resize text: decrease text size increase text size

Online Journalism News

How to: Record Skype calls with Nicecast

Podcasting is all the rage and we at journalism.co.uk have been searching for a neat solution for recording our key Skype telephone interviews straight to MP3 files.

We found the answer in Rogue Amoeba's Nicecast ($40 or £24.09 for full version; free downloadable demo version also available). Intended primarily for broadcasting over the web, this software has a neat function that allows you to record straight to MP3.

Here is how we did it (nb this solution is for Apple Mac OSX users).

In our test, we used a Plantronics headset. After plugging the headset into a USB slot, select the device for both output and input in your Apple's sound preferences. Open Skype and make sure the headset is also selected for audio output and input in its preferences.

Now open Nicecast. In the window headed "Broadcast", click the "Source" button. In the Source drawer, select Audio device in the first dropdown menu, then select your headset (if you intend to use one - eg in our case Plantronics) from the dropdown menu headed "Select".

Under the "Window menu", show the "Archiving" window. Select the destination folder you want your MP3 files to appear in and click the "Archive" button to make it active.

Now open the "Effects" window. Insert the "Application Mixer" by clicking on one of the target squares (where it says "Click here to insert effect"). In the Application Mixer window, set Skype as the application and leave the "Crossfade" at the default setting of 50 per cent. Check the "Monitor Output" square and hit the "Hijack" button.

Dial a number on Skype. Click the "Start Broadcast" button in the main Broadcast window to start recording, and "Stop Broadcast" to end it.

An MP3 file will be now saved in the destination folder you selected earlier. Rename and date the file as appropriate and open it in iTunes. You can then use iTunes to manage all your telephone interview files.

• Any PC users out there who have a similarly neat solution for Windows, feel free to email me with step-by-step instructions and I will add them as a comment below.

Comments? Email me

**** UPDATE 17/5/06 ****

The Ecamm Network has just released a product - Call Recorder - for Mac OSX which is specifically designed for recording Skype conversations. We haven't tested it yet, but the features list looks good and when we do, we will be sure to write a full updated review. You can download a demo here.

More "how tos" from journalism.co.uk:
How to: Run a sticky blog, by Mimi New York
How to: Get to grips with RSS in three minutes
How to: Have children and a freelance career
Daniell Morrisey of the BBC: How to prepare for that crucial interview
How to: Apply for a job - and how not to
How to publish the perfect email newsletter

Tags (click tag to find related articles; click icon for feed):
reviews | howtos | skype | nicecast | apple mac |

Sign up here for our free, daily email newsletter to get all the latest stories, jobs, tips and more.

Got a story? Call our news team on +44 (0)1273 384290 or email them.

Comments

Tested. But I think for recording skype it's a little over-complicated. There are some neater tools for that purpose, .eg PowerGramo (<a href="http://www.powergramo.com">http://www.powergramo.com </a> ). It's much more simple, but still well working.
zq c, fb - 25/02/08

You must be registered in order to post a comment. Click here to register or login below if you are already registered:

    

Forgotten your password? Please click here



JOB OF THE WEEK

Content manager

Reporting to the head of communications, this exciting, newly created role will involve working closely with NFU policy teams to identify writing opportunities for various internal and external media ...more

Freelancers for hire

  • Dalbert Hallenstein

    Verona, Italy

  • Joanne Mungovin

    Leicester, United Kingdom

  • Carli Smithers

    Dubai, United Arab Emirates

...see all

DISPLAY ADVERTISING

image

Target our journalism community of 16,000 subscribers and 100k+ visitors monthly. Call Ellie on 01273 384291

News Now