Record Skype Using Hardware – Mixer Mix Minus

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Record Skype Using Hardware – Mixer Mix Minus

A Mix Minus is one of the best sounding and I think the easiest way to record Skype, Most software available cuts the guest off when the host starts talking, this can make for a bad mix within the recording, especially if you argue a lot with your co host.  I’ve listened to a lot of podcasts and believe me its bad.
Setting up a mix minus is fairly easy, I’m going to start with what you will need to start off with

1. 1: Computer able to run Skype and record using the mic and line-in
2. Opt; External Recorder such as the Edirol R-09HR WAVE/MP3 Recorder.
3. Opr; Griffin iMic 2 USB Sound Card.
4. 1: Mixer with at least 1 AUX Send
5. XLR Microphone W/ XLR to XLR Cable
6. 2: Phone(has two mono 1/4 cables at one end) to 3.5mm Cables
7. 1: 1/4 to 3.5mm Cable

Take a look at this image below of the mixer I own a Yamaha MG102C Stereo Mixer (10 Inputs) and you will see the highlighted parts you will want to plug into on the mixer.

First take your Phones to 3.5mm cable and connect the 3.5mm end the speaker output and connect the Phone end to Line of Mic 5/6 (This could be any line input, To find out what inputs you can use by reading the manual that came with your mixer)

 
 
 
 
 
 
Turn the AUX nob up for the Mic channel you choose for your XLR Microphone (half should suffice, Skype will adjust the volume as needed )

If you want to record multi track you can by using the Pan nob to do this. (have you on the right and the guest on the left) This makes it a lot easier to edit out a cough, dog barking, or a plane flying over head (all of which I have problems with, mainly air planes. I think they know when I’m going to record a podcast and do it to piss me off).

Next take the other Phone to 3.5mm cable and connect the 3.5mm end to the Mic port of your computer, or if you are using an external recorder such as a Edirol R-09HR WAVE/MP3 Recorder, Plug the 3.5mm end into it. Then connect the Phone ends to the stereo out (also called speaker out) on your mixer

Once done with that all you have next is one more cable Connect the 3.5mm end to the Line-in port on your soundcard and connect the 1/4 to the AUX port on your mixer.
If you dont have a line-in jack on your computer, than you must be using a laptop, If you are you will need to purchase a USB Sound card. I recommend buying a Griffin iMic 2 USB Sound Card. they are the most reliable and the smallest USB sound card out their.

Configuring Skype to use the mix minus settings is fairly easy.
To configure your Skype settings goto “Tools > Options” and select “Audio settings” from the left side bar.

Set the Microphone to your USB or Internal sound cards Line-in jack (If using USB you should select the USB Mic).
Skype should have already selected your speakers, If not select it, and Uncheck “Automatically adjust speaker settings”.

Now test the setup by opening your Recording software and hit record. Next call the Skype test call lady @ echo123
If the recording can record both you and the Skype lady than your all set to record Skype.
Have fun and happy Podcasting.

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