Skype for Interviewshttp://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=skype-for-interviews-1198388936660724-2&stripped_title=skype-for-interviews
After years of discouraging the use of Skype for interviews here at The Conversations Network, we’re now saying a resounding Yes! Paul Figgiani and I have prepared this audiovisual presentation that covers all you need to know in order to get true broadcast-quality Skype recordings.
For more info and discussion, visit The Conversations Network’s forums.
Blogarithms 
Excellent tutorial guys. Thanks! 😀
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Hi,
I want to create files I can work with in garageband (break the phone calls up into pieces, mix in music and other audio.) Can I do that with Skype? Thanks for a great tutorial.
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Hello great tutorial, checking my skype technical log I see a codec called SILK, I understand this codec is new and its suppose to be better, will your tweaks still apply, ie. port forwarding all those examples. Thanks in advance.
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Paul and I have not had a chance to check out the new codec in detail. Theoretically it *should* be even better than SVOPC. All other aspects of the video still apply since they’re independent of the codec used.
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Hello,
Great tutorial. I work for a television station in Chicago. We have a very specific need for skype. Recently we sent a reporter to Afganstan and used skype for live television reports. One problem we have encountered is when ever the video breaks up the audio breaks up too, is there a way to make the audio independent of the video? We want to keep hearing the reporter on the other end even if the video connection is down or breaking up. Please advise.
Thanks,
Lorne Golman
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I haven’t studied Skype’s protocols at the packet level, but my guess is that whatever causes a loss of packets for video is doing the same for audio. They might even be in the same packets for that matter. So there’s not likely to be anything you can do.
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Thanks very much for making this tutorial! I took some notes while watching and thought others might appreciate having the key points outlined while configuring:
Of course, shut down any other bandwidth/CPU users
Enable technical call info in Skype preferences
During a call, you want:
No or nearly no packet loss
Roundtrip under 200ms
BM (bandwidth) > 5000
UDP status (both): Good
CPU < 25% (very important!)
Relays: 0 is the ideal
Router settings (which lower relays):
Static IP
Forward your incoming Skype port (TCP/UDP) to your IP
Recording Skype calls:
Seperate tracks for host and guest make post-production easier
Record in WAV of AIFF, not MP3
Mac: Audio Hijack Pro (best) or Call Recorder
Play outputs through left channel
Play inputs through right channel
Fill audio gaps with nothing
Windows: CallBurner (best), Pamela, TotalRecorder Pro, CallSoft VOiP
Audio format: PCM 44.1kHz 16 bit stereo
Store raw audio in addition
Post-Production:
Use gate or auto gain reduction
Or, mute tracks manually when that side isn’t talking
The Levelator (plugin) evens levels as the final stage
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Thank you for taking the time to produce is video.
Have you all tried these tests with video also? I sure a lot of your settings information would pertain to video also. Could you also produce a video to talk about video parameters? Or do you have some information?
I have broadcast quality cameras which I would want to use as an external camera to a MacBook Pro 17″ v10.5.7 2.93 Ghz processor to interface using Skype
Any comments or help would be appreciated.
Dieter
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Hi, Dieter. We have little experience with video and don’t have plans to produce another program about video. All of the router configuration issues should be the same however.
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nice programs…
but i use for recording Skype SkypeCap Mac
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Hi Doug….
1) do you consider this video still up to date or are there any relevant changes since video made?
2) any opinion about skype vs vonage or another service for recording broadcast quality interviews?
3) I have only skimmed the video thus far – I dont think this is covered – I apologize if it is – with your settings can you easily do voice effects and send sound to person you are talking to – and record all that – for example if I was interviewing you about a song could a play clips of the song – and you would hear it and the clips would be recorded on one of the channels too?
4)is there any reason at this point people would still use a hybrid for a home set up?
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a couple of additions to above
(in question 4 I meant if only have VOIP phones anyway – does hybrid play any useful role
5) if just getting started with this stuff – any opinion of mac vs pc?
6)I have heard Skype may be on brink of being sold or closed..any idea if this is true- do u know if recording 2 channel broadcast quality interviews could easily be done with vonage too?
7) any other helpful sources you would recommend for recording broadcast quality audio interviews over phone?
thanks so much…I stumbled onto this site on a google search and it appears very helpful
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That’s a lotta questions, Ben! To avoid a super-long post…
1. Skype has a new codec (SILK) that should be at least as good for this purpose as SVOPC.
2. Vonage and other VoIP services can have good quality, but with Vonage you still need a hybrid.
3. Depends entirely on the setup on your computer. Macs and PCs are different in this regard. You gotta play with it.
4. Hybrids are generally ore reliable than all the stuff we use with Skype. More dropped calls with Skype.
5. No opinion. We use both. Windows is the first to get new Skype features and codecs.
6. No idea about the biz stuff. See earlier answer to Vonage. I think you still need a hybrid to get the audio off the analog side of the adapter unless there’s a digital interface. I’ve used Comcast VoIP but never Vonage.
7. http://transom.org/?p=1165
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Thank You!..
a few follow ups
1) when you say “more dropped calls with Skype” vs hybrid – do you mean with all skype calls in general or do you mean specifically when you are recording you are more often losing calls?
2)Can your system handle speaking/recording multiple callers at once
3) When asked above about sharing sound files with peron you are interviewing – I imagine people must be dong this – anyone know what works best with this system for a mac to do that – for example – if I am interviewing someone about a song and want to play them a clip of the song and get their response – of course – in this instance I would want to record my voice, their voice and the song I am playing for them
4) do you have links to interviews you have done usng the set up described in the video (I know the video itself demonstrates this – but would love to hear multiple “real life” examples)
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One tip I have that you’d not mentioned for the PC, is the use of the “Skype for Business” version: http://www.skype.com/business/
It has always boasted better quality on voice and business calls. I have no proof but what I believe it does is adjust the priority of the threads so that it is not optimized for sharing resources with games, but for producing the highest quality call. I’ve used it rather than the standard version for years. I work for b5media and being virtualized company spread across several nations/continents, we rely on Skype for communications 8+ hours a day.
(That said, I am refusing the 4.0 upgrade – as it removes many of the text chat benefits. Down with Skype 4!!!)
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Ben, Nothing to do with recording, just that Skype drops more calls than most analog land lines. Seems worse on Skype conference calls. And that’s the answer to (2): We use Skype conferencing. Re (3) as I said earlier, you need to test and play to see what works. All the recent Technometria series are done using Skype: http://itc.conversationsnetwork.org/series/technometria.html
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Does anyone know offhand if Vonage Companion (Vonage’s softphone which can automatically record) can record file in stereo – i.e left and right channel for input and output and if so how does it compare to skype
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Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. 🙂 Cheers! Sandra. R.
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anyone know if snow leopard – mac’s latest OS is compatible with all this stuff? – I was just going to add it
also – how do you get the person on other end to to hear (and part of your recording) sound files/sound effects?
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Great demo, thanks.
Does anyone have a tip for avoiding that “wet mouth” sound that some people (like the main speaker on this demo) have?
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I use SkypeCap too
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I watched the video and was fine until he got to the firewall stuff. I’m on a Mac and I got nothing that remotely looks like his screenshots.
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Adding G-Recorder to my phone interview system – http://barnstorm-media.com/?p=303
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thanks for the great information! I can’t wait to try this skype voide recording out.
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The tutorial is very clear and detailed, so thanks! I’ve done 2 recordings: 1 within the office (on the same network) which turned out crystal clear, and 1 remote (between TX and MA), which turned out clear, but has strange intermittent beeps sprinkled throughout. Is that due to the internet connection itself? Any quick fixes for it?
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2 questions
1) if connect directly to cable modem does that negate having to poke port holes?
2) should the new superfast internet connections – such as Fios or Time Warners Wideband make a significant difference in clarity?
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Anonymous: (1) If there’s no router then you may not need to do some of these things, but make sure there’s no router running in your computer. Often there is. (2) Once the bandwidth is more than Skype will use, there’s no advantage to a higher connection speed.
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concerning your response in #82 above…do you know what the max bandwith is that skype will use? Does the normal boradband fulfill that? or do faster speeds especially upload in Fios make better?
and do you know offhand if a macbook pro has this internal router you speak of?
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I don’t know the max Skype will use, but it’s certainly much less than what a broadband connection provides. Video will use more than just audio. FIOS shouldn’t help unless you’ve got a lot of other activity on your connection at the same time.
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any idea why the skypeout is always a “lower” codec than a skype to skype…do you guys use skypeout or only skype to skype?
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Hi,i use IMCapture for Skype.It’s prog for record audio and video calls.I like it.
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mmm…agree IMCapture for Skype nice program too
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Thanks for this great tutorial. I’ve been looking for this sort of information for my interviews. I’ll refer all my colleagues to your blog. Great job!
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Sign: zdbrw Hello!!! qpeua and 3388wnqrynzwva and 1934 : I love your blog. 🙂 I just came across your blog.
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When I Skype to Skype Echo/Sound Test, I get wonderful tech specs on the call, including Codec=SILK_V3 and Relays=0. But when I look at Call Technical Information for a SkypOut call to my regular telephone, the Call Technical Information shows Codec=G729, and the Relays is missing (as well as SessionOut and SessionIn). Is this normal for a SkypeOut call to a regular telephone?
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Sorry, I meant to say the entire Relays LINE is missing. Also, UDP status local=Good but UDP status remote= is blank after the equals sign. Same question.
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To record all kinds of conversations I use TalkAide for Skype.
http://www.talkaide.com/TalkAide_for_Skype/
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I purchased Total Recorder Standard Edition but find it very inconsistent in how it works with Skype. Did several interviews with it & Skype. I had my voice on 1 channel & the skype voice on the other – so I can edit each separately if I needed to. Well, today it stopped working like that. Records the same data to both channels. I have spent so so much time just second guessing Total Recorder, still not figuring it out. I am ready to trash it and throw it out. Don’t want to spend another minute on their website as it will be all, “Ra, Ra, Ra” How good is that stuff …
I need something simple to setup yet reliable, in that it always works. As a podcaster, I can’t waste my time babysitting a recorder. I have to produce podcasts, like many of you. I am on a PC, btw.
Suggestions or Recommendations appreciated !
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As for recording skype calls i use IMCapture for Skype
http://www.imcapture.com/IMCapture_for_Skype/.I always record my interviews with it’s help.
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i truly recomend http://www.imcapture.com/IMCapture-for-Skype/
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Fantastic presentation. Video interviewing for skills assessment is really the future of recruiting. Anything to speed up placement is seen as a huge win by recruiters.
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Great presentation-thanks for all the detail–what is the current (latest) codec we should have now?
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Yes, also wondering what the lastest codec should be? Great presentation.
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