You may need to retain a record, review the call later, turn the audio into a transcript, or have separate tracks for a podcast.
For over 15 years, my main incoming work number and the one I use to place nearly all my calls is virtually wired into Skype. I pay a modest fee for unlimited incoming calls to a fixed number and unlimited outgoing calls to the U.S. and Canada. However, my adherence to VoIP (voice over IP) apps makes it a bit of a struggle when I need to record a call. Why record a VoIP call? You might need to when you’re interviewing someone, for record-keeping purposes in a job, to create a transcript later, or if you’re making a podcast. Your profession might oblige you to keep records of all calls, even. (Always consult the legal requirements for notification of another party before recording. Rules vary by state in the U.S. and by country.) Teleconferencing apps, like Zoom, almost always include recording options. Zoom offers local recording even to people hosting meetings using the company’s free tier. Zoom even has an option to split audio into one file per participant, useful for mixing and editing podcasts or other conversations intended for others to listen to. Other apps don’t provide this kind of simplicity or built-in functionality. QuickTime’s screen recording feature is an awkward but feasible way to record a VoIP session, but it’s tweaky to set up. The CallRecorder app used to be an option for Skype, but it doesn’t work with M1 Macs and its maker says they will never update it for Apple silicon. Further, Microsoft’s changes to Skype require regularly reinstalling CallRecorder with every Skype minor update —if you forget or miss a dialog, you might be already in a call when you realize you can’t record. The best way to record VoIP calls is via Rogue Amoeba’s Audio Hijack ($59).
