I'm about to buy some Skype credits to I can record my interviews. Have any of you done this before? Is there anything I should be aware of? Does the recording allow you to slow down the speed for easier transcription? How large of the files? Are they in some proprietary Skype format or are they WMV? All input is appreciated.
Hi ... I record interview via Skype all the time. Try MX Skype Recorder, it's a great product. Far as I know, MX Recorder files can be any size. Last Sunday, I did a 2-hour interview in one file. Cell phone interviews have many problems, such as too many variations in signal quality; Skype can't adjust fast enough. Skype to Skype and land-line to Skype are a dream. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Personally, I'll probably use Google voice for such things in the future. It's free (to make US calls) and has the recording capability built right in. You just hit '4' when you're on the call (received by your Google Voice number). I haven't played with it yet, but it says they save it just like voicemails. Wonder if they transcribe them for you automatically too, like they do with voicemails. That would be a perfect interview tool if they do. Maybe we should test it Monday during our chat.
It should be good. But please note that you have to make sure you tell them that you record it, and you have to be able to proof that you have. Else, it would be illegal
That's only true in certain states. They're state rules; not federal. For example, I live in Pennsylvania. Here, both parties do have to know it's recorded, so I would have to let them know I'm recording up front. However, in other states only one party has to know it's being recorded (so they would not have to notify the other person first). They're calling it a Skype killer. Haven't used it too much, but so far I'm inclined to agree. The transcriptions alone make it the better option for writers. I'll call someone today and see if those work for recorded calls or only VMs. EDIT: Just tested it out and 1. You can only record incoming calls it seems - not calls you make through GV (or at least I can't figure out how if you can). 2. When they call, you get a menu to choose from. You choose 4 and it turns recording on. Before you talk to the person, GV tells them that call recording is on (so you don't personally have to tell them). 3. The call recording quality seems pretty crisp. 4. It doesn't look like they transcribe recorded calls (yet at least) - only VMs. Would be awesome if they add that in the future though. Oh well. If nothing else, the recording itself is nice, and the quality's good enough that you could use it for podcast interviews.
I dont live in america, and i just recall in my country we have rules for that, as our laws are based on personal freedom and rights
In the end it doesn't matter. I tested it, and Google Voice automatically notifies them by playing a message saying that recording is turned on. So the user doesn't have to worry about the rule where they live - GV takes the automatic conservative route.
There has got to be a way to make it record when you call out...I don't to have to get all my interviewees to call me. Hmmm....I'm going to see what I can figure out, signed up this AM
Wondering if there's a way for it to be integrated with Skype in some way. If you figure something out re: recording outgoing, let us know! EDIT: Possible solution (well, "good enough" I guess). Rather than having contacts call you on their dime, GV has widgets. You can add it to your site. Then the person clicks it, GV calls them, and then connects them to you. Wonder if that counts as an incoming call for you, which would allow you to record it. It's flash, so not sure if it would work via email, but if it did that could be an option.
Well, that call widget is pretty awesome. I like that I can keep work and personal separate without any additional expense and that clients who call no longer have to hear my cats meowing as part of my "crazy, shut-in cat lady" personal voice mail message.
LOL. At this point, still no luck finding a better solution, and I'll have to quit trying (to get back to work). It sucks that they'd have to call you instead of the other way around, but in the case of interviewees I imagine most would be ok with it (since it's free for them).
I would personally try the google voice option. The problem with Skype is the quality is not as good as a hard line or cellphone. If you know anyone that has used Skype they can tell you that on occasion your sound quality will degrade so bad that you have to call the person back or worse the call will completely drop. The last thing you want to be doing durring and interview is having to call the person back every 10 minutes.
See, I don't have that problem with Skype. I only have dropped calls when 3 or more people are on the line. After recording in both Google and Skype today, I have to declare Skype the clear winner. It sounds better since you can record computer to computer (even my crappy current microphone sounded awesome) and records as an MP3 which immediately nestles itself in your hard drive. Google's recorded sound quality was pretty darn good considering we recorded while on phones, but it still has that phone sound. Skype wins..so far
If I'd called you from Skype instead, you probably wouldn't be saying that. Quality for my calls was always complete and utter crap. I don't know why. I just seem to have lousy luck w/ them. The other person's voice always goes in and out constantly for me, and they often get a weird loud buzzing kind of sound from me (even though I don't hear it). Baffled. I was thinking... hoping I didn't say anything you can hold over me later now that that conversation's archived and out there in Googleland. lol
Girl, I have so much power over you right now, I'm drunk with it. Of course, I let you in on my number one secret of seduction so I guess I have as much to lose as you do
Huh? What? No.... We were completely professional. You must be thinking of someone else. Send me a copy if you think of it (not for blackmail purposes lol - just want to check the quality on the call with GV to GV instead of regular phone to GV). And shoot your address over and I'll mail you that brain candy we talked about.
Hi ... good form to let interviewee know you're recording, also gives you reason to name and spell names for the transcriber, right from the start. No legal need to inform, in most places. I've been doing this stuff for a long, long, long time. Good luck.