How to record a Skype conversation |
Loading ...Update November 1, 2006 12:02pm PST: As the author of this piece that is now over three years old (look at the date of the article, folks), I’m not completely sure why this is being dugg now — and criticized as not the best way to record a skype conversation — when plenty of other good software alternatives exist. Heck, the USB connector we bought with Skype a month ago came with a recording program that integrates with Skype and allows easy software based recording.
While the technique described in the post works fine, it’s long been obsoleted by software alternatives. There are in fact plenty of software alternatives to recording Skype calls these days. Keep in mind this post was originally made back when Skype had less than a million users, before podcasting, before VoIP was popular, before digg even existed 
I don’t know who webtech is but thank you for digging this, but it’s, well showing its age unless someone really wants to record a skype conversation using two computers.
Would you like to record a skype conversation? Keep in mind that recording conversations without the other party’s consent in some states is against the law and certainly of questionable ethics, so make sure you get permission first and/or clearly identify to the skyper that this is happening before hitting the record button. While these laws might not fall under the umbrella of telephone conversations, they are certainly every bit as much like a telephone conversation.
Here’s the steps to inexpensively record a conversation:
Items needed
*
2 computers - 1 that has Skype running and another with line-in capability
Speakers for the recording computer
Male to male stereo patch cord (Radio Shack sells for a couple bucks, see picture)
Recording software on the second machine — you can use Windows sound recorder for up to 1 minute of sound, but most conversations are longer than 1 minute
*it is also possible to use a portable recording device (USB or otherwise) which can record from a stereo LINE-IN, so one might be able to avoid the use of a second computer. Also, a dual soundcard setup might be able to suffice, but that isn’t as simple a connection as just running a stereo-to-stereo cord between two machines.
Instructions
STEP 1. Connect one end of male computer to LINE-IN on 2nd computer and attach to the speaker out on the computer that is running Skype.
STEP 2. On 2nd Computer, set record properties to LINE-IN.
STEP 3. Put record software on pause (or cue, if it’s named that) on 2nd computer.
STEP 4. Start Skype and dial a friend. Be sure to tell them you are going to record the conversation and ask if that’s ok. Disclaimer: remember, some State laws prohibit the recording of conversations without both parties consenting to the recording. Resist the urge to exercise the Linda Tripp in oneself!
STEP 5. Start the recording.
STEP 6. When the conversation is over, disconnect, stop the record and name the recorded file. If you have it setup to record to mp3 (which you can do using the shoutcast plugin) then you can add ID tag information about the conversation.
- My proposed Skype record user interface (UI)
- Skype logins hosed at the moment, just keep client running
- Skype version 0.95: add your own custom ringtones
- 160,000+ Skype downloads in 12 days + Skype helpful sound tips
- Skype VoIP adds conference calling
- Skype Voice Mail beta
Saw the post on our forums and followed it here. This is definitely an interesting feature which we will consider for inclusion, however this http://www.rcfp.org/taping/quick.html is something that must be considered before we build it! So how do you suggest we implement “consent” in the UI? Very interested to hear your suggestions!
-Andreas
Comment by Andreas — October 3, 2003 @ 7:45 pm PST
Hey Andreas!
What I have is a second Skype Client (instead of a second computer) named, Skype Call Recorder. When I want to record a conversation I set up a conference call to that device. The name is displayed on the Call Window so the other parties are informed what I am doing.
A more elegant solution would follow the Skype File Transfer Protocol. The party being recorded must approve the request to record. The resulting file is then transfered at the end of the call.
Regards,
Bill
Comment by Bill Campbell — December 8, 2004 @ 10:41 am PST
[Andreas:1] Do mean we can run two skype accounts on one machine?
Comment by Shahram Sedehi — December 10, 2004 @ 4:31 pm PST
Hey All,
An easier method to record conversations in Skype is the following:
(1) SET UP AUDACITY
Get Audacity from audacity.sourceforge.net; Run Audacity; Go to File -> Preferences -> Digital I/O -> Recording and choose a “Digital Audio”-class device rather than an “Input”-class device (which will replace microphone input with combined microphone **and** speaker recording); choose to record two channels of stereo; finally, close Preferences, and choose “Wave Out Mix” as the source of signal on the main window of Audacity;
(2) SET UP THE SOUND DRIVER
Go to Control Panel -> Sounds and Audio Devices -> Volume -> Advanced and make sure the microphone is not muted; you may also want to click on “Advanced” settings for the microphone and check “MIC Boost” to amplify your voice.
(3) USE AUDACITY AND SKYPE
); Audacity allows to export recordings in WAV, MP3, and OGG formats; for MP3s, you will need to find lame_enc.dll on Google (LAME is an excellent MP3 encoder).
During a conversation, you can start recording in Audacity at any point (big red button
Enjoy!!
Comment by Gleb A Chuvpilo — December 21, 2004 @ 6:21 pm PST
Gleb - I don’t know if “easier” exactly fits. I was skyping with another person today and he was trying to work with this setup to record our call (on a single machine) and the results were not stellar. Also, look at the date when this was written … this was written when very few people even knew what Skype was
Comment by TDavid — December 21, 2004 @ 6:34 pm PST
[Gleb A Chuvpilo:4]
Hi
I tried using audacity to record a skype call and did exactly as you have written. There are 2 scenarios happening and in each scenario i am able to record only 1 party’s voice. Any thoughts on this.
When i select microphone on the audacity main window, i can record my voice. when i select stero mix on the audacity main window i get to record only the voice from the caller at the other end of skype. bot the voices are not getting recorded simoultaneously.
Any thoughts\. please help
Comment by Mohit Sareen — March 5, 2005 @ 6:28 am PST
[Mohit Sareen:6] Mohit - you would likely need two soundcards if you are doing that from one machine (I’ve not experimented using one computer for a long time). If you are using two computers and running the audio through the mixer and then looping back through the out of computer one then you simply record the LINE-IN on computer two. It works great as I’ve been doing this for years with my radio show.
Comment by TDavid — March 5, 2005 @ 9:52 am PST
[…] vanrossum. Ik heb nog wat leuke extra’s voor skype opgezocht: -Voicemail voor skype -Skype conversaties opnemen -Skype telefoon -Yve-tag. Skype op je website
Gee […]
Pingback by www.evertvanrossum.nl -> Elektronisch Groen! — March 27, 2005 @ 2:47 pm PST
Or you could use ‘hot recorder’
Comment by patrik — April 6, 2005 @ 2:16 pm PST
Hot Recorder is a good suggestion, patrik. Too bad it wasn’t available when this piece was originally published
Comment by TDavid — April 6, 2005 @ 2:44 pm PST
HotRecorder is really easy to use, I’m impressed, you just click the rec button and voila, no cables needed.
It has an audio converter plug in to export the recordings to .wav and .ogg.
With this skype recorder you can start podcasting in seconds.
Thank you guys for the recommendation.
Comment by Martin_T — April 14, 2005 @ 6:11 pm PST
Record a phone conversation with Skype
Trackback by Jason Salas' WebLog — May 2, 2005 @ 7:16 pm PST
Record a phone conversation with Skype
Trackback by Jason Salas' WebLog — May 3, 2005 @ 4:31 am PST
[…] Franics isn’t to keen on his fake document detection skills. Thanks to a comment on MakeYouGoHmm, I was able to setup Audacity to record the entire conversation. Which you can listen to h […]
Pingback by Andrew Ferguson dot NET » Blog Archive » God Bless Skype and Audacity: The Nigerian Scammer Scammed - Part “Something-or-Other” — May 13, 2005 @ 3:56 pm PST
Hi there,
The simplest way to go about recording a Skype call is by using HotRecorder (www.hotrecorder.com).
This great tool enables you to record your Skype conversation (or any other VoIP conversation for that matter). You can also file and retrieve your recorded files and if you purchased the premium version (advertisement free), you get an Audio Converter which will enable you to convert the audio files into .ogg or .wav, thus making podcasting a piece of cake.
Highly recommended software. No hardware required.
Ernesto
Comment by ernesto armendariz — May 31, 2005 @ 4:55 am PST
[…] y AND it only works on Windows. I saw a few tutorials on how to record with Skype here and there, but nothing seemed as powerful and as easy to use as Mixcast Live. Would love to know if this ha […]
Pingback by Couros Blog » Blog Archive » Doing Research: A Tool Inventory — June 22, 2005 @ 3:14 pm PST
The easiest way is to use Freecorder.
Try Freecorder here:
http://www.replay-video.com/freecorder/index_skype.php
One click records, and you can even pause while recording.
Comment by Bill Dettering — July 4, 2005 @ 9:53 pm PST
[…] MixCast Live » Blog Archive » How to record a Skype call (tags: skype podcasting) Make You Go Hmm: » How to record a Skype conversation (tags: skype podcasting) Cycling ‘74 […]
Pingback by Tom Morris :: links for 2005-07-07 :: July :: 2005 — July 8, 2005 @ 6:51 am PST
[…] Thanks to a comment on MakeYouGoHmm, I was able to setup Audacity to record the entire conversation. Which you can listen to here. The connection fades in and out and I would suspect that it’s a fault of the network connection or maybe Dr. Francis is using a cell phone. […]
Pingback by Andrew Ferguson dot NET » Blog Archive » God Bless Skype and Audacity: The Nigerian Scammer Scammed - Part “Something-or-Other” — August 22, 2005 @ 2:43 pm PST
NSBENet Guru
Well, I participated in my first podcast, and I must say it was alot of fun. However, as with anything else, you cannot have pleasure without experiencing some pain. Our angst was realized with shyt scrape, err I mean Skype….
Trackback by AG's Blog — August 27, 2005 @ 10:27 am PST
I am currently working on voice recorder for skype. I managed to record voice and encode it to mp3 in real time. It doesn’t need any hardware or sound card adjustments, as it records digital wave data skype is sending and receiving from sound card, and it automatically detects when you call someone. When it will be done, i will release it as freeware as the main reason for start making it was the lack of quality freeware skype recorder. Please send any suggestions of what you would like to have and perhaps i will implement it.
Best regards,
Blu3STar
Comment by blu3star — October 3, 2005 @ 8:12 am PST
Another option is to use GizmoProject, instead of Skype. It has a built-in recorder and is said to be more clear than Skype. It works great for me — but it is not Skype. I have not had any luck using the various suggestions above with Skype. The biggest problem is that the Skype side is either non-existent or extremely faint on the recording. The only thinkg that did work was HotRecorder, it worked a couple of times and they started crashing
Comment by TXG — October 30, 2005 @ 11:21 pm PST
It simply doesnt matter what audio recording / editor software you use any will do audacity is by the way a very good hint because its a powerful editor to later do some “post produktion” on your record (noise reduction, cutting, effects, even mixing with music in a multitrack project.
Hey i am not advertizing audacity here lol i did say any recorder does even the windows onboard audio recorder can do the job….
now you ask what the heck is je talkin … well the secret is soo simple all you need on a single pc is a headphone… nooo no microphone bending cablecutting soldering tips here rofl :-)))
when you switch your windows mixer on (doubleclick on the little speaker in the tray) then you get a volume mixer now enter the options menu and choose properties, there you can switch to recording. now you have the record mixer open.. click the little speaker again and again the VOLUME mixer pops up… now you see them BOTH
1. in the RECORD mixer you go to “stereo mix” (on some mixers its called “what you hear”) ok that makes ALL LISTENABLE audio sources recordable with any prog.
2. Now look in the VOLUME mixer, under every slider is a mute checkmark. You should see a slider for WAVE and a slider for MIC as well (if not you can make them visible in the list in the properties window…. Menu Options) now just make sure all channels are muted that you dont want to record and ofcourse UNMUTE BOTH WAVE AND MIC …. Yeah THATS IT now you hear yourself talkin too and BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP Ouch that hurts LOL now you know why i sayd you NEED a headphone to do that. Its the only way to avoid the backcoupling your mic listens to your speakers but it cant when your head is between them :-))) VOILA the web is full of free audiosoftware and the windows recorder is already on your computer HAVE FUN :-)))
Comment by Cytraveler — November 2, 2005 @ 8:26 am PST
Hi, I have an IRiver mp3 player…can I just plug it into the headphone out socket on my laptop and into the line in socket on the IRiver and record Sykpe conversations like that?
Thanks
Rob
Comment by Rob — November 20, 2005 @ 11:08 am PST