Record phone calls using audacity

Special Interest Groups Recording Techniques
1

So I’ve managed to successfully record a phone call using audacity by using a phono cable and connecting it to the microphone port on my laptop, crystal clear audio. However I have 2 problems that I’m hoping someone could help me out with

The first being, while i’m successfully able to record their part of the conversation I can’t record mine. What I would like for audacity to do in this case is also listen to the hardware microphone on my laptop as well as the input from my phone via microphone input port.

Second, I cant hear the other side of the conversation while my phone is plugged into the laptop via a phono cable. Is there anyway to hear what im recording as im recording it.

So basically, I want to use my laptop as an amp (hearing input from mic as its happening) as well both microphone sources being active at the same time (phono input and built in microphone)


Now there is a very easy solution I can follow and that just putting my phone on speaker and using the laptops hardware microphone to record both sides but the clarity isn’t as clear. Obviously if there was no solution to the dilemma’s mentioned above thats the route I would go down as the call in question is an important one

I would appreciate any help

2

just putting my phone on speaker and using the laptops hardware microphone to record both sides but the clarity isn’t as clear.

Try a higher quality external microphone. This is by far the easiest and cheapest way out of this. Koz

3

Kinda skirted the whole issue of what I wanted to do but thanks anyway

4

This is a popular posting. No solutions past money-based Skype recording and open-air conference call recording. The instant you try to do “grownup” radio call-in style production you get into telephone hybrids and writing big checks.

This isn’t easy. Land-line telephones in particular have two very different volume conversations going both ways down one pair of wires at the same time plus 48 volt DC call management battery. Do Not be holding onto those wires if a call rings in. You generally only do that once.

To split the services for production requires a hybrid.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=300164&Q=&is=REG&A=details

And that’s a cheap one that sometimes doesn’t work very well – by their own instructions.

Koz