I’ve frequently been asked what kind of setup I use for recording my podcast interviews, especially those conducted over the phone. This is a seemingly simple task that actually can get quite convoluted, and I thought it might be instructive to let folks know exactly how I accomplish this. To hear the results in action, simply visit the Contrabass Conversations website and click on any interview episode.
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I use Skype for all my interviews. I pay for a yearly SkypeOut account (around $30 a year), which allows me to call any land line or cell phone number for free in the US. It also allows for conference calling, which is a real benefit for the podcaster.
I have played around with different setups for recording Skype interviews, including through a mixing board, with software, and with an external hardware recorder. The big problem with recording Skype is that the output from your computer doesn’t include your voice, so trying to find a solution that allows your guest(s) to hear you, you to hear them, and the whole thing to be recordable with control over levels and electronic noise is really hard to do.
I used to use Hotrecorder (a software program), which I would avoid at all costs–I lost interviews and had terrible latency problems as the interviews progressed. I finally figured out a good setup at the end of December 2007, and all my interviews since that point have gone off without a hitch.
Here’s what I do:
1. I use a Griffin iMic external USB sound card to keep any internal computer noise out of the signal
2. I have two Sony ECM MS957 stereo microphones with 1/8″ output jacks set up, and I talk into both of them (I know it’s weird, but it works)
3. one mic goes into the input of the iMic (so that my guests can hear me talk)
4. I run an 1/8″ stereo cable from the output of the iMic into a Monster cable headphone splitter with individual volume controls–the signal from the computer output is REALLY hot for me, and this allows me to adjust the overall volume of the guests. I usually end up turning the Monster volume to almost zero–otehrwise I get nothing but clipping from my guests
5. I use another Y splitter (a gold series Radio Shack Y adapter, to be precise) and plug the monster splitter output into one channel of the Y adapter–for some reason, I can’t just use the Monster cable splitter–it won’t work with my mic
6. I plug the second stereo mic output into the other side of the gold Y adapter
7. I plug the Y adapter into an iRiver IFP-899 – this product isn’t sold anymore, so I recommend a Zoom H2 (which I also own) for the same purpose.
8. I plug my headphones into the headphone output of the iRiver
Using this setup means that I don’t have to worry about the computer freezing or crashing (both of which have happened during interviews) or a software program crashing. Keeping the recording process out of the computer itself and on another device really helps with stability. Also, since I’m listening through the output of the recording device I’m hearing exactly what’s being recorded and hear my voice in the headphones (a real benefit), and since I have a second mic running directly into the device there is no delay at all in my headphones. I can adjust the volume control on the Monster splitter if necessary during the interview to make sure that my levels are OK.
After recording the interview, I use a wonderful software program called the Levelator to equalize the voices. This program basically makes guests sound the same volume regardless of how high their levels were during recording, and it does a much better job than regular software compression.
There are much more elegant designs that other podcasters use, but mine is cheap, efficient, and works all the time. I also bought a Behringer UB 802 for around $100 (it’s less now) but had so many problems with background hiss noise that I ended up never using it. Also, a mixing board is yet another thing to plug in and haul around, and since I set up and take down my recording setup each time I do an interview it’s more trouble than it’s worth.
Here’s a summary list of all the components and software that I use:
- Laptop
- Skype (free – $30/yr for SkypeOut to land lines and cell phones)
- Two Sony ECM MS957 mics (around $200 each)
- Griffin iMic ($40)
- Zoom H2 ($200) or iRiver IFP series – not the new iRivers – they won’t work! (around $100 used on eBay)
- Monster Y adapter with volume controls ($10)
- Radio Shack Gold Y splitter ($6)
- one 1/8″ stereo cable ($5)
For this kind of setup (minus the computer), you’re looking at a solid $650-800. It is definitely possible to do it on less of a budget–you could kill one of the mics and either split the signal (something I never had much success with) or use a cheap $20 mic for your guest’s input and the good one for the recording output. You could also buy cheaper mics in general, and if you use an iRiver you could spend as little as $200-300.
It is also possible to just do a podcast with a cheap USB mic, Skype, and a copy of Hotrecorder. I did this myself for a while, but the latency problems, lost interviews, and lower audio quality of this kind of product drove me nuts after a while. In the end, though, the content is what counts, and I am all about starting simple and cheap and growing from there.
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With this tool you will not have latency nor out of sync nor many other problems related to softphone recordings programs.
try it at : http://www.easyvoiprecorder.com
EasyVoipRecorder is the universal VOIP softphone recorder.
Ii is a small computer application which records VOIP softphones conversations.
You could download your evaluation copy at http://www.easyvoiprecorder.com
With this tool you can record and store
Skype, Gtalk (Google Talk,) VoipCheap, VoipStunt, VoipBuster, 12Voip, Yahoo Messenger, MSN Live, Globe7,
VoipWise, VoipRaider, VoipDiscount , Net2phone, JustVoip and LowRateVoip conversations.
It’s the perfect tool for record, store, organize and share your voip conversations.
Some EasyVoipRecorder Features:
Records any kind of VoIP conversations (PC-to-PC, PC-to-phone conversations)
Save your voice and your partner’s voice in separated channels.
Save VoIP records in WAV/OGG/MP3/SPEXX (Stereo/Mono)
Easily convert your voip recordings into different formats.
Easily search and play your recordings. Using the EasyVoipRecorder Dashboard.
Share you conversation with your partners, friends and family. (Automatic Upload)
Upload onto our website and post a link to share with your friends.
Easy integration with your existing VoIP application.
I know that this is basically an ad for EasyVoipRecorder but since this really is a useful product I’m leaving this comment up. This kind of a product may very well solve the problems I described above. Just look out for ANY software solution, however-I’d definitely go the hardware route if you’ve got the option.
Hi Jason,
Fascinating site. I would definitely advise going with a hardware telephone hybrid, something like: http://www.bswusa.com/proditem.asp?item=INLINEPATCH
This would eliminate the two-mic set-up, and controlling levels would be much easier. We use them all the time when we can’t get guests via ISDN. The stereo output is channel-separated, so that you can independently compress/mix/edit, which is also nice.
Jason,
I have a sports blog that I’m going to soon be doing podcasts for… I’ve SCOURED the Internet looking for the best way to record phone interviews, and though this way is a bit complicated, like you said – it’s the best way I’ve found so far. I appreciate you blogging about it… I’ve got everything on the list, except for the iMic and the Zoom H2, which I’m waiting on in the mail.
Thanks again for going to the trouble to post all of this. It helped me tremendously – mainly because, like you – I wanted to do this with as much hardware, and little software, as possible.
Thanks!
I’m glad that this was helpful, Chris! It’s complicated, but it makes it very unlikely that you’ll lose an interview, which is important. The odds of Skype or your call recorder software crashing are just too great to leave it to software, in my opinion.
UUGGGHHHH I made a huge error. I didn’t account for my mic’s phantom power. The mic is the one thing that I had already purchased before I found this blog entry… I got a really nice condenser that requires 48V of phantom power – something that a computer sound card cannot provide… and I’ve already opened the mic, and from the place I bought it – any item that you put your mouth on – microphone, voice box, etc – is non-returnable if the box is opened.
So, I think I’m going to have to run the mic through a mixer, then into the computer. Or into the iMic… not sure yet.
Anyway, I hit a snag but I think it’s something I can recover from.
Okay, I’m all set now.
I wanted to add one more piece of information for anyone who reads this entry and wants to duplicate your setup as I did… this did not affect me, because my laptop runs XP and I’m going to hold on to it as long as possible – but it’s an important to note that the GRIFFIN iMic is NOT Windows Vista compatible, nor is the GRIFFIN iMic 2.
So anyone reading this, keep that in mind if you have Vista. I don’t know of a Vista-compatible equivalent at this point, but I didn’t really look into it much, as I’ve still got XP.
Thanks again, Jason – this was very helpful.
-Chris
Just wanted to say “Thanks” for this terrific guidance. I finally got everything set up today and recording from Skype sounds great. For a recording device, I use the Sony PCM D-50. For the mic, I use a Sony ECM 957 Pro. I got a nice little Creative USB X-Fi external sound card (really makes a difference vs. my built in headphone jack). I got a simple Y splitter with volume control from Radio Shack. For my computer mic, I use a Logitec headset.
It seems like alot of equipment to me, but it gets the job done and produces great recordings. Much better than trying to just record from the phone line. And much better than relying on software to record your calls without any hiccups.
Thanks again,
Derek
You should also be able to use recordcellphones.com if you dont want to buy extra hardware. There is record my phone calls and recordiapro as well.
Hi Jason,
Its been a few years since the last post but I wanted to know if this is still the best way to record telephone interviews. “technicals” is not my strength to say the least so I was hoping to get a solution to record and edit calls. Can you run down again the best way if its different? Thanks so much!
Sorry forgot to ad – i am using the recording to interview guest and post to a website!
Ok, one last question: Right now, I was planning on using a USB Headset (don’t laugh) and Vodburner (downloaded, but not tested). I take it the quality of my Mic is important…recommendations? I don’t have a problem of spending the $$$ of higher quality.