OT: Best device to record audio from phone calls?

ken c wrote on 6/1/2007, 6:10 AM
Hi - does anyone have any recommendations for the best device to record phone calls with? I need that for teleseminars I do. I've been using an Eratech/Beat sounds EVR-500, which is ok, but there's a differential on the sound quality from me speaking, vs the other person on the phone, that I then have to go manually clean up a lot in adobe audition/vegas etc..

Any high-quality devices (up to $300 or so) that can be used to cleanly record phone calls, that you've seen on the market?

thanks much,

ken

Comments

baysidebas wrote on 6/1/2007, 7:02 AM
"there's a differential on the sound quality from me speaking, vs the other person on the phone"

No recording device will help you with that. Some telephone instruments may do better than others, but that you'll have to determine experimentally. The prime question is how you're picking up the signal. Are you using the quick and dirty method of tapping into the handset? Or are you using a phone tap right onto the phone line? Or, perish the thought, are you using a speakerphone and recording the acoustical waves?

There is equipment specifically designed [for broadcasting use] to interface the telephone system to audio systems. Markertek is a good source:
One device that may be useful
Baron Oz wrote on 6/1/2007, 8:05 AM
Try a THAT-1 or THAT-2. This is a simple phone tap that connects to the handset cord on a standard phone. They run a little over $100 dollars last time I bought one.

Ted
dat5150 wrote on 6/1/2007, 4:44 PM
Do a search on the Olympus TP7. It's a simple device that works surprisingly well. Cost around $16 on amazon.
TGS wrote on 6/1/2007, 4:45 PM
If you don't have any 60hz hums coming in or other noise, I'd just compress it like crazy. Use the Hard limiting compression and turn up the input until both voices sound like they have equal volume. I use a $20. Radio shack Model 43-228A, not professionally, but I can get it to sound pretty good.
Coursedesign wrote on 6/2/2007, 12:36 AM
JK Audio's hybrids do it best, imho. They invented the category and they put a lot of work into balancing the sound and solving all the nagging problems/

They even have tiny boxes that hook up to mobile phones now.

As noted, Markertek sells a few of their hybrids, but for their full assortment, see http://www.jkaudio.com/.
ken c wrote on 6/2/2007, 3:07 AM
Thanks all - agree looks like jkaudio's devices are a good fit for this - appreciate it!

ken