Make sure “Speakers” is set to your headphones or headset Make sure “Microphone” is set to your external mic or headset You can use an iPhone headset, but it won’t sound as good as an external mic or a boom headset.Īt the top of the screen, click “Skype” > “Preferences” > “Audio/Video” Avoid using your laptop’s internal microphone. If you’re using a separate external mic, use a stand or a stack of books to get it up near your mouth.

It should be a couple of inches away from your mouth, either just to the side of it, or just below it. Microphone: If you’re using a headset with a boom mic, place it near your mouth, but aligned such that you’re not breathing on it. Ask your interviewee to do the same if possible. Headphones: Wear headphones or a headset to prevent your interviewee’s voice from picking up on your microphone. For this reason it’s also ideal to turn off the video component of Skype for the duration of the interview (it can be on when you initially connect and say hi though). A web browser is fine, but downloading a movie or performing an online backup could cause problems. It’s a good idea to ask your interviewee to find a quiet spot beforehand too.Ĭonserve bandwidth: To avoid audio hiccups, close any non-essential bandwidth-using applications.

Turn off cellphones, close windows, unplug the fridge, take off jingly jewelry etc…. Find a quiet, non-echoey space to do your recording. Setupįind a quiet space: Less background noise = better sounding audio. If you’re calling a phone, try to get your interviewee on a land-line, and don’t use a speakerphone. Note: The process is the same whether your interviewee is also on Skype, or if you’re calling their phone via SkypeOut (you’ll need Skype credits for this though). Most of the instructions are the same for Windows users too – but they should try MP3 Skype Recorder ($0) or Total Recorder ($18) to make their recordings. This tutorial will show you how to get the best sound possible from this cheap and easy setup. Skype ($0) and Piezo ($15) are a powerful combination for recording high-quality interviews on a Mac.

How to record skype video call