phone patch recording

Brent Halfyard · **Voice Talent** Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 6

I hear much about phone patch recording-I've never done it and do not currently have the gear. I have looked on the net and found a few sites-Can anyone enlighten me on this aspect of recording and perhaps recomended products? i don't want to be left behind!

Brent

Blake Williams · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006, 01:01 (GMT) Post subject: Solution to phone patch

SKYPE! www.skype.com

That's you're solution. With skype you can place a call to your client and he / she will hear what ever goes through your mic. No extra cables or connections. I think it's something like $12.60 for three months worth of out going calls. It's saved my butt several times.

Catch: You must have high speed internet.

Blake Williams
VBW Productions, Inc.
Moriarty, NM 87035
amfmrx@lobo.net

Brent Halfyard · **Voice Talent** Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 6

Skype sounds great! I am guessing the client must have skype and a computer with high speed as well-Some of my clients would not have the option-It works both ways then? I can record them direct to Protools? What kind of quality can I expect?

Brent

Stacey Byrne · **Voice Talent** Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 13

Hi there.

I too have been interested in setting up a phone patch and I found out two things:
1) You can use Skype to do live recordings - actually it's free for calls placed in the US although I believe that's for a limited time - I used it for a podcast I do but I have to say that the connection is sometimes very poor - I had to call the person I was interviewing three times in order to get a clear connection which was a little awkward - I blamed it on "new software" that my "it" guy put in (that would be - like my accounting team, my printing service, my web designer etc....- ah - that would be me for now). Although as you stated if the client just has to listen in the connection doesn't matter as it's only how they sound to you on your end you will still sound fine through your mic - I did.

2) As far as phone patches go - One professional I know uses a piece of equipment that only costs about 250 dollars despite the fact that he has a mic that costs him 6k new - and basically (I think) sets up easily with your phone and computer - but I haven't tried it - not sure how phone patches tie into ISDN but am planning on finding out on this site if it's worth setting up at home or if it's better to just pay for studio time when a client requires it.

Ciao for now! Stacey

Blake Williams · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006, 02:00 (GMT) Post subject: About Skype

When you subscribe to skype (remember me mentioning the $12.60?) you may call ANYONE with a regular phone in the United States. The person you're working with does NOT need to have skype.

Blake Williams
VBW Productions, Inc.
Moriarty, NM 87035
amfmrx@lobo.net
[/u]

Brent Halfyard · **Voice Talent** Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 6

I'm in Canada and most of my clients are also-Does it work up here?

Freddie Molina · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006, 02:36 (GMT) Post subject:

Hello,
A phone patch or in other words a device used to couple audio to and from the telephone line to the recording equipment.
This device creates a direct clean audio signal from any telephone hand or headset to capture 2 way voice conversations on the phone. Can be used to capture a clean signal ready to record by your computer or other audio device.
The success of this device is based on the capability of allowing the talent to record and at the same time receive directions, as it was mentioned in this chat it can be replaced by recording on your own set up meanwhile having the client on the line (just an idea).

The quality of a good Phone Patch can not be replaced using online calling services like Skype but it can do the trick.

Regarding products, it is difficult to recommend one; there are plenty of them on the market shop around and look for one that is appropriate for your needs.

Blake Williams · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006, 02:38 (GMT) Post subject: Canada Skype

Howdy Brent,

First off, if I could pull it off I'd be living in Canada as well. Just too darned established here in New Mexico with far too many critters to move with.

Second: I don't know BUT I would imagine skype does work in Canada. Please have a look at the web site as I'm sure all of your questions can be answered there.

www.skype.com

All the best!

Blake Williams
VBW Productions, Inc.
Moriarty, NM 87035
amfmrx@lobo.net

Lee Patterson · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006, 02:45 (GMT) Post subject: Skype Canada

I can confirm that Skype works for free here in Canada and you can call anyone for free from your PC to any landline in Canada and I think the U.S. for free. This promo is expected to end January 1st 07.
Good Luck

Chip Hinshaw · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 65

If you want ISDN but don't have the cash for the hardware codec, here's an encouraging alternative.

http://www.audiotx.com/

Still in the $1000-$1200 range, but that's a lot easier for some folks to swallow than a hard $5K.

But if you've got money to burn ...

http://www.telos-systems.com/?/zephyr/default.htm

... have at it.

Good luck.

Louis Tristan · **Voice Talent** Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 266

I used skype before and it wasn't free until one purchases "free skype minutes". Plus the minutes you buy expire if you don't use them all within a certain time. There is no rollover...

Buy this and make all the free call you want:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/ip-telephony/?p=809

http://www.macworld.com/2006/07/reviews/voip/index.php

It's not "free" if you have to pay for it. They get you inn with the "free" but have your credit card ready. Operators are standing by.

Get free ring tones now! Rolling Eyes

John Moore · **Voice Talent** Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 16

I just ordered a piece of gear called the "PI9 phone patch" made by Rolls.
$45.95 from Amazon/8th street music.
Looks like it will do the job, I'll let you all know how it works out when it arrives.
I use Skype for all kinds of things, but wouldn't want to rely on it when trying to impress a client with my skills and the capabilities of my studio.

Great backup though if you are in a pinch or if the client is Skype-savvy and knows the limitations.

John

Nikki Saco · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 465

I use JK Audio Telephone Audio Interface. It's an inline patch and costs $239 (at BSW - http://www.bswusa.com/proditem.asp?item=INLINEPATCH). The phone patch is different from ISDN.

ISDN allows you to connect your mic through stable broadband (the ISDN) to recording equipment at a remote studio location anywhere in the world that can receive it. It's just so pricey and not worth it at least for me. I can record onsite. If a client prefers to record and mix at their end, that happens once in a blue moon and for that I can go a mile down the road to a studio with ISDN. You may prefer that option and that will save a lot of bucks.

The phone patch seems to be used most for live direction. You're still recording at your end. The patch simply feeds your live mic voice and any recorded audio you want through an interface (the patch) and directly into your phone line. You can also receive into your computer the voice at the other end of the phone line. It's what radio stations use for phone interviews.

Basically you could put a phone up to your mouth while you record and get the same result in terms of allowing for live direction so I'm definitely missing something if Skype is worth it. I looked at that too and because you have to pay up front and the minutes expire, you could be spending money for something you'll never use.

I frankly haven't had to use my phone patch for live direction. But I definitely use it to deliver pre-recorded audio directly into the phone line. Some clients don't have a way to patch into their voice mail. So I'm sure you've all gotten jobs in which a client wants you to dial their voicemail for a live recording. That's OK, but you can't effectively add music, mix or master your voice over. That's OK for shorter prompts but for longer on-holds, a music bed just sounds more professional.

Anyway, that's what a phone patch will do for you and the JK Audio is a good one, very easy to use. They have an online manual (http://www.jkaudio.com/assets/pdf/inline_patch_manual.pdf) that shows you how to connect it inline (between your jack and your none PBX phone - PBX installs slightly diffently). Simple.

Louis Tristan · **Voice Talent** Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 266

Sweet!

Stacey Byrne · **Voice Talent** Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 13

Nikki and Freddie - great information - thanks so much. Nikki your words were so succinct too. You probably write some of your own copy like I do albeit unexpectedly sometimes ?

I have a client currently that requires ISDN and am looking for a studio close to where I live (Redondo Beach) as opposed to having to drive to Studio City although I don't mind because they do a fantastic job and are reliable and nice.

Although, when I did a search, some sites claimed that like DSL, one could order for a monthly fee which was around 80 per month - I wasn't sure if it also replaced the DSL in which case it migiht be worth it when one requires it but I think your advice Nikki was where my gut was leaning.

Anyways - great information - and I believe JK Audio was the same product my friend used - I remember it started with 'J' - and was around the same price.

Stacey Very Happy