Click to enlarge

About a week ago I was recording a Skype phone-interview using Call Recorder on my MacBook Pro for a client podcast episode. I was using an excellent Plantronics analog, noise-canceling microphone/headset.

After I finished, I listened to the playback and overall it was fine, except for the occasional sound of my papers shuffling on top of the computer keyboard. It was as if the on-board mic was recording and not the headset. So I began investigating and discovered my Plantronics was not registering a signal on the Mac’s VU meter.  Probably should have checked that first.  Right?  Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know.

Anyway automatically I assumed it was a faulty sound port or card.  But a few clicks on Google later I discovered via several forums that the problem was that the input is a “Line-in” audio.  Not the same as a more common “Mic-in” (that’ll have the little microphone icon)

Here’s the issue though: In reality, all microphones capture analog signals. Analog signals are basically sound waves and in speech recognition these sound waves are our voice.  But, computers cannot recognize analog sound waves.  Therefore the signal has to converted to digital.

Bottom line, here are our options:

Griffin Technologies iMic (click to enlarge)

1. Get an ADC or analog to digital converter.  There are several, but the Griffin iMic ($49) is one you’ll see pop up a lot on podcasting blogs. iMic allows you to connect many microphones and sound input devices to your iBook, PowerBook, PowerMac or other Mac or PC systems with a USB port.

2.Get a USB mic or USB Headset.  Popular headsets are made by Plantronics (about $70).  Good enough USB mics are made by Snowball, Samson and others.  Another option in this category I have gone to is the Zoom H2.  I chose it because it is a multi-tasking digital workhorse offering a lot of options:

a. The H2 can be used via USB cable as a stand-alone mic

The H2 Zoom is an .mp3, .wav recorder that can also double as a very good USB mic on a Mac. Win Win!

b. It can record 2 or 4 channel stereo onto an SD card or

c. You can use an analog mic via it’s mic-in port to record onto an SD card or to digitally pass-through your signal to your computer.

All for about the same price ($150) as a good quality, stand alone USB mic.

In any event,  if you’ve had this problem hope this post helps ease your anxiety.  Your computer is probably fine.  You just need the right equipment!

Last year when I switched to the Mac platform however the options were slim to none in this arena. I tried several apps that were supposed to work but again, I got wonky results.

But, finally I have found a recording app that really does what it says it will, and it is called simply Call Recorder from a company called Ecamm.

Wow.  It is SIMPLE to use.  When you log onto your Skype account it starts up in a little side window.  When you are ready to start recording just click on the record button and that’s it.  When you’re finished, press stop.  The result is a very nice, crisp, natural sounding .mov audio file.  I’ve only tested it a few times but one conversation was 20 minutes and there was absolutely no out-of-sync issues.  FWIW,  I chose Medium Quality setting and the quality was superb!

However what makes this even better is the ability to also record video chats via Skype with PIP option as well.  Haven’t tried that yet, though.

They give you a fully functional 7 day trial which is also great (for those like me that’ve been burnt a few times with these type apps).

How much?  That’s even better: $14.95.  Wow again!

Thank you Ecamm for this great product!