S.W.I.R.L. - Creating Audio

If you have a newer model Mac computer with Garageband, there is a great tutorial included with your Garageband program. You can use the built-in microphone in your computer to record your voice. If you need more help, most local Apple stores offer free courses in Garageband and podcasting to help you get started.

RECORDING WITH FREE AUDIO PROGRAM FOR BOTH PCS AND MACS

The free "Audacity" program is available from SourceForge for both Macs and PCs. It's very basic and best for recording spoken word -- such as stories, poems, public service information, commentary, etc. You can download the free "Audacity" program at: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/ and you can find a tutorial to get you started at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/manual-1.2/tutorials.html

RECORDING ON AN OLDER MAC WITH SOUND STUDIO

You can make recordings directly on your older Apple Computer using the “Sound Studio” program (brownish circular icon) that comes pre-installed in most older Macs and the built-in microphone in your computer.
- Look under your “Applications” folder to find “Sound Studio.”
- Open the “Sound Studio” file.
- Click on the “Sound Studio” icon.
- SPEAK LOUDLY. You should see movement on your “Input Level” meter that matches your speaking rhythm.
- Press “record” and start talking.
- Press “stop” when you are finished.
- To play back, hit your return key and then press “play”. You will hear playback through your computer speaker, so make sure it's turned up.
- Click and drag your mouse to select material for editing (if desired).
- “Save As” your file with a special name, in a location where you know you will find it (such as the Desktop).

If you are not seeing anything on the meter when you speak into the microphone LOUDLY:
- Look under “Audio” in the pull-down menu
- Choose “Sound Input/Output”
- Make sure it is set to “Built-in Audio” and “Internal Microphone”

If you are not hearing any playback on your computer speaker:
- Make sure the playback volume is turned all the way up on Sound Studio (upper right corner) AND ON YOUR MAC (volume is usually a pulldown menu on your upper right, a little speaker icon). If you're SURE your volume is up on both of these, and you still hear nothing....
- Look under “Audio” in the pull-down menu
- Choose “Sound Input/Output”
- Try changing the setting to a different Output.

NOTE: Built-in computer speakers don't play back audio very loudly. It is better to use headphones for listening to playback. There's a little headphone jack in the side of your computer.

CONVERTING SOUND FILES TO MP3 FOR SWIRL

SWIRL can accept MP3s that are compressed at any bitrate. It is advisable to compress your files at the highest quality bitrate possible if you are sending recordings less than 10 minutes long. Choose lower bitrates for long programs involving mainly spoken word.

Instructions for Converting Sound Files to MP3 with Itunes

- Open Itunes
- Under “File” choose “New Playlist”
- Name your playlist something
- Click on your playlist
- Drag your audio file (on your desktop?) into the folder
- Select your audio file by clicking on it ONCE
- Go under “Advanced” and choose “Convert Selection to MP3”
- It will then take a little time to convert your file. See the orange icon under “Source.”

Once it’s finished....

Go to your Itunes Music Folder to locate your actual converted MP3. This is NOT the playlist or the library. You can find the location of the Itunes Music Folder by looking under “Advanced”. Under “General” you will see “Itunes Music Folder Location” and that information will be listed below it. It will tell you in which drive and which folders the MP3 is stored. I strongly suggest resetting this so that the folder is on your desktop (otherwise Itunes will bury it somewhere deeply within your “Users” folder).