Comments

Coursedesign wrote on 3/6/2006, 8:56 AM
If you don't need the best quality, see if Radio Shack is still selling the $5 recording coils with a suction cup that you plop onto the back of the speaker end of your handset.

RS used to also have a cheap inline box for hooking up to a tape deck.

For best quality, you need a hybrid. JK Audio has a ton of models for different needs.

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 3/6/2006, 9:12 AM
that hybrid is too much for this project

but not a bad notion if I need one for future use. Thx.

I'm possibly going to be using a Cell phone as the land lines here aren't that great.

Dave
Chienworks wrote on 3/6/2006, 10:17 AM
I've tried a bunch of things, but so far the best result i've gotten is to have a second phone handset lying on a soft chair, push a mic up against it's earpiece, and toss a heavy sweater over them to hold them together. I get clearer recordings that way than any other method i've tried.
craftech wrote on 3/6/2006, 10:24 AM
Check these out Dave.
The other possibility is to use an answering machine with a phone REC feature. Unfortunately that means an older one with either a full size cassette tape or a mini casette tape for best sound. If it's a cell phone you cannot.

John
MichaelS wrote on 3/6/2006, 10:29 AM
If you don't have the proper hybrid equipment available, a headphone jack should work. With adjusted levels, you may get what you need.

Be aware that straight telephone lines have DC voltage on them that could damage sensitive equipment. One of the functions of a hybrid is to block the DC voltage. Don't try to connect directly to the phone jack. You'll get the audio, but you'll get the DC voltage, too. Back in my broadcast days, we always placed a DC block on each line before bringing it up to the patch bay (kinda dates me...doesn't it).

Also, you can search for phone recording software that would let you record directly using a modem card into a computer. This type of app may even be freeware.
B.Verlik wrote on 3/6/2006, 11:41 AM
Try downloading "Skype", if you have Windows XP, and record using Vegas.
Here's the other Radio Shack recorder control for telephones:
http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=2032052&kw=telephone%20record%20control
(copy & paste) about $26. and will give you an 1/8 inch TRS for recording, works well on my Sony Dig 8, record video and phone at same time.
johnmeyer wrote on 3/6/2006, 1:57 PM
The Skype solution is darned clever. Very good idea.

Also, as you evaluate some of the more traditional, direct connect to the phone line ideas, be aware that some of them present a full "load" to the line. If you have any other equipment also "listening" to the same call, this can cut the audio level in half, which can reduce the signal to noise ratio.
Coursedesign wrote on 3/6/2006, 2:03 PM
The only landline phone that can beat the sound quality of either of my Sony Ericsson cell phones is a 15 year old Bang & Olufsen phone that to my knowledge isn't even made anymore.

Sony Ericsson cell phones have much better mikes than the rest, nobody I talked to ever thought I was on a cell phone.
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 3/6/2006, 8:58 PM
Well - the plan is to get a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter designed for phone recording that are made from radio shack for 25 bux. that should do the trick.

Dave
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 3/6/2006, 9:01 PM
I totally dig skype - however the person who is needing to be recorded is considerably older, and highly non computer savy. Anywyay - I've got skype, but in order from an outside line to call costs added money.

Dave
richard-courtney wrote on 3/7/2006, 6:31 AM
See if your cell phone has a TTY or TDD adapter.
(these are the typewriter devices for deaf customers) It should
have good audio coming out that you can use an impedance
matching adapter.
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 3/7/2006, 2:29 PM
Well - I bought a device for 25 dollars that sends a sound for recording off of a cell phone jack and I ran that into my stereo line in on my M-Audio Moble Pre. Recorded that on to Vegas T/L. And it worked like a charm - only thing that I realized afterwards is that mutin the Cell phone input didn't mute the sound from my headset (the device had a separate input for that so that you could still hear what was going on and talk to the person) so I sniffled a couple of times when i ought not to have. But I got a very good sound for a phone recording off of it. Then just a little EQ'ing and I am very satisfied with the result - i think I could even just record right into my Iriver if need be on a short time frame.

Dave

Thanks again everyone.