We have reviewed our fair share of programs in the past. From iFree Recorder over Skype Call Recorder to Call Graph.

MP3 Skype Recorder is another program for the Windows operating system that can record Skype conversations effortlessly. Skype needs to be running before the MP3 Skype Recorder software is started. A prompt is displayed on first start where Skype asks to allow or deny the software access to Skype.

The main interface becomes active after you have allowed access to Skype.

You may want to configure the options in the interface first. This includes unchecking the auto start option which is enabled by default or changing recording settings like the recording mode (mono, stereo, joint stereo) and recording bitrate. The bitrate is set to 24 by default which can be increased to 32, 64 or the maximum of 128.

A larger bitrate requires more space on the hard drive and improves quality of the recording. The last option that some users may want to change is the folder on the local hard drive where the conversations are stored. This can also be done in the main interface. Actually, there is no separate options page at all. Everything is handled directly in the main program window.

MP3 Skype Recorder can record Skype Out calls and calls to Skype online numbers. It starts recording conversations automatically whenever they are made and the recording button is activated (which it is by default). This is also indicated in the status bar.

MP3 Skype Recorder is an easy to use recording software for Skype. Interested users can download it from the developer website. The program is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit editions of the Windows operating system from Windows 2000 all the way to the latest version. In addition, the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 is required.

It can happen that the information stored in the shared.xml file is not optimal for the connection which can have a direct impact on sound quality of the conversation. Imaging being routed over half the world to call a friend who is living two blocks away from your location.

Deleting the file shared.xml forces Skype to rebuild that list during the next startup. You need to close Skype first and then head over to the Documents and Settings \Username \Application Data \Skype folder in which the shared.xml file can be found.

Just delete that file and restart Skype. Skype will automatically create a new file with that name in the very same directory. That’s still no guarantee that the Skype sound quality will be any better but it offers a good chance if other reasons like blocked ports, p2p background processes and the like are not reducing the quality.