I have created a program that will record a user's voice from a hotkey combination. The application, Voice Log, doesn't have to be the active application. It can be minimized to the task bar and it will still record when the hotkey combination is pressed. A second press of the hotkey combination will stop the recording. For confirmation, two beeps will be sounded when recording is started and one beep will sound when recording is ended. This can be disabled on the Settings screen. Below are some screenshots.
Main screen
Main screen with app set to open the output folder when recording stops
Settings screen. The buttons can be clicked on the form or pressed on the keyboard to designate modifier. The actual key that goes with the modifier must be pressed. Ctrl + Insert is the default.
The taskbar when the application is active.
The taskbar when the application is inactive and/or minimized. This is for a quick reminder of the hotkey combination. In full screen gaming, though, even the taskbar will be covered. For this reason a Voice Log profile for Voice Attack has been provided. Saying "Open log" will press the hotkey to commence recording. Saying "Close log" will do the same to stop recording. The profile also sets a variable so it knows when Voice Log is actually recording. This is all in the READ_FIRST.txt file including how to use it with other profiles, which is included with the archive. Just download it, unzip it anywhere and run it. The program also lets you create a desktop shortcut. This is on the Main Menu under Maintenance.
You can download it by clicking here
You can download it by clicking here