Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve looked at different ways to create free printables and eBooks for your readers. But what if you’d rather not write? If you’re more comfortable with speaking than writing, you can always do an audio recording of your message and share it with your readers.
A few things to remember when you’re creating an audio recording:
- Have the content, or at least the outline of what you want to say written down or printed out. This will give you clarity on what you will be speaking about.
- Avoid background noise. I know we cannot completely soundproof our homes, but pick a time to record when your home is relatively quiet, and a room where you will not be disturbed.
- Position the microphone directly below your lips so your words are captured well.
- Go with the flow. You might make a few mistakes while recording; it is OK. If they are minor pronunciation or grammar errors, you can ignore them and go ahead with your recording. You will become more proficient with practice.
- If you feel you’ve dragged out the content, listen to your first recording, condense the points and re-record it.
Now lets move on to the mechanics of how to record an MP3 audio. Audacity is a free tool I use, and highly recommend. I have used it in the past for my podcast, and my eCourse as well.
How to Record an MP3 Audio using Audacity
The steps below showcase the Windows installation and recording; Mac & Linux versions are also available.
Step 1: Download Audacity.
Go to the Audacity download page and click on the Windows download link.
Click on the link to download the .exe installer.
Save the .exe file on to your computer.
Step 2: Run the installer file.
Double click the downloaded file and click on ‘Run’ to start the installation. It is the same process you use to install any other software program.
Follow the instructions displayed onscreen and complete the Audacity installation process.
Step 3: Download the LAME MP3 encoder.
This encoder allows Audacity to export MP3 files. Go to the Audaciy plugins page and click on the external LAME download page link.
You will be directed to a page with a single link, “click here to proceed to LAME DOWNLOAD SITE”. Click on it.
It will lead you to a page with lots of ads and links. Scroll down until you see the heading, “For FFmpeg/LAME on Windows click below:”. Click on the link, “Lame_v3.99.3_for_Windows.exe” beneath the heading (as shown in the screenshot below) and download the .exe file.
Double click the file installed on your computer, follow the onscreen instructions and complete the installation. (It’s not very complicated.) The encoder has been installed and now you’re ready to go ahead with your recording.
Step 4: Record your audio.
Open Audacity from the start menu: Start -> All Programs -> Audacity. If you have a shortcut on the desktop, you just need to double click the icon to open Audacity. This is what the interface looks like.
When you are ready to record, click the ‘Record’ button and start speaking.
Click the ‘Stop’ button to stop recording and click the ‘Play’ button to play back your recording.
If you are not happy with the recording, you can delete the track and try again. When I tried recording for the first time, the sound was very feeble. If you face the same problem, you can always amplify the sound.
From the ‘Edit’ menu, click ‘Select’ and then ‘All’.
Go to ‘Effect’ and click on ‘Amplify…’.
Choose the default option and click OK. Replay your recording to hear it again. If the volume is too high, you can undo the amplify effect by selecting ‘Undo Amplify’ from the ‘Edit’ menu (or press Ctrl + Z). You can play around with the amplify effect until you get your desired volume.
Step 5: Export the MP3 audio file.
Go to the ‘File’ menu and click on ‘Export’.
In the dialog box that pops up, choose where you want your file to be saved on your computer, enter a file name and select ‘MP3 files’ in the file type dropdown.
And voila, you are done! You can now upload the MP3 audio file to your website, and share it with your audience.
Today’s Challenge: If you’d like to offer your audience an audio freebie, download Audacity and give it a whirl.
Do you plan to offer free MP3 audios for your audience?
Leave a comment below to win a surprise gift worth $25!
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That’s a great tool! I tried doing an audio recording once but I tried to use a digital voice recorder. It was very clumsy and hard to get it to record well.
Oh Bonnie, recording depends also on the microphone you use. I am in the look out for a better one. Mine is just ok.
W-O-W!!!! I have a multi-part teaching I’ve wanted to share on my blog, but really didn’t have the energy to write it all out (it’s in outline form). I am going to seriously consider this option. I love it! And best of all – it’s free.
Audacity is really a awesome tool! It is powerful yet simple to use!