Recording an interview from a phone?

[Brian Reynolds]

Various options, use a telephone hybrid interface (But chances are that you dont have one) or how about use a mobile phone with an earpiece, cut the earpiece off bare the cable back, clip onto the 2 wires… it should be about line level and a low impedance that should go into a mixer. I’ve done it before… (charge the client for a new earpiece!)
Note this is not the “perfect” way but should get you out of trouble

The difference between Knowledge and Wisdom is… Knowledge is the knowing of facts…. Wisdom is the sensible application of good quality knowledge…

[Joel Servetz]

If you have the time and budget to buy one, the hybrid interface mentioned by Brian is certainly the best way to go, and there are several available at different price points from Markertek.com and other vendors. If you can find one, Marantz made the PMD series of cassette recorders that had a built-in telephone recording interface that worked perfectly (I still have one).

Joel Servetz
RGB Media Services, LLC
Sarasota, Fl
videobyjoel@aol.com

[Blake Porter]

Don’t have the hybrid interface… This guy want’s me to just figure something out. He’s calling tomorrow afternoon.
It might be shotgun and speaker phone…

[Mark Barroso]

If this is for broadcast or a film, the shotgun method is going to suck. You will be recording the sound of everything in the room that your in, and the person talking on the phone will be at a different level than the person standing next to you. Get a cheap phone interface from Radio Shack and record that to a separate track and/or device and they can adjust the levels in post, and put a lav on the person next to you. It won’t be the best sound either, but at least it will be clean.

FCP 6.0.5 /
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External: FW800 G-tech 500 HD and G-Tech Quad 750GB
playback deck: Pan dv2500

[Blake Porter]

Thanks for the good advice!
This is for an internet TV show https://www.growingdeer.tv
And we are guerilla style at best sometimes
I’m going speaker phone, surrounded in acoustic foam, with my Sony ECM672 pointed right in.
The tests are reasonably clear. The biggest problem is the breathing noise from guy talking on phone. Mostly from the nose I think…
Wonder how to tone that down?

[Jordan Wolf]

“The biggest problem is the breathing noise from guy talking on phone. Mostly from the nose I think…
Wonder how to tone that down?”

Well, if you can correct it at the source, that is always best. Are you able to talk to the guest speaker before you record the interview or does it have to happen live? If you can get him to hold the phone down towards his chin more, that might help.

If you want to deal with it in post, try a generous cut around 180Hz-300Hz. Adjust to taste.

Wolf
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[Blake Porter]

Yes, I can coach him all through the interview.
So, you think low huh? Sorta like a lav placement but not as far away?
Sounds like a plan!

[Alan Lloyd]

Can you not rent a hybrid for the day from a local vendor?

[Bob Kessler]

For future reference:

JK Audio PS009 – $25

Rolls PI9 – $40

JK Audio QUICKTAP – $55

You can, of course, spend LOTS more; but these will do on a pinch.

[Blake Porter]

OK, thanks Bob,
I got it done today. It came out fairly clear. Not as good as it could have been I’m sure.