Recording Phone Interviews And Taking Live Calls During Podcast Shows

by Cliff Ravenscraft on October 30, 2008

IMPORTANT: Click Here To See My Latest Studio Redesign

Please watch this video first and then see the information below the video:

When I do telephone interviews for my podcast, I use the JK Audio Broadcast Host to get from my phone line into my mixer. This device allows me to take a single analog telephone line and patch the audio to and from that phone line to my mixer. Basically turning my mixer into the “handset” of the phone. I’m very happy with this solution.

I actually shared how I use this device in my Inside The Studio: Equipment Setup & Podcast Workflow Video Tutorial Series. I am happy to provide the portion of this video tutorial series shows how I hook up the JK Audio Broadcast Host below.

Inside The Studio Tutorial Part 3 of 7
(Note: Audio Quality Is MUCH Higher In Downloadable Version)

I hope the above video gives you an idea of the level of quality put into this video tutorial series. If you like what you see above and would like to see the rest of the tutorial series that includes ALL OF MY EQUIPMENT and my complete, step by step, podcast workflow, Please CLICK HERE FOR THE TUTORIAL PAGE.

Recently, I received a question from a client who wanted to know if he could use the Broadcast Host to hook up to his ISDN line. The answer is “no” because it is not an analog phone system. I called JK Audio and asked them what they have for this and they told me about the JK Audio InKeeper PBX.

It turns out that the InKeeper PBX is “exactly the same” as the Broadcast Host except that the connection to the phone line happens at the point of the “handset connection” of a standard telephone. This means that the phone is doing the translation from digital to analog signal and the InKeeper PBX plugs in where you would normally plug in the handset and the handset plugs into the InKeeper PBX. (See Diagram Below) (Note: this does not work with phones where the “dial pad” is in the handset).

Now, what is awesome about this is that with the handset being the point of connection, this means you could have a “multi-line” phone system, hence the name PBX, where you can switch back and forth between multiple phone lines, just like you would do if you were simply using the phone’s handset switching to another line. This is going to fill the need of many of my clients who want to be able to use multiple phone lines to allow for a queue of callers waiting. This also allows for someone on another extension to “pre-screen” those calls as well.

Here’s the diagram of how you could set this up: (However, I would recommend using the Compressor/Limiter/Gate as demonstrated in the embedded video above).

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Do you happen to have a diagram to hook up a Behringer UB 1202 Mixer to a JK Audio Inline Patch ?
They basically do the same things that the Broadcast Host does only a bit more affordable for the beginning podcaster trying to do live shows as well as pre recorded.
I just purchased a MXL V63M Condenser mic and a heil mic boom extension arm for the desktop.
Now that I have everything, I just need to know which XLR cables to get and where the heck they go ?

LOL
if you dont have a diagram could you push me towards a link to somewhere that might ?

Actually, the inline patch is less expensive because it doesn't do the same the that the Broadcast Host does. The inline patch will do a db separation of the caller's audio from your own, but your own voice would come back from the phone line if you are hoping to record the conversation on your end.

If you are simply trying to send audio out to the telephone and don't care about recording on your end, the Inline patch is great.

If you are wanting to send your audio to the telephone, but record your own voice locally, as well as recording the voice of the person on the phone, locally, then you would want a Broadcast Host which would digitally separate the caller's audio from your own, so that only the caller's voice is coming in from the phone line.

I dont' have a diagram for the inline patch. However, the folks at JK Audio support are AMAZING! Try giving them a call at 800-552-8346 or email them at info@jkaudio.com.

I hope this helps
Cliff

Love the help and tips you provide here...however I have a quick question and was wonderin would this alternative (and much cheaper) unit work well with a behringer eurorack UB1202 ?

The unit is a JK Audio Inline Patch Telephone Interface.

And this descriptive was taken directly from the listing.

"This unique hybrid works with your telephone to give you more control over interview recording and playback.

The Inline Patch is a little box that connects between the base of an analog or cordless telephone and the wall jack. You can continue to talk on the phone and get access to audio on both sides of the call. The unit’s two back-to-back hybrids give you complete control of audio from both sides of the call. Audio input jacks let you mix sound bytes or music into your conversation. One stereo output jack provides your voice on one channel and the caller's voice on the other channel. A second output jack contains a mix of both voices. Front panel control for each output offers all the control you will need. The Inline Patch does not disrupt your Caller ID or ring signals.

For telecom demo or teleconference presentations, you can use a cordless telephone. Walk around the room and talk over the phone while everyone listens in. Let the audience try your IVR application.

Use the Inline Patch to record great interviews directly to your sound card. Then you can upload the files to your podcast.

For Radio Stations, the Inline Patch can be used as a simple phone-line hybrid coupler. The Off Hook/Norm switch lets you seize a phone line without using a telephone. This switch can be remote-controlled with a simple contact closure.

The Inline Patch is also perfect for television or cable talk show use, when you may need access to audio from a working telephone on camera."

Inline patch would cause your audio to be fedback to you through the recording. Your voice would be lower than the caller, but would be audible. It's not mean for the type of recording that we do with podcasting. You can call JK Audio support and confirm this. It's how I learned about it.

Just so I understand, will one of these work with something such as a Magic Jack if I use a regular high grade desk phone?

If an regular old phone off the shelf of walmart will plug in and work with your magic jack device, then yes, the JK Audio Broadcast Host will work with the Magic Jack. Though, since I've never used Magic Jack myself, I would tell you that a quick email to support@jkaudio.com would take away any anxiety you have about whether or not it will work. ;)

Hi Cliff -

I just wanted to report back on my experience with my new (used) Jk Audio Broadcast Host. It had a hum so the Ebay seller went above & beyond and overnighted me a new, 9V regulated power supply (which by the way is a MUST with these). Now the hum is gone and there is a big difference between the JK Audio Inline Patch that I had vs. the Broadcast Host. Much less impact on my audio quality from the phone line bleedthru. Thanks again for recommending it!

Scott

I'm so glad that you at a place where you are finding the benefits of the JK Audio Broadcast Host. Thanks for leaving the feedback here!

I'm more interested in the Innkeeper 1x versus the Broadcast Host. Does a higher price automatically make the Innkeeper better? Or worser ;-)

I think I can skip the mixer with the 1x. Which makes the cost about even.

Can I record to anything besides an Edirol? Like a laptop?

Thanks for the great info you always, always dish out!

Mike, the 1x looks very nice, though I don't have any experience with it to be able to answer your questions about how it compares. Yes, you can record into a laptop. Though I would caution you to listen to this episode of my podcast.... http://podcastanswerman.com/181-podcast-answer-man...

I agree with you Cliff. I've decided to record into an Edirol after having watched and listened to several of your shows and a having watched your teaser video.

I'll get the Edirol from you and the training for it that you did as well ;-)

Thanks for the great info you give us!

Sweet! Thanks Mike. I just sent you a personal note via email.

Thank you so much for putting this content on line. You do not know how long I tried to find a place where I could learn about podcasts. I have started one a few months ago and I have been knocking my head against rocks just trying to get things right. Again thanks!
~ Abner

Abner, So glad you found the site. I look forward to possibly getting a question for an upcoming episode. ;)

I just gave you a call. I was able to get my school district (I am a teacher) to pay for a few of your videos and maybe even for Audition. I just wanted to make sure I could get a reciept from you that I could turn into them so that they know its legitimate. Thanks!

Abner, thank you so much for your purchase! If there is anything I can do for you in the future, please do let me know.

Yep, there's a lot of good info there. I hate that he shows the Inline Patch as it does not have the Hybrid to separate the studio audio from the caller audio. Both studio audio and caller audio would be on the same line with this unit with only slight db gain difference between the two. That device should only be used if you want to take your studio audio and send it out to a conference call or to the caller. It should not be used if you want to bring the conference call or caller back into the mixer to be recorded.

Doing a lot of research on options and keep on coming back to your suggestion. Here is a great website (content not looks) with a complete breakdown and explanation on almost all option out there and some good advice. http://www.audiotheater.com/phone/phone.html

Kephren,

Yes, you can hook a microphone directly up to the broadcast host and it will send that audio down the line to them.

If you would like to set up a free 15 minute equipment consultation, please click this link to see my available schedule and to book a time for us to talk further.

http://PodcastAnswerMan.com/schedule

Note: the program will make you choose at least a 30 minute block of time. Just go ahead and choose a 30 minute spot that works for you.

Kephren,

Yes, you can hook a microphone directly up to the broadcast host and it will send that audio down the line to them.

If you would like to set up a free 15 minute equipment consultation, please click this link to see my available schedule and to book a time for us to talk further.

http://PodcastAnswerMan.com/schedule

Note: the program will make you choose at least a 30 minute block of time. Just go ahead and choose a 30 minute spot that works for you.

Hello cliff,

We would like to use this kind of system for our conferencing room.
We would like to be able to send participant's voice from our room through the phone line. We're planning to have microphone connected to a mixer, and then routing their voice through the phone line.
In the meantime, we would like to hear the caller's voice in our room (with speakers) like if he was on the phone speaker.
Could this JK audio do the trick ? Everyone seems to get sound from the caller but there are not more information about sending audio over the phone.

Thanks !

Hello cliff,

We would like to use this kind of system for our conferencing room.
We would like to be able to send participant's voice from our room through the phone line. We're planning to have microphone connected to a mixer, and then routing their voice through the phone line.
In the meantime, we would like to hear the caller's voice in our room (with speakers) like if he was on the phone speaker.
Could this JK audio do the trick ? Everyone seems to get sound from the caller but there are not more information about sending audio over the phone.

Thanks !

Brad,

I chose the Broadcast Host based upon price. I purchased this gear when I was still podcasting as a hobby and had very little money set aside in the budget for audio gear.

Today, I do sell the Telos One as well. However, to this day, when I talk to my clients about the features and the price, everyone has chosen to go with the JK Audio equipment.

Cliff

Brad,

I chose the Broadcast Host based upon price. I purchased this gear when I was still podcasting as a hobby and had very little money set aside in the budget for audio gear.

Today, I do sell the Telos One as well. However, to this day, when I talk to my clients about the features and the price, everyone has chosen to go with the JK Audio equipment.

Cliff

Cliff,
Why did you decide on the JK Audio Broadcast Host and not the Telos One? The Telos One is about US$100 - US$150 more but it has the digital processing that the Broadcast Host doesn't. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

-Brad

Cliff,
Why did you decide on the JK Audio Broadcast Host and not the Telos One? The Telos One is about US$100 - US$150 more but it has the digital processing that the Broadcast Host doesn't. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

-Brad

I want to build a simple recording studio in my home for non-profit based talk show I will be hosting. I have ordered large diaphram condensor microphones (2), Pro Tools M-Powered software and M-Audio Track Pro Audio Interface. An important part of the show will be pre-arranged phone interviews. I was looking to purchase the JK Audio Broadcast Host for this purchase, unless you can recommend an alternate (cost effective) application. A diagram to connect these applications would be appreciated. Thank you.

I want to build a simple recording studio in my home for non-profit based talk show I will be hosting. I have ordered large diaphram condensor microphones (2), Pro Tools M-Powered software and M-Audio Track Pro Audio Interface. An important part of the show will be pre-arranged phone interviews. I was looking to purchase the JK Audio Broadcast Host for this purchase, unless you can recommend an alternate (cost effective) application. A diagram to connect these applications would be appreciated. Thank you.

Inline patch is great for sending audio out to the phone but it does not do the "digital hybrid" separation of your audio from that of the caller. So when you bring the caller into the mixer, you're also going to get a portion of your own voice back in on that line.

Cliff

Cliff, I can't thank you enough for posting this information. I wonder if my situation still applies to this diagram - I have the Inline Patch from JK Audio and a Eurorack UB802 mixer. I use Sony Sound Forge software to record audio. I host an internet radio show and we'd like to use the inline patch to record phone interviews as well as allow artists to appear on the show "live". Can I use the same setup you've shown for the Inline Patch?

Thank you!!

Inline patch is great for sending audio out to the phone but it does not do the "digital hybrid" separation of your audio from that of the caller. So when you bring the caller into the mixer, you're also going to get a portion of your own voice back in on that line.

Cliff

Cliff, I can't thank you enough for posting this information. I wonder if my situation still applies to this diagram - I have the Inline Patch from JK Audio and a Eurorack UB802 mixer. I use Sony Sound Forge software to record audio. I host an internet radio show and we'd like to use the inline patch to record phone interviews as well as allow artists to appear on the show "live". Can I use the same setup you've shown for the Inline Patch?

Thank you!!

I have an audio setup that includes a MacBook Pro, Mackie Onyx 1220 w/firewire, mics, etc. all recording through GarageBand. So far everything is good. My question comes with Skype calls coming in and recording. I have been successful with the actual recordings, but my guests can not hear any additional audio, bumpers, intros, music, etc. They can here my conversation with them, but nothing else. Any suggestions on how to fix this. My mic is on Channel 1, secondary host in studio on Channel 2, audio and skype from laptop on Channel 11&12. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the info you have out here.

I have an audio setup that includes a MacBook Pro, Mackie Onyx 1220 w/firewire, mics, etc. all recording through GarageBand. So far everything is good. My question comes with Skype calls coming in and recording. I have been successful with the actual recordings, but my guests can not hear any additional audio, bumpers, intros, music, etc. They can here my conversation with them, but nothing else. Any suggestions on how to fix this. My mic is on Channel 1, secondary host in studio on Channel 2, audio and skype from laptop on Channel 11&12. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the info you have out here.

Great stuff! I have a background in radio. We are planning to set up an onlinetalk show webcast station. The InKeeper looks to be just what we need to make our setup work. We will order the unit through your link.

Thanks for the great info.

JB

Great stuff! I have a background in radio. We are planning to set up an onlinetalk show webcast station. The InKeeper looks to be just what we need to make our setup work. We will order the unit through your link.

Thanks for the great info.

JB

Thanks. I have heard of Talkshoe. Need to try it.

Have you considered a Plus Membership? http://gspn.tv/plus

If you want to use a cell phone and record the conversation, I'd suggest using a free audio conference bridge. Something like TalkShoe.

Basically, you dial into the number. You have the other person dial into the number, you press the commands to start recording and their software records the audio of the call.

Don't want to make your interviewee call in? If you have three way calling, you can call the conference bridge, have it start recording. Put that call on hold, dial the person you'll be talking to and then conference those calls using three way calling.

Hope this helps!

Any suggestions for using a cell phone to record as opposed to a landline? I want to record calls either from the cell phone ... is that possible? Thanks.

Yes you do... Thanks for purchasing your equipment through me Lisa!!!!

Cliff

Cliff, thanks for taking the time to share and completely diagram this for dummies like me. I need to study it more, but I think, thanks to YOU, I have the technology to pull this off. Thanks! Lisa

Thanks. I have heard of Talkshoe. Need to try it.

Have you considered a Plus Membership? http://gspn.tv/plus

If you want to use a cell phone and record the conversation, I'd suggest using a free audio conference bridge. Something like TalkShoe.

Basically, you dial into the number. You have the other person dial into the number, you press the commands to start recording and their software records the audio of the call.

Don't want to make your interviewee call in? If you have three way calling, you can call the conference bridge, have it start recording. Put that call on hold, dial the person you'll be talking to and then conference those calls using three way calling.

Hope this helps!

Any suggestions for using a cell phone to record as opposed to a landline? I want to record calls either from the cell phone ... is that possible? Thanks.

Yes you do... Thanks for purchasing your equipment through me Lisa!!!!

Cliff

Cliff, thanks for taking the time to share and completely diagram this for dummies like me. I need to study it more, but I think, thanks to YOU, I have the technology to pull this off. Thanks! Lisa

Trackbacks

  1. [...] In this episode, cliff shares four different options for bringing in telephone calls into your podcast. If you are interested in the JK Audio Broadcast Host option mentioned, click here for more information on this piece of equipment. [...]

  2. [...] In this episode, Cliff shares four different options for bringing in telephone calls into your podcast. If you are interested in the JK Audio Broadcast Host option mentioned, click here for more information on this piece of equipment. [...]

  3. [...] for their live shows. The simply dial into the live conference call set up by TalkShoe using their JK Audio Broadcast Host to send all the audio from their microphones and mixer board to those on the live [...]

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