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The first part of creating your podcast is figuring out how to record your audio. There are a variety of common tools you can use, like a phone or computer/tablet, and there are a few recording equipment options, like those listed on the Equipment page. For most students, the simplest is recording directly to your phone. There are a variety of apps that are free or low cost: check the Software page for some recommendations. But the simplest are:
You may find that your phone's built-in microphone isn't cutting it. Using an external mic like our Movo PM-10 Lavalier Mic can help you pick up quality audio close to your source and not capture those distant background noises.
However, if you want to, or need to, use a different device, one of the Library's Zoom H1n digital recorders will do a very similar job. You can learn about using the recorder with this 10-minute video: Beginner's Guide to the Zoom H1n audio recorder.
Another simple option is to use your computer or tablet. You can record to your computer using a variety of apps, but we recommend Audacity, which is a free and open source program that makes it very easy to record- simply hit the record button! You will likely want a mic that you can plug in -- most built-in mics will not provide great results unless you have a very controlled environment. However, simple mics like those built into headphones can work quite well.
You can also use Zoom to record multiple people in various locations. Depending on your and your co-hosts' internet connection, this can be an amazing option on it's own. Skip down below to learn some specifics on using Zoom for podcasting.
You can use many other options than those listed here. If you are familiar with recording, feel free to use whatever you are comfortable with!
This lavalier microphone works with smartphones and tablets and will help you capture high quality audio for interviews. The mic is setup to work with smartphones- just plug it in and start talking. This mic will NOT work with the cameras or digital recorders.
This mic is simple- plug it into your phone or tablet and start using it. It will NOT work with other types of devices.
Lavalier mics are fairly simple but placement can be very important. This short video covers the topic well:
The Zoom H1n digital recorder allows you to capture quality audio easily. If you don’t have a smartphone (or any room to add apps or files!) this is a great way to record. You can use the included USB cable to connect it to a computer or iOS device to use it as a microphone with any audio or video editing/recording software. Overdubbing capabilities make this a great option for recording music!
The recorder is great for interviews or for capturing high quality audio for your video projects. You can mount the recorder to a tripod using the threaded mount on the back of the recorder. To power on, slide the switch on the right-hand side down and hold for 2-3 seconds. Hit the record button to stop/start recording (the light will turn on while recording). Use the buttons below the LCD screen to control playback.
It's also easy to export your audio tracks. Simply connect via the included USB cable or eject the Micro SD card. Instructions for using the USB cable to export recordings:
The included Micro SD card (2GB minimum) should provide at least 2-3 hours of recording. You may want a backup SD card and/or batteries (2 x AAA) if you have a very long project.
For a quick demonstration, including an example of the difference in sound quality compared with a phone, this video featuring Tina Guo, shows how to do a simple recording.
This digital recorder is a great option for capturing high quality audio. The quality x-y stereo microphones are great for capturing interviews as well as a variety of sounds. Your projects are instantly saved to the removable SD card and can be downloaded via the included USB cable or by inserting the SD card into your device.
The recorder is great for interviews or for capturing high quality audio for your video projects. You can mount the recorder to a tripod using the threaded mount. To power on, slide the switch on the right-hand side down and hold for 2-3 seconds. Hit the record button to stop/start recording and use the buttons on the right side to control playback.
It's also easy to export your audio tracks. Simply connect via the included USB cable or eject the Micro SD card.
The included Micro SD card (2GB minimum) should provide at least 2-3 hours of recording. Get a backup battery (AA) if you want to ensure your recording is uninterrupted.