Skype (for those who don’t know) is an awesome and free VoIP computer program. Unfortunately, recording with it can be a pain, especially if you have a cruddy soundcard (like your’s truly).

Luckily though I was able to configure Skype recording on Windows with my soundcard. The quality is good and its useful for podcasters or whatever you might want to record for.

You need:

Windows (XP or 2000 for skype!)
Windows Mixer, aka Volume Control (the little speaker on your taskbar)
Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/)
Skype (if you don’t have it, get it)

Step one, install it all. You have volume control already.

Step two, open TWO instances of Volume Control. Pick one of them to be recording and one to be playback. Go to the one you chose to be recording. Click on “Options” (where File usually goes) and select Properties. In the properties window, check the radio button (the round one) that says “Recording”. Make sure the “Stereo Mix” option is checked. Sometimes this is called Wave Out. Press Okay to close the Properties window. Now make sure the “select” checkbox under Stereo Mix (or Wave Out) is checked.

Step three, go back to Playback. Make sure you have Wave Out and Microphone available using the same method as above, just this time you won’t select the recording option (since you’re already set to playback). Make sure microphone isn’t muted. You want the volume on Microphone to be fairly low.

Step four, open Audacity. Next to the volume controls for Microphone and Speakers (input/output, you’ll see them!) select Stereo Mix or Wave Out from the drop down.

Open Skype and do a test call. Press record in audacity. Then press stop (not pause) and check it. Everything should be beautiful!

Enjoy your newfound skype abilities, and remember- ALWAYS make sure the other party(s) know you are recording your calls. Otherwise you’re just wiretapping without wires. And that’s wrong.

Chris

[tags]skype,recording,record,audacity,windows,audio,podcast,free,tutorial,how-to[/tags]