| Recording telephone conversations used to require | | | | complement your modem. The software would |
| expensive hardware and dedicated recording | | | | control your modem, record and store |
| equipment. On the low end, one could use a | | | | conversations on your hard disk. In the past, |
| simple wire to connect a phone handset with a | | | | modem manufacturers used to bundle such |
| tape recorder. An office with multiple phone lines | | | | software with their modems, but this is not the |
| would need expensive solutions that integrate a | | | | case today. Currently, you are on your own if |
| PBX with call recording. PBXpress is a great | | | | you need software that can record your calls. |
| example of this approach, providing effective | | | | Call Corder ( by Pingram Software is one of such |
| simultaneous recording of analog and digital (VoIP) | | | | products. Its purpose is recording telephone |
| telephone conversations over multiple lines. | | | | conversations, compressing them, and storing in |
| But what if you only need to tap certain | | | | Windows compatible sound files that can be |
| conversations once in a while? Purchasing | | | | played back with Windows Media Player, Winamp, |
| expensive hardware is not nearly cost-effective in | | | | or any other music player. |
| this case. Using a tape recorder is always an | | | | Call Corder supports most brands of modemd. If |
| option, but it does not give you the convenience | | | | it can't find an exact match for your hardware, it |
| of digital, its user-friendly instant navigation and | | | | defaults to the closest generic device. If you are |
| transparent search. | | | | recording an incoming call, Call Corder will log Caller |
| Using a computer to handle the recording is | | | | ID information provided by your modem. This |
| perfect for the purpose. Surprisingly, you might | | | | usually includes caller's name and number. In order |
| already have the necessary equipment to start | | | | to receive this call information, you have to |
| recording phone conversations immediately. A | | | | subscribe to the Caller ID service offered by your |
| simple voice modem is the only hardware you | | | | phone company. If you do not have Caller ID, you |
| need. It is fully capable and sufficient to record | | | | can always fill in the caller data by hand. |
| your phone conversations. Have a close look at | | | | Make marks and memos about the conversation |
| your modem. If it is marked "Voice" or "Data/Fax | | | | while you're recording or when you're finished. You |
| Voice", you can use this modem for tapping. If, | | | | can conveniently search for a particular call by |
| however, it is labeled as "Data/Fax" or "Fax | | | | typing any word or phrase that's in the call's |
| Modem", then most probably your modem does | | | | memo, and Call Corder will automatically show |
| not support the necessary voice features, and | | | | you all conversations containing this information. |
| therefore it won't be able to record. | | | | Of course, you can also search by the telephone |
| Having a voice modem alone is not enough to | | | | number or the name of the caller. |
| record calls. You need call recording software to | | | | |