This is not meant to be a definitive list, but just a list of possible software solutions for podcasters to consider when they want to record a Microsoft Skype call. These have been mention to me in the past by a podcaster who at the time said they worked for them.
For Windows:
For Macintosh:
For Linux:
Personally I've only used Audio Hijack Pro and then I do all my editing in Audacity (Mac, Windows, Linux).
There is reportedly a piece of malware out there called 'Aztec Media'. We have nothing to do with this software.
You should be able to use Malwarebytes to remove it. Another great option is to try Windows Defender Offline from Microsoft.
Updated: 3/10/2014
The San Diego Union-Tribune had an interesting article on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009 entitled "How Can I Preserve My Family's Memories?" by Jennifer Davies. The article has practical tips on how to capture the message, timing, location, preparation work, and other great suggestions related to recording audio memories.
On the technology side, Jennifer recommended the following potentially helpful resources:
Other technology options that I might consider recommending is a good USB microphone connected to a computer or if you wanted a hand held unit, I've read good reviews about Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder
Since I have a Marantz 660, I'd use that or maybe my older iRiver IFP-799. If you have any suggestions, then drop me an email at: [email protected] .
There is a new version of Audacity v1.3.7 (beta) and I've loaded it up on my Mac Book Pro. I used it to mix down the Jersey Boys Podcast #66 without any issues. I've been using the previous version - v1.3.6 (beta) - without any major problems, and I consider this release to be production quality.
Some of what I think are the most important fixes and updates include:
Another Audacity related item of potential interest, is that the audio for my presentation at the New Media Expo 2007 has been posted to the Podcast Academy site. Here is a link to the PDF slides and a screencast QuickTime movie of the slides.
You might have a pretty good online training experience listening to the audio from the Podcast Academy site and watching the QuickTime Movie at the same time.
I will be presenting at the New Media Expo 2008 (August 14-16, 2008) a "Getting Started With Audio Editing" session using Audacity from 2:00-3:00 p.m. in room N245 on August 14, 2008.
I have created a set of WAV files that will make up my examples and demos that folks who are attending might want to download if they plan to try to follow along during the presentation. The link is here (34-MBs .zip file).
I also have posted a copy of my Audacity 101 DAU eLearning 2008 workshop slides in PDF format, and a link to a Blip.TV movie that includes the screencasts that are embedded in the presentation. Unfortunately the movie is not sync'd with audio so you have to work your way through them without narration.
NOTE: I will be doing my demos at PME 2008 using the Audacity v1.3.5 (beta) release.
There was a question the other day on the New Media Expo Pathable Community mailing list about how to record phone conversations via POTS connections.
I use a Telos-One-R (R = rack mountable) that I picked up on eBay and this is a diagram of my setup:
The Telos One comes highly recommended from two very smart audio gurus at IT Conversations: Doug Kaye and Paul Figgiani.
Paul has posted some great resources about the topic over at Podcast Rigs especially this post "Telos One, Talkshoe and Skype." There is also a great podcast with Doug Kaye (MP3) over at Podcast Academy that covers this topic.
Both Paul and Victor Cajiao at the Typical Mac User Podcast helped me setup the configuration of my unit - which is done manually with a small screw driver. I also borrowed Paul's unit diagram of a Telos One for my picture. Thanks Paul!
I am pretty happy with how this is working now, but I would recommend doing some post production processing on the phone track (usually your guest) with something like SoundSoap.
Online registration is now available for the 4th annual New Media Expo 2008 in Las Vegas, NV from Thursday, August 14 through Saturday, August 16, 2008.
I will be presenting an updated version of my "Getting Started With Audio Editing - Hands-on With Audacity" interactive session at this conference. This presentation is in the "Track 1: Audio and Video Creation 101" series, and will be held Thursday, August 14, 2008 from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm.
If you are new to podcasting, audio editing, or to the open source multi-platform Audacity audio editing and production tool, then this will be a great session for you to attend. This year's expo looks to be as good or better than previous years.
If you can't wait for New Media Expo 2008, here are some references that I've done on the topic of audio editing with Audacity:
The audio for my PNME 2007 presentation is available via Podcast Academy.
NOTE: There is an audio version of my Podcast Academy 3 presentation in the archives of Podcast Academy, but those are being transferred from GigaVox Media at this time and are offline. As soon as link becomes available, I'll post it.
This afternoon I was trying to find a potential project to do with my two boys this weekend, and ran into an article that I had bookmarked in MAKE:12 but forgot to blog about.
The article was by Kevin Kelly and it was entitled "Book Yourself: Innovative options enable you to publish your own text and pictures." It is a great DIY how-to on publishing your own book either by doing batch printing or print on demand.
If you are interested in batch printing (~250+ copies) check out:
And if you are looking for a print on demand publishing model, then you should check out:
The article also mentioned the option of ebook publishing using the site PayLoadz.com. They provide a service to sell downloadable items such as: ebooks, software, music, movies, digital art, manuals, articles, certificates, forms, files, etc.
The most interesting thing about the article was that Kevin did a little test where he wanted to make $1.50 a purchase no matter what medium or method. He sold them on Amazon for $9 (using B&W batch printing), then on Lulu for $27 (color print on demand), and then as a $2 PDF version on PayLoadz.com. In the end he sold 10x the number via digital than print, but still made the same amount per transaction. Neat!
A new version v1.3.4 (beta) of Audacity has been released for Windows and Linux. The latest version for the Macintosh is still v1.3.3 (beta).
This new version has a host of new features and user interface improvements. According to a press release here are the major ones:
I have installed this on two Vista PC systems without any major issues, but I do most of audio production editing on a Mac Book Pro so I have not completely run this new version through the paces.
There is a new mobile device coming out that lets users listen to streaming media while not connected to a network. The device is called the Slacker Digital Player and Walt Mossberg @ WSJ.com recently did a review. There are also some recent pictures posted to Gizmodo.
I think the device would be ideal for distributing traditional podcast material using a 'station' format based on topics or music. An indie music channel seems like a natural. Maybe a technology talk & news channel would be another logical topic cluster.