VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[TDAVID]

Hey guys. I've got a software question. I just moved my protools setup (I've got an MBox 2) from a pc to a mac (OSX Mac Book Pro) and am wanting to setup Skype as a phone patch. It's eluding my efforts. Any thoughts?

T. David
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T. David Rutherford
www.TDavidR.com
303-475-7922

[Deirdre]

Skype works independently of Pro Tools.

What are you trying to do with Skype?
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[brianforrester]

Creatin a fancy dancy ip based phone patch of sorts??... Probably not going to happen easily with ProTools and Skype.

Not sure about the Mac world, but on a PC both ProTools and Skype are absolute process hogs, they don't play nicely together and will likely cause your system to freeze up and/or crash.

That being said, assuming that you have a system that can easily handle both, unless things have changes a whole bunch since I last tried this little experiment, I highly doubt that you can get your Mbox to act as a "sound device" in Skype. Mbox is not wired to be used as an non-ProTools device with 3rd party applications; at least not without a Digidesign approved asio driver that for lack of a better term, creates a software "bridge" between the Mbox and software, in your case Skype...

Another thing that you could try... again, assuming that your system remains stable running both PT and Skype, is use your on-board sound card as the Skype input and output device and by cables, route your audio through it, as well as through the mbox... this could get a little tricky and may cause some nasty noises if not done correctly , assuming that is, that is works at all

Good luck. My honest advice though; buy an analog phone patch. They're more stable and will likely cause fewer headaches than trying to make Skype and ProTools play nicely together.

All the best,

Brian
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Brian Forrester Voice Overs
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[TDAVID]

thanks Brian, that's exactly what I'm trying to do. I was hoping it was different on a mac. So, I guess I'll just go back to the analog world. thanks for the input.
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T. David Rutherford
www.TDavidR.com
303-475-7922

[Frank F]

Just so you are aware, ProTools does not play nicely with anything else. So as Brian suggested, the use of a second, inexpensive, non-PT sound card is a great option.

Then, for you basic recording you will use PT, but for the "phone patch" concept use Skype and one of the multiple Skype recording programs for Mac. this can be created and used without the problems previously indicated (popping, noise, etc.).

Here are a few of the Mac based Skype recording programs... use them or play with them to find the quality of recording you are able to provide through these programs - you might be surprised at the quality on YOUR side of the conversation; then import the audio to PT for editing:

1. Audio Hijack (Mac - Universal) - Quickly and easily save audio from almost any application to an AIFF file. Slick integration with OS X. Free, optional upgrade offering ability to tweak sound.

2. Call Recorder (Mac) - Skype plugin to record conversations and save as AAC, or convert to MP3.

3. GarageBand - Workaround: uses 2 other as, LineIn (Universal - free) and Soundflower (Universal - free). If you don’t want to spend extra on a dedicated a, try this.

4. Nicecast (Mac - Universal) - Podcasting a that can be setup to record from Skype.

5. WireTap Pro (Mac - Universal) - Powerful a to record and save Skype calls directly into your iTunes library or onto your iPod. Also can record streaming audio from internet. Variable file formats available for saving.

Good luck and Toodles

Frank F
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com