# Transferring messages from a digital answering machine to computer?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-messages-from-a-digital-answering-machine-to-computer/618860>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 15, 2012, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-messages-from-a-digital-answering-machine-to-computer/618860 "2012-04-15T16:44:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\
**Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-messages-from-a-digital-answering-machine-to-computer/618860/1 "2012-04-15T16:44:28Z")

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I have a digital answering machine that’s built into the phone. Is there a way to get the messages on it onto my computer besides tape recorder \> to some kind of cassette to PC adapter \> computer?

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**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\
**Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-messages-from-a-digital-answering-machine-to-computer/618860/2 "2012-04-15T17:04:50Z")

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Aren’t cassette tape recorders a bit old fashioned? Can’t you plug a microphone into your computer itself? or, failing that, use a device that’s capable of digital recording, like a cell phone or mp3 player?

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**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\
**Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-messages-from-a-digital-answering-machine-to-computer/618860/3 "2012-04-15T17:40:22Z")

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> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#):
>
> Aren’t cassette tape recorders a bit old fashioned?

Yes, that’s why I’m looking for another way. I don’t want to buy a tape recorder and adapter that will collect dust after the job is done.

> [@](#):
>
> Can’t you plug a microphone into your computer itself? or, failing that, use a device that’s capable of digital recording, like a cell phone or mp3 player?

I didn’t think of trying a cellphone, but that could work. Thanks.

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**Author:** ![benbo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@benbo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/benbo1)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2012, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-messages-from-a-digital-answering-machine-to-computer/618860/4 "2012-04-17T08:18:37Z")

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mike plugged into computer, play message, record with Windows’ recorder or Audacity