I did some more fiddling around with the setting.

If I "disable" tune audio route - my voice is crystal clear - there is no drop in volume nor distortion, meaning noise cancellation is not even applied. However, the other caller it is silent.

For Group 3, it seems that my calls are recorded, and the other side I can hear perfectly. However, after 10 seconds, my voice drops off.

What exactly is being disabled in the tune audio route to make my voice clear. And if that can be applied to Group 3 - then that may be the key to solving this issue.

Appreciate the help.

I researched further and there is the ability to leverage camcorder mediarecorder. Is there a record mode for this one.
=> Record Mode 11 is it.

Is there a way to mimic this recording route through the call setting app?

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Thanks boldbeast

Did further testing. It works well when I am in a closed environment ie I am not outside at a park but inside a room.

I researched further and there is the ability to leverage camcorder mediarecorder. Is there a record mode for this one. I guess this is my last try.

I guess is there another option to record calls through the back microphone. I can't root this phone. Unless there is another way?

Without root there is little a recorder can tune.
However if you root the phone you have much more powerful options in Boldbeast Recorder available at once to tune audio sound.

So I did extensive testing and again it records clear on these modes but after 5 secs my voice or the caller becomes low. I have confirmed that noise cancellation is on by default by looking at the build prop file under phone call and there is no option to turn it off. I also confirmed that if I record a memo via back microphone the sound is crystal clear. I guess is there another option to record calls through the back microphone.
I can't root this phone.

Unless there is another way?

I am still trying to figure out and I am looking at voice_communication or voice_recognition as the audio source that I may need. Is this what the above settings is for the record mode.

Please test Record Mode 11, 12, 13, 14.

Just wanted to know what are the exact modes of the tune audio route or record mode. I am still trying to figure out and I am looking at voice_communication or voice_recognition as the audio source that I may need. Is this what the above settings is for the record mode.

Thanks,

I just dont know what app would change the audio route - is there any way to identify which apps are used in the background when I make a phone call?

I'm afraid there is no good way.
If needed please click "Call Settings - Fix Recording Issues - Ask New Parameters" in Boldbeast Recorder to send log files to me, and tell me which call (the date and time) was recorded good, which call (the date and time) was recorded bad, let me check them and see what happened in your phone.

I have used the settings above as you have mentioned. Been trying to test these settings out again and noticed that I had my bluetooth signal disabled (not sure if I need it) but I enabled it again. It seems that the quality makes my longer conversations clearer on both sides when I listen back on the recordings.

It just seems that for some users - the conversations are clear but if other users (like a family member), the other person's voice become low.

I just dont know what app would change the audio route - is there any way to identify which apps are used in the background when I make a phone call?

For Moto E4 / Moto E4 Plus, please use suggested options in the post #1 above to record calls, it works very well.

If you disabled HD Voice but the problem is still there, I'm afraid I don't know the cause of the problem at this moment, sorry.
However, other Moto E4 / Moto E4 Plus users don't have this "sound is distorted" problem, they record calls crystal clear.

Ok thanks - I will still try and figure out why.

I tried to read your documentation but it doesnt speak to what are the different audio routes. May I ask what is the setting for moto e4 - what is tune audio route 3 and mode 1. Does it mean record the mic and the earpiece audio?

Model and physical features    Motorola Moto E4 XT1767
Brand    Motorola
Model    Moto E4 XT1767
Also known as    Lenovo Moto E4 USA (Snapdragon), Moto E 4th Gen. Single-Sim
Country or region where it's sold    USA
Release date    June, 2017
Design / Type    Bar
Depth    9.3 millimeters (0.37 inches)
Size (width x height)    72 x 144.5 millimeters (2.83 x 5.69 in)
Weight    150 grams (5.25 ounces)
Qwerty physical keyboard    Not supported
Antenna    Internal antenna
Water protection    Water resistant (Splash)
Operating system (OS)    Motorola Moto E4 XT1767
Operating system    Android 7.1 Nougat
Firmware update    Android 7.1.1 Nougat
Hardware    Motorola Moto E4 XT1767
Architecture - Chipset    64bit - Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 MSM8917 (28nm)
CPU processor    1.4Ghz Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A53
GPU graphical controller    Qualcomm Adreno 308
RAM memory    2GB LPDDR3
Internal storage    16GB (10GB user available)
External storage    Until 256GB microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC
Display    Motorola Moto E4 XT1767
Display type    TFT LCD IPS
Screen size    5" inches
Screen-to-body ratio    ~66.2% (screen-to-body ratio)
Touchscreen    Capacitive Multitouch
Display resolution    720 x 1280 pixels
Pixel density (dot pitch)    294 PPI
Colors    16 million
Scratch-resistant glass    Gorilla Glass 3
Mobile networks and data    Motorola Moto E4 XT1767
Dual SIM    Not supported
SIM card    1 slot
nano-SIM (4FF)
GSM Mhz band    Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900
2G network    CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900
3G network    CDMA2000 EV-DO
UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100
4G network    LTE Cat4 700/850/900/1700/1900/2600 (Bands 2,4,5,7,8,12,13,17,25,26,66)
TD-LTE 2500/2600 (Bands 38,41)
Data network    GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE
2G network SIM2    Not supported
3G network SIM2    Not supported
4G network SIM2    Not supported
Data network SIM2    Not supported
Maximum download/upload    150/50 Mbps
Messaging and calling    Motorola Moto E4 XT1767
Messaging    SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail
Speakerphone    Supported
Video calling    Supported
Call control    Voice dialing, Voice recorder
Primary camera / Back camera    Motorola Moto E4 XT1767
Main camera    8 megapixels
Main camera resolution    3264 x 2448 pixels
Video recording (primary)    Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) 30 fps
Flash    LED flash on both cameras
Focal aperture    f/2.2 (aperture)
Focal length    feature not registered
Sensor size    feature not registered
Pixel size    1.12µm pixel
Autofocus    Autofocus
Touch focus    Supported
Image stabilization    EIS: Digital stabilization
Zoom    Only digital zoom
Face/smile detection    Face detection, Smile detection
BSI sensor    Not supported
HDR    HDR photo on both cameras
Front camera / Secondary camera    Motorola Moto E4 XT1767
Front camera    5 megapixels
Front camera resolution    2560 x 1920 pixels
Video recording (secondary)    HD (1280 x 720 pixels)
Front flash    LED
Focal aperture    f/2.2 (aperture)
Focal length    feature not registered
Sensor size    feature not registered
Pixel size    1.4µm pixel
Multimedia    Motorola Moto E4 XT1767
Radio    FM
TV    Not supported
Video formats    MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263
Audio formats    MP3, WAV, eAAC+, AC3, FLAC
Connectivity and interfaces    Motorola Moto E4 XT1767
USB    USB 2.0 Micro-B (Micro-USB)
TV output    Not supported
Audio output    3.5mm jack
Bluetooth    4.1 version with A2DP
WiFi    802.11 a/b/g/n
DLNA    Not supported
NFC    Not supported
GPS    A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS
Infrared port    Not supported
Other functions    Motorola Moto E4 XT1767
Active noise cancellation    Supported
Vibrating alert    Supported
Ringtones    Polyphonic and customized
Web browser    HTML, XHTML, HTML5
Java / Flash player    Not supported
Sensors    Accelerometer
Proximity
Compass
Ambient Light
Biometric (fingerprint)
Other features    - Colors: Iron Grey, Blush Gold, Oxford Blue
- 2.5D cover glass screen
- Fast battery charging
- 10W charger
- WiFi hotspot
Power supply and autonomy    Motorola Moto E4 XT1767
Battery technology    Lithium ion Polymer (LiPo) - Removable
Battery capacity    2800 mAh
Battery model    GK40
Talk time    feature not registered
Standby    feature not registered
Specific absorption rate (radiation)    Motorola Moto E4 XT1767
SAR USA, Mexico, Colombia    feature not registered
SAR European Union, UK    feature not registered

My chipset is 64bit - Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 MSM8917.

And I can't get access to any system settings - so it says there is active noise cancellation however, what I have done was covered the second microphone - at the back of the phone to disable it.

Anything else that you could recommend.

If I am in an office or building (ie stationary) the recording sounds clear. However if I am walking outside the recorded calls become muffled. Another observation I find that certain callers i.e girlfriend seems to be clear while callers such as my brother his voice is almost always muffled or low.

Thanks for the information. So I guess (just guess) the problem is related to "HD Voice".
You enabled the HD Voice feature, is it right? Previously some Nexus 5X users met the similar problem. The problem appears if the caller's phone doesn't support HD Voice, or at the moment your wireless signal or his signal don't support HD Voice. They fixed the problem by disabling HD Voice. Please disable HD Voice in your phone and test again.

so could the issue be carrier specific/phone/location that is messing with the audio route? I can't find a pattern.
Thanks