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.

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