1. A Well Written Script

Often we think we can wing it when we record audio, but too many problems can arise during recording that will make re-recording a necessity: the phone ringing, a knock on the door, the computer freezing, or voice imperfections/cracking. A script allows you to re-record without the pain of trying to remember the genius of your last take.

When writing your script, it is a good idea to read it out loud while writing. If the words do not seem natural to you when spoken, this will be reflected when you record. Use words and phrases you are accustomed to. You will also find, when writing the script and reading it out loud, that you will remove excess or unclear words and ideas.

Once your script is drafted, read it to someone. If no one is available, read it to yourself out loud. Does it make sense? Does it sound good? Is it getting your point across? Another reason to read your script out loud is for practice. Once your script is solid, it is time to start recording.

2. A (Semi) Quiet Environment

There is no point in putting together a professional recording studio to put a few audio clips on your web site. All you need is a quiet room, your computer, and as few interruptions as possible. Here are some quick tips to make a quiet environment for recording:

• If your computer is loud, put a towel over the front of the case to reduce vibrations. Do not cover the back of the machine or your computer could overheat.
• Close all windows if external noise is an issue.
• Turn off your phone ringer.
• Turn your computer speakers off when recording to remove feedback.
• Ask others to be quiet and not to interrupt you while recording.

You do not have to ensure absolute background silence because people will be listening from their computers and will have background noise anyway. But do the best you can to keep the audio recording as clean as possible.

3. A Good Microphone

The better the microphone, the better the audio quality of your recording. A good battery-operated Sony microphone that can plug into your computer's audio card will do. We recommend Sony's ECM-MS907 or any of the Sony FV* series. Whatever microphone you use, ensure that it will fit into your computer's microphone port on the sound card.

If you do not have a stand for your microphone, you can fashion a coat hanger to put around your neck to hold the microphone in place for consistent recording. It may sound goofy, but it will save you time and money, as well as give you good microphone positioning.

4. The Audio Software

Audio software allows you to record the audio onto your computer, edit it, fix it, and save it. The most cost-effective recording solution is an open-source application called Audacity. ("Open source" means free). You can download Audacity from their web site at http://www.audacity.sourceforge.net/.

You will also be asked to install lame_enc.dll to be able to save your recording as an MP3. Here are the instructions: http://www.edhsonline.org/other/audacity/audacity_lame_install.html.

Once you have Audacity installed, you are ready to record.

Recording:

• Always do a couple of tests to get the microphone distance just right.
• Try to get it in one take so the audio is consistent.
• Be animated and alive.

Editing and Saving:

• When your recording sounds just right, save a copy in the standard .wav format.
• Use the "Normalize" tool to ensure the audio levels are correct, otherwise the volume and sound quality on your listeners speakers will be up and down.
• Save your audio files as MP3s to keep the download times short.

Now that your audio is saved, how do you put it online?

Putting Audio on your Website

There are two options for you: 1) link directly to the MP3s, or 2) use a cool Flash player that will play the audio automatically. To make either of these options work, you need to copy the audio files to your web server (preferably storing the audio files in a folder called "audio"). We recommend the "Wimpy Button" to put audio online because it is the easiest tool to do the trick and it is only US$20.00.