Ever have an issue with Skype? Choppy connection, hiss in your audio, disconnected from your interviewee or co-host? These are just a few of the issues some podcasters are experiencing when using Skype. However, Skype, in many cases still remains one of the better ways to connect with remote interviewees and co-hosts. But what if there was a reliable substitute? Enter Google Plus Hangouts and Hangouts On-Air.
If Skype is working great for your recordings, keep doing what you’re doing. But if you’re having any number of issues that Skype often has, consider trying Google Plus Hangouts. G+ Hangouts are an easy way to record video or audio only chats. When connected live, the audio is great and the connections seem to be more stable than Skype in my recent experience.
Again, this is just an alternative if you’re having issues with Skype. No need to change your workflow if you’re happy with the way things are. If you’re using a mixer setup to record your calls, simply connect with your Google account and record your interview just like you would a Skype call. For those of you using software solutions such as Pamela for Windows or Call Recorder for Mac, this is not a solution for you. This is for more advanced setups, utilizing a mixer with mix-minus setup.
Also discussion on this episode is the recent announcement and retraction of Skype cutting off their API for third party recording apps. Skype had planned to discontinue the desktop API which allowed some third party recording apps like Pamela to record Skype conversations. A couple weeks later they decided not to do that. Whatever software app you are currently using to record Skype will continue to work.
This episode was recorded using an ATR2100 microphone (with foam windscreen) plugged directly into the computer via USB and recorded with both Audacity and Soundtrack Pro.
Links* mentioned on this episode:
- Audacity – free recording and editing software for Mac, Windows, Linux
- ATR2100 USB/XLR microphone
- Hangouts On Air Studio Mode Audio Analysis
- The Podcasters’ Studio Episode 31 – Mixers, Mix-Minus…
- Skype blog post regarding their desktop API
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