Call Recorder: Cheaper, Easier Skype Recording
If you want to record, for example, a podcast or an important phone call over Skype, you’ve probably looked at either WireTap Pro or Audio Hijack Pro. These apps are great and powerful for much more than just Skype, but if you want absolute simplicity and all you really want to do is record both sides of a Skype conversation, Ecamm’s Call Recorder for Skype, just upgraded to version 2.0, may be the best option for you.
Call Recorder is a simple plugin for Skype that sits as a little floating window when you open the app. When you’re in a conversation, either Skype-to-Skype or Skype-to-phone, simply hit the big red record button to save the call until it ends or until you hit the stop button. The resulting recording gives you both sides of the conversation at the full quality you originally heard it in, which is just what you want for a podcast or personal phone call for your own records. With the newest version of Call Recorder, you can record one or both sides of video chats as well.
Call Recorder also allows you to customize settings for how the call is recorded. You get to choose what kind of compression you use to record, including AAC of various quality or uncompressed QuickTime movie files. You can even choose to automatically record all incoming or outgoing calls, which would be a great option for logging all your talking activity if Skype is your main “landline.” All of these great features do come at a bit of a price at US$14.95, but if all you need to do is record Skype, you’ll save money by going for Call Recorder rather than other options. Ecamm has a seven-day trial of Call Recorder for Skype, so check it out here.
MacApper Public Service Announcement: Please remember to check your local laws when recording phone conversations without consent.
Woot, I’m on the front page, hahah.
Another great review Josh, I’ve used an earlier version of Call Recorder and loved the simplicity of it: Just hit record and go. If you do that in Audio Hijack or Wiretap, you may not have recorded it if you didn’t configure it to record a Skype call. For that reason, I especially reccomend it to people who aren’t techies that may want to without using extra hardware. I’ve also used Ecamm’s iChat recorder for a video podcast over iChat, but overall I like Skype better so I’m glad they’ve added video recording. I’m going to go download the trial and if I like the video recording, I may just buy it. BTW, do you know what sample rate it records audio in?
Nothing like prank calling companies and recording it
There are also some services out there that will record all calls (Skype, POTS, mobile) without requiring download of software. RecordMyCalls.com is one example.