Recording a landline conversation

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Permalink Reply by fatBuzz on March 3, 2008 at 21:13

An easy way, if you have two computers, it so use Skype. Call the person using Skype-Out on one computer, run a line from the audio-out to a mixer and run a line from your mic into the mixer, then run the mix into the second computer on which the recording software is running.

Or, call the person using hands-free on the phone and hold it close to a mic. Not ideal, but it works.

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Permalink Reply by Tim from Radio Clash on March 4, 2008 at 13:51

You can get a recording line out for phones that either plug between the wall and the phone or the phone handset if you have one of those replaceable handset phones with that small US phone jack...try Maplins, the quality is not bad, not as good as radio but they have hyper expensive elecktrickery to use.

Better than close to the mic is a phone-mic, but they aren't as good as the direct line out doobries, as those record handling noise. But handsfree on a mobile can work but sounds a bit odd.

If not, Skype as Mark said. Or voicemail - doesn't some vm record a call then sends it to you?

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Permalink Reply by Brad P. from NJ on March 6, 2008 at 20:29

I found a little piece of software for my Treo that will allow me to record calls to wav format. Surprisingly enough, it's called Audacity, but it's not free. I think I spend about 30USD, that's about 1.50 Pounds Sterling, I think.

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Permalink Reply by paul nicholls on March 10, 2008 at 13:36

I had this problem when a mate and I were phoning Balti Houses for a Balti tasting podcast - incredibly the best thing was to simply have the studio set up ..... with the phone on loudspeaker - it worked a treat!

I can record via Skype by my USB Alesis Mixer, but the easiest and best audio was the phone speaker... a no brainer really...

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Permalink Reply by Rob on May 15, 2008 at 22:05

I brought a Linksys iPhone a while ago (way before Apple got the name)...

"Linksys iPhone CIT300 Cordless phone / USB VoIP phone"

Which you can use for skype and landline calls for under £40. It comes with a jack in the handset that you can put a 2.5mm jack from Maplin in that'll go into your mixing desk / soundcard - then you can just record either landline or skype calls through your desk. No software routing and you've got a handsfree skype handset for around the house - that you can record. Simple to use once you've set it up, just dial the number. As its going through the desk you can tweak EQ, add some compression etc to make it sound good. Plus you can route your mics and other signals back through the phone - meaning guests on the phone can hear the show no problems.

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Permalink Reply by Peter King on May 16, 2008 at 7:31

Thank you Rob, and all those who have responded so far. The CIT300 sounds like an ideal way to do it, especially if when your recording you only record the caller from the landline and not your own voice. (Reason obviously being that it means you've got a clear line while your speaking into a decent mic!).

Have been thinking of re-launching my old driving instructors podcast for which the ability to record off the phone will be important, so do appreciate the responses. Cheers!

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