Need help and equipment recording phone interview thru computer and USB mic

[mwagner]

Hi everyone, I was approached by someone about a possible phone interview and recording through my computer and USB mic.

I have a Dell Dimension 2400 desktop, a Marshall MXL-007 USB Mic, and Wavepad and Goldwave recording software.

Now this may seem silly, but what do I need to do, and what special phone dand program do I need to get?

Thanks for your help!

Mike

[CurtisMachek]

Make way for the self-appointed King of phone-to-audio technology.

 

Mike, it really depends on the outcome/quality you hope to achieve. Keep in mind, what I say is the standard method, there's many others. For the longest time, I mic'd a speakerphone.

 

I'll assume your going to want to use a standard land line for the interview.

 

Just so you know, I have never tried to hook one of these baby's up with a USB microphone. I am wondering how possible it is to route the sound from your USB Mic to the output of your audio card/interface, and then use the Line In on your audio card/interface to input the caller/send mix (you'll see what I mean).

 

First off, a phone line is a single pair of wires, which carry both your side AND the other side of the conversation. This makes is somewhat difficult to achieve a good quality sound. In order to get sound as you'd hear on the radio, you'll need some sort of an interface (there's two kinds).

 

Type 1: A Phone Hybrid

 

http://168.75.125.68/assets/product_images/large/jkaud_BroadcastHost_Front.jpg

 

A phone hybrid does more than the other type (coupler). A phone hybrid is what is used in 99% of radio studios, and it separates your send audio from what is sent back into the mixer. Both the hybrids pictured above are simple to use, in that it goes between the line in the wall, and any old phone. The idea is that you dial out on the phone, and then turn the hybrid on, which allows you to use your microphone/mixer.

 

Type 2: A Coupler

 

http://168.75.125.68/assets/product_images/medium/jkau_that2.jpg

http://www.bswusa.com/proditem.asp?item=THAT2

A coupler is similar to a hybrid, however, you don't get audio separation, which is key in a good quality interview.

 

Wiring It Up

 

They're very easy to hook up. Most hybrids have the option of inputting Mic AND Line level audio, so you could hook up a mic right to it, or you could output from your audio card (as I mentioned above).

 

Basically, you put the audio going out to the phone into the SEND jack, and the audio coming back is in the CALLER output. There is also a MIX output, which simply returns the send audio, in addition to the caller audio.

 

As far as recording/editing, you can use whatever program you feel like using.

 

That's about all there is to know. Radio stations will use full blown multi-line hybrids (picture below) but these aren't very common in production studios.

 

http://168.75.125.68/assets/product_images/large/comr_stac12.jpg

 

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Below are some BSW links for the common hybrids.

 

http://www.bswusa.com/proditem.asp?item=HOST

http://www.bswusa.com/proditem.asp?item=ONE

http://www.bswusa.com/proditem.asp?item=DH20

 

 

Hope that helps!

-Curtis

[LeafpileRadio]

A cheap way to do this with what you got, go to 7-11 or Radio Shack, get a MagicJack! and then run the audio through your computer with the STEREO MIX or What You Hear.

[JBVoice]

Finally!!!!! Someone else who uses Magic Jack!!! I have always used magic jack for all my interviews. Plug it in the laptop, use the soft phone rather than plugging a landline in it, run the sound to the mixer and use the built in mic on the laptop for them to hear me! Easy as can be! Plus, magic jack is $20 a year for unlimited local and long distance calls, wherever you have a broadband connection! This technique will also work with skype, its the same principle.

[LeafpileRadio]

lol I got a magicjack hooked into a Telos TWOX12. Works like a charm.

[JBVoice]

I own a phone hybrid, have NO CLUE who makes it. I got it off a friend who told me he "made it himself", which I wouldn't put it past him, he is an engineer lol. Though, it looks like a product you'd by in the store, no brands, logos, nothing...I actually have it for sale about to ship out to someone haha