How To Make Perfect Skype Session Recordings

[JerkyMyTurky]

Originally posted by Hectic...

I've seen several posts here from people wondering and asking how they can record their phone calls made through skype. Although the stand alone programs may work ok, it seems people still have trouble using them. The problem with recording your conversations through skype result from the fact that the skype program itself needs to record the input to relay to the party on the other end of the "line". This creates a problem when you want to play an audio track to relay to the other party. Whether it be clips from a soundboard or an mp3 or whatever utilizes the wave device on your sound card. The conflict creates feedback when the other person is talking due to the recording source being the same as the playback source which creates the echo effect. Also, perhaps you want to mix different inputs such as a microphone along with the soundboard clips. Certain soundcards won't allow this because they will only allow you to select one recording source at a time. I won't go into all the different conflict scenerios, there are a lot of them, so i'll get to the point. You want the freedom of making a perfect recording of a flawless skype session? Here you go.

Computer requirements:
-Two soundcards
-2 1/8" stereo cables
-1 1/8" stereo jack Y splitter
-Good recording software such as Cool Edit

*The use of the term "primary soundcard/input/output" is regarding the soundcard you usually use, the one which your pc speakers are connected to. NOT the one which is selected as the default device*

That's about it. Now to explain what to do. You may be thinking that using 2 soundcards on your pc will get confusing and you will have to constantly mess with cables and whatnot, but don't even worry about it. I have 2 computers, 3 turntables, 2 dj mixers all intertwined and connecting to eachother by several possible methods and by far, this is the most simple and versatile way i have utilized to record skype sessions and believe me, i've tried several methods.

Now, what you want to do is plug in your Y splitter to the output of your main soundcard which you use reguarly. On one of the 2 output jacks from the splitter, plug in your pc speakers. On the other jack you want to plug in one of your dual 1/8" end cables and then rout the other end to the line-in jack on your secondary soundcard. Grab your other dual 1/8" cables and stick it into the output jack from the secondary soundcard and rout it back into the line-in jack on your primary soundcard.

Primary output>Secondary input>Secondary output>Primary input

Now when you want to record a skype session, you'll need to temporarily change both of your default sound devices to your secondary sound card so when you use a soundboard, windows will play it through that device. Within skype, select your primary soundcard as both the input and output device (this you only have to do once). You will need to adjust some settings in your mixers (volume control). On your primary soundcard, you will want to mute all playback devices except for "line-in" and select the same source as your recording device as well. On your secondary sound card, you will want to mute all playback devices except for the ones you will be using (wave out, microphone). Unfortunately you will not be able to use line in as a source since it's already utilized by the primary soundcard's output in order to record the conversation.

So basically everything being outputted by the secondary soundcard gets passed through your primary line-in which can then be heard through your pc speakers as well as the person on the other end of the line. All of this mixes together and is sent back to your secondary soundcard's line-in jack and can be recorded through Cool Edit or whatever recording software you use. Just be sure you mute the secondary line in as a playback source or else you will have a very loud and annoying sound blaring through your speakers due to an endless loop between both line-in sources on your soundcards. When you are done recording and/or calling, all you have to do is change windows default playback and recording devices back to the primary card (unless you just want to leave the sound looping between both soundcards).

Have fun

[Quikshot73]

Dude, not everyone has 2 soundcards and all this stuff what are we sposed to do

[JerkyMyTurky]

Originally Posted by Quikshot73

Dude, not everyone has 2 soundcards and all this stuff what are we sposed to do

Like I said in the other thread, I haven't been able to figure out how to do it it myself. Another option is the old fashioned way, to use a regular phone on speaker sound and just record it with a microphone. One more option would be to play the soundboard through a regular mic and have someone else (a buddy) record the call, just make sure he's on the conference call. There are ways to get it done, alot of people do it without Skype.

If anyone else has any other methods on recording soundboard calls, post in here.

[printithere]

I have the ultimate way.

All you need is

Skype
AV Voice Changer Diamond Pro


AV is such an amazing program, it has this AWESOME recorder built right in, I record my skype pranks with it, crystal clear direct recording, I didn't have to modiffy skype in anyway.

If you want the "good" version of AV hit me up through msn or email. (printnamehere@gmail.com for both)

The program is also an AMAZING voice changer, turning you into a grown woman or a preteen. Fuck, you can even be Bubba!

[qwertyuiop123]

there is no way you can do it using stereo mix?

[Quikshot73]

We aren't talking about recording, we are talking about no echo. And jerky, your friend way wouldn't work, because either way, the person is going to hear an echo of themselves, right?

[JerkyMyTurky]

Originally Posted by Quikshot73

We aren't talking about recording, we are talking about no echo. And jerky, your friend way wouldn't work, because either way, the person is going to hear an echo of themselves, right?

Hmm, I think you are right. You would need two computers, side by side. Maybe have a friend bring over a laptop and then do it with a mic, so you can also listen with the other computer.

[printithere]

I would still like to point out that using AV Voice Changer turns out perfect recordings, no echo, nothing weird whatsoever.

[Quikshot73]

print, we know, i have AV, but listen, the person on hte other end will hear an echo of themselves. You won't hear it, but they will

[havock]

when i use av i hear no echo and the person on the other end hears no echo but the recording does echo. only the persons voice on the other end echos.
im using a pci sound card and head phones with a mic , any ideas how to fix it.

[JerkyMyTurky]

Originally Posted by printithere

I would still like to point out that using AV Voice Changer turns out perfect recordings, no echo, nothing weird whatsoever.

These are not regular phone calls we are talking about. Soundboard calls made through skype, have an echo, as the setting to play the soundboard plays whatever you hear from your pc and when you hear the other person talk, your settings will send the person's voice back to them. In essence, creating an echo effect or reverb. That is the problem, not a recording method.

[qwertyuiop123]

Computer requirements:
-Two soundcards
-2 1/8" stereo cables
-1 1/8" stereo jack Y splitter
-Good recording software such as Cool Edit

I have a built in sound card on my MB which i use as primary, i don't have a second sound card but i do have a tv tuner that has audio in, and audio out. Could i use this as my second sound card?

[fleokan]

New generation programs have did another software-lever salvation for some old skype's bugs. Try out Scype Call Recorder (http://voipcallrecording.com/) - it's simple, easy and i'm using one with great satisfaction.

ps Ouhh, one more thing : it's complitely free.