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10 Feb 11 - 05:25 PM (#3092753) Subject: Tech: transfer voice mail to mp3 files - how? From: Genie Is there a way to copy digital voice mail messages to audio files that can be saved on a computer or burned to a CD? I tried the little gadget with a suction cup on one end and a plug on the other that can be fed to a cassette recorder or computer audio input, but it didn't work. It didn't pick up the audio from the voice mails. The voice mail I have is via my phone carrier, so it's not stored in any device at my home. I want to save some of the voice mail messages and drop the voicemail service that Qwest offers. Is there any way to run a plain telephone cord from the phone (plugging it in where the receiver plugs in) to the telephone input (the one I used for faxing) on my computer and copy the voice mail messages that way? If you have any experience with this sort of thing or knowledge of techniques that work, please let me know. Thanks, Genie |
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10 Feb 11 - 10:46 PM (#3092888) Subject: RE: Tech: transfer voice mail to mp3 files - how? From: The Fooles Troupe The simplest would be using a microphone, but the quality may be atrocious. |
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10 Feb 11 - 11:08 PM (#3092898) Subject: RE: Tech: transfer voice mail to mp3 files - how? From: RTim I have used my H2 Zoom recorder for copying any sound/audio output via the Line out or Earphone jack of the device into the Zoom, where it is recorded on the SD card. You can even get a WAV file format as well as Mp3. Tim Radford |
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11 Feb 11 - 12:38 PM (#3093299) Subject: RE: Tech: transfer voice mail to mp3 files - how? From: Simon G My solution would be to install Skype and the Pamela Call Recorder and call the Qwest voice mail and play the messages. If you haven't got a microphone on the computer this would only work if Qwest messaging can be operated from the keypad. Of course I am assuming you are on broadband. If the modem in your computer supports voice and you have some voice calling software with it than you could plug the phone cable in and do it that way. The calling software might have recording built in or you may need to use some recording software. Simon |
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11 Feb 11 - 01:34 PM (#3093354) Subject: RE: Tech: transfer voice mail to mp3 files - how? From: Bernard The device you referred to is an induction device which will only work with dynamic earpieces as found on older phones. It's not too difficult to adapt a cheap all-in-one handset, though. They cost around a fiver (UK) from places such as Argos, and are designed to hook into a wall bracket when not in use. Carefully open one up, and connect a piece of signal wire to the headphone speaker connections, and a jack plug or socket at the other end to suit the equipment you are connecting to. If it's a computer, a 3.5mm TRS (Tip/Ring/Sleeve aka 'stereo') jack is all you need. Bear in mind the output will be at Line Level (that's where the terminology originated), which gives a much stronger signal than your mic input will accept - most PCs (not laptops) have a blue coloured input - that is the Line input. Don't forget the Line input is usually stereo - it's okay to parallel the tip and ring to feed the same signal to both channels. The sleeve connection (ground or earth) needs keeping separate. The professional way to do it is by using a 'Telephone Balance Unit' (aka Telephone Hybrid), but they are seriously expensive - typically between one and two grand! I was lucky enough to liberate a dual Studer destined for the skip at a well known commercial TV station, and we have Sonifex ones at work and at the radio station. Okay, the results won't be as good using the mod I suggested above, but should be adequate. I used that technique at the Fire Station at BAe Woodford to allow the telephone to route to the PA in the event of an emergency - typically an aircraft in difficulties - so I know it's a viable solution! |
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12 Feb 11 - 09:13 AM (#3093761) Subject: RE: Tech: transfer voice mail to mp3 files - how? From: Genie Thanks for the suggestions, folks. I'll have to spend some time deciphering and mulling over the tech aspects such as whether I can use my laptop keypad in lieu of the phone keypad, whether Skype will work with my Mac, etc. Some of the emails I want to save are songs - e.g., my late father and sister singing to me. The sound quality is poor enough just because they were left as voice mails, so I don't want to worsen that sound quality by trying to use a mic in front of the telephone receiver or put the phone on "speaker phone." My modem (at least on my older iBook) allows me to hear incoming phone calls (at least when I'm trying to fax and someone picks up the phone on their fax line), but I don't know how to save that sort of incoming audio. I could play around with using that laptop while calling my voice mail. I just don't think there's a "Record" option for that phone input. Tim, what is an H2 Zoom recorder? Bernard, how old would a phone have to be to have a dynamic earpiece? Would it have to be an old rotary dial phone? (I think I actually have one of those somewhere.) Or do the earlier touch-tone phones have them too? Since the 'Telephone Balance Unit' (aka Telephone Hybrid) you referred to is so expensive, I'm wondering if anyone with a studio equipped with one might offer this sort of service, the way professional recording studios do with their other pricey gear. I'd be glad to pay recording-studio rates to have my voice mails transferred professionally to digital files. |
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12 Feb 11 - 09:32 AM (#3093774) Subject: RE: Tech: transfer voice mail to mp3 files - how? From: RTim A Zoom H2 recorder is a small, easy to use Digital Recorder. Type Zoom H2 into Google and you will see examples and costs, etc. Tim Radford |
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12 Feb 11 - 10:01 AM (#3093793) Subject: RE: Tech: transfer voice mail to mp3 files - how? From: Bernard Yes, the older dial phones (700 series and trimphone - okay, so you can mimic one!) have dynamic earpieces, and that's what the induction coil was designed to work with. Pretty much any 'loop disconnect' phone is likely to have a dynamic earpiece. 'Loop Disconnect' is the old dialling system where the dial simply closed and opened the line rapidly to provide the dial signal to the exchange. They play have with domestic installations where people try to mix them with modern digital phones! It used to be possible to 'dial' a number just by tapping the cradle if you knew what you were doing! Some modern phones are available with an induction loop for hearing aid users, but by no means all. Such a phone will work with your induction device. If you'd like to use my TBU setup to do it, I'd be happy to oblige - PM me for my email address/phone number. I'm based near Manchester UK... if that's too far away, you can rent one from most PA hire companies, and they are fairly easy to use once you are shown how. Basically, they split the audio into two channels - earpiece signal and mouthpiece signal, just as a telephone handset would do, but more controllable. That way you reduce the risk of feedback in a 'live' situation. |
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14 Feb 11 - 04:17 PM (#3095268) Subject: RE: Tech: transfer voice mail to mp3 files - how? From: Genie Speaking of trouble getting posts to post, I just typed this one and hit "Submit Message," but it didn't go through! Thanks to all of you for the suggestions. I'll save a pretty penny by d/c'ing my Qwest voice mail service - which I'll do as soon as I have my voice mails saved. |
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04 May 11 - 08:14 PM (#3148126) Subject: RE: Tech: transfer voice mail to mp3 files - how? From: GUEST Awesome service called www.voicemailsforever.com i owe them so much for preserving my grandmas voice... woww! |
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04 May 11 - 11:13 PM (#3148217) Subject: RE: Tech: transfer voice mail to mp3 files - how? From: Joe Offer Many years ago, Barry Finn called my voice mail and left his rendition of "Haul on the Bowline" to help me learn it. I tried to figure out how to record that voice mail, but wasn't able to. Another voice mail I'd like to have recorded, is the one that announced my mother's death. I appreciate the suggestions, but nothing quite fills the bill for me yet - although the Skype suggestion sounds interesting.... Hey, I want something EASY!!!! -Joe- |