How to Record Yourself for RISK!

Record Your Story for RISK!

So, you have a story to share with us but you’re not sure how to get it to us? Below is a list of recording tips for you to get the highest quality recording of your story into an audio file you can send directly to us. First let’s decide how best to record your story. If you own or have access to a digital recorder, this is the best option because of the great sound quality of the microphones built in. If you can use a digital recorder, please set the record quality to a high quality setting such as .wav or .mp3 with a compression of 256k or higher, and skip ahead to the recording suggestions below.

If you do not have a digital audio recorder, there are many more options listed below.

Use your Phone or Tablet:

Most smart phones not only have good built-in microphones but usually contain a program with which to record and save your audio files. Here are a couple of step by step method links for recording your story:

For iPhones, iPads, and iPods: CLICK HERE

For other smartphones: CLICK HERE

MAC computers

Mac computers have a program called Quicktime built into the OS. Look in your Applications folder for the Quicktime program and open it. To make an audio recording, choose File > New Audio Recording. Click the circular record button once to start or stop your recording.

NewAudioRecordingQT10-en

Clicking the triangle gives you additional options, such as letting you choose whether to use the built-in microphone on your Mac, an external microphone you’ve connected to your Mac, a microphone from a connected Apple display, and lets you adjust the finished quality of your recording. (For best results, keep the recording quality as high as possible)

The current running file size is displayed on the bottom right of the controls while you’re recording; this changes to the total elapsed time when you stop recording. The sound meter (located at the bottom of the controls) makes it easy to ensure your volume level is consistent, and is helpful for making sure you’re an appropriate distance from the microphone.

PC computers:

On PC computers, you can use Sound Recorder to record your story and save it as an audio file on your computer. To record with Windows Sound Recorder, follow these steps:

  1. Make sure you have your microphone, connected to your computer.

  2. (If recording a High Quality story for a radio style story for us, please increase the output quality of the recording to a .wav file by doing the following. Go to Start by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button. In the search box, type soundrecorder /file outputfile.wav in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER

  3. Open Sound Recorder by again clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button. In the search box, type Sound Recorder, and then, in the list of results, click Sound Recorder.

  4. Click Start Recording.

  5. To stop recording audio, click Stop Recording.

  6. (Optional) If you want to continue recording audio, click Cancel in the Save As dialog box, and then click Resume Recording. Continue to record sound, and then click Stop Recording.

  7. Click the File name box, type a file name for the recorded sound, and then click Save to save the recorded sound as an audio file.

More information can be found HERE.

Recording Suggestions:

  • When recording audio for us, please record in a quiet room free from any fans, refrigerators, and other electronic noises. Windows should be closed to prevent outside noise as well.
  • Position yourself to speak about 6-10 inches away from your microphone and speak clearly without moving around a lot.
  • If you make a mistake while you are telling your story, redo a sentence from the beginning of the sentence when possible.
  • Headset microphones are sometimes not as good to record with as the built in laptop microphones, if you use one of these, be extra careful not to bump the microphone while speaking or have it positioned so closely that it can brush against your face or clothing
  • Prior to recording your story, record a test recording and listen back to it to make sure everything is ready for the main recording session.
  • If you are having any troubles in recording or sending your files to us, please contact our editor, Jeff, for help at the following email: Jeff@risk-show.com