Recording software issues

[PreyingMantis0]

When I come across a conversation I want to share, I want to record the audio to disk (either to upload to a streaming site or share the file). Since there could be silence gaps, I'd like to have VOX-like recording capability to keep the file small as possible.

I hooked up a stereo cable (1/8") to the headphone jack and the other end to the microphone jack on the computer. Using the built in Sound Recorder in Windows, I'm able to save the audio to a WAV file (no VOX capability) and the audio quality matches that of the scanner.

I found the Recording Tips and Utilities page on the wiki (http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Recording_Software_and_Tips), downloaded and installed Sound Recorder & RecAll. I configured the utilities per the page/help and proceeded to record the scanner feed. I got VOX from them compared to the Windows Sound Recorder, but the audio is very scratchy with lots of pops, etc. I spent about an hour tweaking and tuning the utilities and there wasn't much improvement.

Has anyone been able to this successfully? Any tips to share?

I am not able to hear the scanner output on the computer speakers/headphones (to know when to start/stop recording), but I didn't get a chance to troubleshoot that yet (got pulled away on some other 'more important' chores by the better half).

P.S. - this is on Windows Vista but I don't think that should be an issue.

 

[TheManBornWithin]

I'm using Windows Vista also and so far I haven't had any problems. Does your computer have a line in jack? Its usually blue. I would try using that jack and see if it makes any difference. I've heard that using an attenuating cable makes a difference, but I haven't tried one myself.

 

[PreyingMantis0]

the one I have at home now does. i'll have to check the one at work and try that. i also looked up RecAll faq and found some tips that I can try (for piping line in to speakers).

 

[PreyingMantis0]

Both computers have Line In, but RecAll doesn't work on Vista (at least that's what their support faq says, and that they will support Vista in their next beta). Sound Recorder (not the Windows version) isn't supported by the author any more and probably has the same issues on Vista.

I'll keep looking. Or just look for a tool that strips out the silent space.

 

[TheManBornWithin]

Hi, I forgot to mention that I'm using Scanner Recorder (http://www.davee.com/scanrec/index.html) on Vista, which works well. You may want to give that a shot.

Chris

 

[PreyingMantis0]

I have Scanner Recorder that you are refering to, but it's quality is poor. Can you share how you've set it up?
- Line In or Mic?
- Vista settings?
- Scanner Recorder settings?

 

[matthewtomek]

I use software called Total Recorder. It is recording off the "line-in" and its voice activated. It works great. The software cost me like $40, but it was worth it to me.

 

[eagle_i_photos]

If you have a newer Uniden scanner bctool might help. I'm new at this scanner stuff, but both audio (in .mpg) and frequency data recording work GREAT and was pretty easy to setup ... once you know how to control your computer's "line in" settings for recording.

http://www.bctool.org/index.php?s=screenshots

 

[orbital]

If you have a USB cable that works with your Scanner you can use AVC246T ( Free )

http://www.scannerbase.com/scannerbase-avc246-uniden-bc246t-scanner-software/

If you don't have a USB cable you can use the setup your currently using
and use Audacity ( It's free )

Audacity is a free, easy-to-use audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. You can use Audacity to:

* Record live audio.
* Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs.
* Edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, and WAV sound files.
* Cut, copy, splice, and mix sounds together.
* Change the speed or pitch of a recording.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/