Good PC microphone and software for recording conference calls

[Lifted]

I need to purchase a few mics to be used in some peoples offices for recording conference calls and such to their PC. Any recommendations for something that can pickup a call that might not be all that clear or loud from a speaker on a desk phone, plus the people in the room obviously?

Any software out there that would be better than Sound Recorder for this? It can't be anything too terribly complex, but it would be nice to see the levels and possibly raise them so the recording doesn't come out too low.

 

[vbuggy]

Do you want hardware specifically for recording off phones? Or are you set on hanging out microphones above conference phones? Also, check if your exchange has a recording capability - most modern exchanges do and you may even have the capability as part of your company-wide voicemail system, although you may need to purchase additional licenses, etc.

 

[Lifted]

Do you want hardware specifically for recording off phones? Or are you set on hanging out microphones above conference phones? Also, check if your exchange has a recording capability - most modern exchanges do and you may even have the capability as part of your company-wide voicemail system, although you may need to purchase additional licenses, etc.

I have a handheld digital recorder, and bought a phone suction cup mic a while ago that doesn't work at all.

Just bought a new NEC PBX for the office that will be installed soon, but those have a beep every 2 minutes. I asked the shop installing our NEC if they have a more permanent solution, so this will likely only be fore the near term, but it could end up being used for a while.

Not running UC in our Exchange org for now, so that's out.

Just looking a mic and basic software recommendation for a few people to record some meetings or calls at their desk. I know some really suck at picking up anything more than a foot away from them, which is why I'm asking here as I haven't purchased a desktop PC mic in ages.

 

[JSt0rm]

If you want to record the actual call you need a little device that taps into the phoneline and outputs to a 1/8" jack. I dont know the exact name of these things but you can google it.

 

[Lifted]

If you want to record the actual call you need a little device that taps into the phoneline and outputs to a 1/8" jack. I dont know the exact name of these things but you can google it.

I want a mic to record calls over the speaker phone. I'm not plugging into the phone itself. It's a digital phone anyway.

 

[vbuggy]

I want a mic to record calls over the speaker phone. I'm not plugging into the phone itself. It's a digital phone anyway.

There's something like this which taps into the modular jack between your phone unit and its handset. I assume that's what jSt0rm meant.

http://www.amazon.com/KJB-Security-C.../dp/B000KL0XA6

I can't vouch for that particular unit but there are lots of similar devices.

If we're talking an actual speakerphone such as a Polycom - well, the only real option aside from doing it at the exchange would be a high quality mic placed close to the unit. You'd have to figure out the pickup pattern required, but something like this would be a start. http://www.bluemic.com/yeti/

I really would recommend figuring out an exchange(telephone)-based way of doing it though. Least hassle.

 

[Lifted]

There's something like this which taps into the modular jack between your phone unit and its handset. I assume that's what jSt0rm meant.

http://www.amazon.com/KJB-Security-C.../dp/B000KL0XA6

I can't vouch for that particular unit but there are lots of similar devices.

If we're talking an actual speakerphone such as a Polycom - well, the only real option aside from doing it at the exchange would be a high quality mic placed close to the unit.

Ahh, didn't realize they had devices that tap handset cord. That would most likely work better than a mic connected to a PC, but handset it disabled when the speakerphone is activated. It's cheap enough to buy it anyway as I'm sure it will come handy at some point. Still shopping for a mic to pick up calls that are on speaker.

Yeah, I saw those blue mics on Amazon. They look a bit large though. Maybe they have some smaller models.

Hopefully the phone vendor can get us a cheap solution at the PBX without spending a small fortune on a call center license and add on.

 

[JSt0rm]

What's ur price point?

 

[JSt0rm]

at any rate I wouldnt worry about recording into a computer. I would grab something like this

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...lerid=11981947

It has a omnidirectional mic (this means you can put it on the table and it records all around itself)

It has a peak limiter so it wont distort so you can keep the gain up while the boss is yelling at his peasants.

and you can record in mp3 to microsd cards. recording as mp3 saves a shit ton of space and for something like boring meetings this is good.

Now if you need to edit this audio after recording it then you need some kind of simple editorial software (cubase le, soundforge, some cheap protools software)