voice record

[stlw]

i would like to voice record onto a cd some meditations but do not know how
to go about it...thanks

 

[Shenan Stanley]

i would like to voice record onto a cd some meditations but do not
know how to go about it...thanks

Best bet - third party software (even freeware)...

Nothing built into Windows XP (this newsgroup) will likely do things the way
you want, for the length of time you want, etc...

 

[Big_Al]

stlw said this on 1/24/2009 1:19 PM:

i would like to voice record onto a cd some meditations but do not know how
to go about it...thanks

If you have a built in mic or purchase one, Audacity recorder will allow
you both to record and to edit out errors. So you can simply talk and
then go back and chop out long pauses, "ahhh's" etc if you wish.

You can save to both MP3 or Wave format. It saves in a proprietary
format so you have to export as mp3 etc.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

i would like to voice record onto a cd some meditations but do not know how
to go about it...thanks

There are a number of ways to do this, but you won't be recording directly
to CD. Putting on CD is the last step, and it's often easy.

If you're doing it from PC, the software is actually pretty much the easy
part. There is excellent free recording software, for example Audacity,
that can do a really, really good job.

Get Audacity here:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

This uses a "traditional" multi-track layout with the idea of a tape
transport - play, record, fast forward, rewind, and the ability to go to
specific locations. You can highlight sections of tracks and
copy/paste/move, apply effects as appropriate (for voice, that often means
compression). It's worth reading a few tutorials in it.

The next and more important step is selecting an appropriate microphone and
interface. There are a number of ways to do this, but you start with the
microphone. If you just want to get started, get an inexpensive PC mic and
plug it in, install Audacity, and see how it works.

When you have a good idea and are ready to step up, start looking at better
microphones and interfaces. Your PC likely has USB ports and a "mic in"
jack. Most good microphones have connectors that won't work with those
jacks, so you need something to convert.

I use condenser mics, which require phantom power (mine were inexpensive, in
the $150 range). I generally power them from a small mixer (about $80 is
where Phantom starts becoming available) and this mixer is connected either
to an external analog to digital interface, such as an M-AUdio Fast Track
Pro, or just plugged into the Mic jack with adapters. All of these yield
excellent results used properly.

Dyamic mics (such as the Shure SM-57) are cheaper, don't require power, and
will work with the mixer or interface.

You also need pop filters and screens, and you will need to practice to
learn the technique.

In all cases, you want to be sure that you do not ever overdrive the digital
portion of the recording. That won't sound good.

Here's a hint: sitting perfectly still while speaking can lead to a very
monotonous, boring and unengaging recording. Physical motions that
emphasise words can help greatly with sonic interest. Even if the motion is
invisible, the result is audible. Traffic announcers sometimes do this
to prevent their reports being stultifyingly dull.

Generally for voice use you want a rather directional mic, so that
extraneous noises are minimized. Othewise, you have to severely limit all
sounds in the room, and those entering it - including things like traffic
and elevators. You will hear and understand the reason the first time you
try to record with better gear.

With a directional mic, you can baffle with couch cusions and drapes just
behind you and to the side. And, your voice will reflect from the tabletop
so that must be damped as well.

The PC's fans will be a source of noise, and the monitor may induce hum in
the analog audio sections.

Here's a hint: Leave yourself a note that you unplugged the fridge to keep
it from showing up on the recording. Be *sure* to plug it back in when you
are done.

Some of this gear you can rent at music stores, such as the mic and mixer,
so if you need better quality but can't justify owning, you can spend less.

You will spend some time testing, and you might want to audition several
mics; they aren't all the same.

There is other gear that can be very good, such as the Roland R-09 type
recorders or the Boss BR-600. These produce files that will have to be
moved to a PC and then massaged and finally burnt to CD. They remove the
issue of noise from fans or monitors. The BR-600 is IIRC around $300, the
R-09 starts around $400 or more. It is a quality recorder.

In the final step, you will use software like Nero to burn the audio to CD.

Obviously, this is an area where there are *lots* of options available. A
key task is often figuring out the simplest way to do it without getting
caught up in the possibilities - and the expenses.

HTH
-pk

 

[stlw]

There are a number of ways to do this, but you won't be recording directly
to CD. Putting on CD is the last step, and it's often easy.

If you're doing it from PC, the software is actually pretty much the easy
part. There is excellent free recording software, for example Audacity,
that can do a really, really good job.

Get Audacity here:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

This uses a "traditional" multi-track layout with the idea of a tape
transport - play, record, fast forward, rewind, and the ability to go to
specific locations. You can highlight sections of tracks and
copy/paste/move, apply effects as appropriate (for voice, that often means
compression). It's worth reading a few tutorials in it.

The next and more important step is selecting an appropriate microphone and
interface. There are a number of ways to do this, but you start with the
microphone. If you just want to get started, get an inexpensive PC mic and
plug it in, install Audacity, and see how it works.

When you have a good idea and are ready to step up, start looking at better
microphones and interfaces. Your PC likely has USB ports and a "mic in"
jack. Most good microphones have connectors that won't work with those
jacks, so you need something to convert.

I use condenser mics, which require phantom power (mine were inexpensive, in
the $150 range). I generally power them from a small mixer (about $80 is
where Phantom starts becoming available) and this mixer is connected either
to an external analog to digital interface, such as an M-AUdio Fast Track
Pro, or just plugged into the Mic jack with adapters. All of these yield
excellent results used properly.

Dyamic mics (such as the Shure SM-57) are cheaper, don't require power, and
will work with the mixer or interface.

You also need pop filters and screens, and you will need to practice to
learn the technique.

In all cases, you want to be sure that you do not ever overdrive the digital
portion of the recording. That won't sound good.

Here's a hint: sitting perfectly still while speaking can lead to a very
monotonous, boring and unengaging recording. Physical motions that
emphasise words can help greatly with sonic interest. Even if the motion is
invisible, the result is audible. Traffic announcers sometimes do this
to prevent their reports being stultifyingly dull.

Generally for voice use you want a rather directional mic, so that
extraneous noises are minimized. Othewise, you have to severely limit all
sounds in the room, and those entering it - including things like traffic
and elevators. You will hear and understand the reason the first time you
try to record with better gear.

With a directional mic, you can baffle with couch cusions and drapes just
behind you and to the side. And, your voice will reflect from the tabletop
so that must be damped as well.

The PC's fans will be a source of noise, and the monitor may induce hum in
the analog audio sections.

Here's a hint: Leave yourself a note that you unplugged the fridge to keep
it from showing up on the recording. Be *sure* to plug it back in when you
are done.

Some of this gear you can rent at music stores, such as the mic and mixer,
so if you need better quality but can't justify owning, you can spend less.

You will spend some time testing, and you might want to audition several
mics; they aren't all the same.

There is other gear that can be very good, such as the Roland R-09 type
recorders or the Boss BR-600. These produce files that will have to be
moved to a PC and then massaged and finally burnt to CD. They remove the
issue of noise from fans or monitors. The BR-600 is IIRC around $300, the
R-09 starts around $400 or more. It is a quality recorder.

In the final step, you will use software like Nero to burn the audio to CD.

Obviously, this is an area where there are *lots* of options available. A
key task is often figuring out the simplest way to do it without getting
caught up in the possibilities - and the expenses.

HTH
-pk

thanks hth for everything you told me...it will help quite a bit...