How To Record Skype Calls Using Nicecast

Using Skype and would like to record your calls to publish in a podcast? Here’s how you can record straight from Skype to MP3.

This tutorial uses Skype on Mac OS X and Nicecast ($40). You will also need to install Unsanity’s Application Enhancer haxie.

Setting Up

1. Download and install Nicecast (4.4 MB).
2. Plug your headset into a USB slot.
3. Open Mac OS X ‘System Preferences’ > ‘Sound’.
4. Select the headset to be used for sound output and input.
5. Open Skype ‘Preferences’ and set the headset for output and input.
6. Open Nicecast > ‘Broadcast’ and then click on ‘Source’.
7. Select ‘Audio Device’ from the 1st dropdown menu.
8. Click the ‘Select’ dropdown menu and select your Skype headset.
9. From the menu, select ‘Window’ > ‘Show Archiving’.
10. First select the destination folder where you want to save your MP3 files to (under the ‘Archive Folder’ header), then click ‘Archive’.
11. From the ‘broadcast’ window, click on ‘Effects’.
12. Then insert the ‘Application Mixer’ by clicking on one of the squares.
13. Select the ‘Application Mixer’ option from the ‘4FX Effect’ menu, then set Skype as the application.
14. Leave ‘Crossfade’ at it’s default value.
15. Check the ‘Monitor Output’ option, then click ‘Hijack’.

That’s all the background work done. Now to use it.

Recording

1. Go to Skype and start a voice conversation with whoever.
2. To record it, go to Nicecast and click ‘Start Broadcast’.
3. When you’ve finished your chat, click ‘Stop Broadcast’.
4. Nicecast will save your MP3 recording to the directory you set earlier.

You can now add the recording to your iTunes library or tweak it with another app.