Recording cellphone messages into computer?

  • Thread starter Thread starter danhughes
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danhughes

Podcaster
I want a patch cord that will connect my cellphone to my computer's line-in or mic-in jack, so that I can play messages that have been left on my cellphone directly into Audacity as an audio file, so I can save it on my computer to use in a future podcast.

The jack in my cellphone accepts a mike/speaker combination, so the patch cord would have to connect only to the cellphone leads that carry audio out, not audio in.

Does that make sense? Are there such cords available?
 
I want a patch cord that will connect my cellphone to my computer's line-in or mic-in jack, so that I can play messages that have been left on my cellphone directly into Audacity as an audio file, so I can save it on my computer to use in a future podcast.

The jack in my cellphone accepts a mike/speaker combination, so the patch cord would have to connect only to the cellphone leads that carry audio out, not audio in.

Does that make sense? Are there such cords available?

Most cell phones I've seen use a stereo submini connector which is smaller than an 1/8" mini connector. Either tip is mic input and ring is headphone output or vice-versa, I forget which. I have one hacked together made out of an old headset that went bad. You can buy them from B&H, probably a few other places.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/530113-REG/Plus_772_70_6000_Stereo_Sub_Mini_2_5mm_Male.html

This assumes, of course, that yours uses a submini connector.
 
You may want to check your local jurisdiction's laws about recording phone calls and/or messages without the caller's consent. It might be illegal.
 
You may want to check your local jurisdiction's laws about recording phone calls and/or messages without the caller's consent. It might be illegal.

This will be a special line for incoming calls meant to be aired on a podcast, and all callers will know that.

Just like calling a radio station's request line and knowing you might be on the air.
 
Dan,

You may need to get a little bit more sophisticated. This device is specifically used for capturing cell phone... and land line... calls.

Trouble is it's not quite as cheap as a patch cord. Click on the image (just showing off).

 
I'd love to have one of those, but at least in the beginning I have to stay cheap.

My listeners will be more interested in content than quality, and as long as what I'm producing is intelligible, I've hit my main goal for now.
 
The difference in sound is going to be negligible anyway as long as you're using a device that has a proper headphone output, e.g. a cordless phone or cell phone with a headphone jack. It's not like you're really abusing things by doing that. Now if you're trying to couple to an actual phone line, yeah, get something with an optocoupler in it. The DC voltages on a phone line will flat fry things when the phone rings....
 
There is a service that a friend of mine uses, phonetag.com. It converts your voicemail into text and then emails you with the original voice mail attached as an audio file. Cost is $10/month for 40 messages or $30/mo unlimited. This would perclude the cable and playing back/converting process and allow you to directly edit the audio file.
 
Thanks - I'll file that for future reference - but for now I don't want to pay any recurring fees.
 
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