Basic Skype questions - haaaalp!!!

One of the reporters for The Tibet Connection wants to set up her laptop PC (I think she has Windows XP - let me know if this really matters) to record Skype calls. She uses Audacity to edit stuff, in case this matters. I believe she already has Skype downloaded onto her computer but just needs to record it easily!!

I was told that Powergramo is very good. We would need the Professional or Enterprise version since we need separated audio channels for microphone voice and callers' voice.

1.) Do you have any suggestions for very easy to use software that records the caller on one channel and her on the other?

2.) Is there anything I also need to look out for or any other peripheral equipment that she needs (besides obviously a headset of some kind)?

I got asked to do this even though I've never used Skype ever and don't really know how it works. Naturally, I've turned to the collective wisdom that is the SSS Forum!!! Any good advice is greatly appreciated!!!!

Why do you want to record Skype conversations?

It

I do some tech writing in conjunction with a group of people who occasionally use Skype for a voice meeting, so I set it up on my own computer. I haven't had occasion to use it yet other than to test it with their "answering machine" but I'm pretty sure that one of the built-in options is to record the conversation. It may be, however, that this is a mono recording with both sides of the conversation together.

Since most of my audio I/O devices are "professional" I could only get Skype to work with a limited range of hardware. The best option with what I have is a CEntrance MicPort Pro. I couldn't get it to work with the Mackie Satellite. Probably a consumer-type USB headset would be the best choice.

As far as Powergramo is concerned, from the FAQ:

Dual Audio Track means your voice and your partner's voice are saved in two individual audio tracks, making it very convenient for future editing. This will be very useful for professional podcast users.

NOTE: This feature need PowerGramo Professional.

So that answers one of your questions. What's not clear, though it's suggested, is that in the "duplex" mode, it records two files, one for each end of the conversation. Editing that with Audacity is no problem since you can play and mix two files, but it means that you'll have to explain what to do, maybe write the manual.

Well, here at least you're likely to get technical answers from people who know audio but don't necessarily know Skype. If you were to go to a Skype forum (and I'm sure there are a few) you'd probably get technical answers from people who don't necessarily know technology. That's usually where I find myself when I have a technical question about a consumer audio application,

There's a plug-in for Skycalled CallBurner. Find out more here.

You can optionally record both sides of the conversation as MP3 or if you want better fidelity, as a WAV file. If others have CallBurner, it's free to record calls otherwise you can buy a single computer license for about 50 Euros that lets you record any calls. The cost includes updates and tech support for 12 months, but the license itself has no time limit - it's a one-time fee for that computer.

It should work fine with XP.

BTW I'm quite into Skype. I'm in Europe right now, and it lets me keep in touch with home for free! Can't beat that. My cell phone is $1 a minute, even with a foreign roaming plan.

Oh - I should also add that if you buy Skype credits to talk to landlines and cell phones for cheap, the licensed version of CallBurner should work with those as well.

Most of the podcasts I listen to use this....which I now notice won't work cause she is using XP...

Most of the podcasts I listen to use this. ...which I now notice won't work cause she is using XP...

:thu:That is THE BEST if you're on a Mac. I'm glad to know there is an alternative for Windows users, though.