :)
This is more to capture system audio then for Skype. The fact it works for that is a nice bonus. I'm also just enjoying messing around with different solutions. It's amazing how convoluted it is to record system audio on a Mac. On most PC's there's just a "What you hear" input option (though that wouldn't take into account a USB mic).
I think one of the reason recording "What you hear" is not always easy on any computer is copyright rules. They don't want to make it easy to do that. Of course, these days that only keeps out the non-techie, non-geeks - and even those people know someone who is good at this stuff to make it work. :)
Quote from: Rico on March 16, 2012, 08:45:57 AM
I think one of the reason recording "What you hear" is not always easy on any computer is copyright rules. They don't want to make it easy to do that. Of course, these days that only keeps out the non-techie, non-geeks - and even those people know someone who is good at this stuff to make it work. :)
This could be why it is disabled by default on Windows 7 but pretty easily to re-activate.
Quote from: billybob476 on March 16, 2012, 08:40:43 AM
Quote from: Rico on March 16, 2012, 08:35:32 AM
Joe,
You could always just Skype on your PC or iPad and pipe the audio out from that to your iMac.
I could...honestly I'm not sure why but I'm determined to have a one-PC solution :)
This is more to capture system audio then for Skype. The fact it works for that is a nice bonus. I'm also just enjoying messing around with different solutions. It's amazing how convoluted it is to record system audio on a Mac. On most PC's there's just a "What you hear" input option (though that wouldn't take into account a USB mic).
You can pipe in your USB mic (at least in Win7) by checking the "monitor this device" setting. This will then add it to the "stereo mix" when this is enabled.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/39532/how-to-enable-stereo-mix-in-windows-7-to-record-audio/ (http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/39532/how-to-enable-stereo-mix-in-windows-7-to-record-audio/)