1. It has an easy learning curve.
2. It has advanced features for those who want them.
3. It is free.
Download Audacity here:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
There are Windows, Mac OS 9 or X, and Linux/Unix versions available. You will also have to download the LAME MP3 encoder which allows Audacity to export MP3 files. You will see the download link for that on the same page as the Audacity download.
Recording your voice with Audacity is very simple and the website provides easy tutorials and additional help here. I won't re-invent the wheel on this aspect of your podcasting. Download the program and review the clearly written help information.
(As a sidenote: for those interested, I have already created a free online course entitled, Learn To Edit Audio Like A Radio Pro” which will teach you how to use audacity for advanced editing. You can sign up here for the course and lessons will be emailed to you separately)
If, after you have downloaded and tried Audacity you think it is still too complicated for your situation, there is another alternative. Windows has its own recording utility called Sound Recorder which is just about the easiest way I know to record just voice. The Windows help file says:
Using Sound Recorder, you can record, mix, play, and edit sounds. You can also link or insert sounds into another document. You can modify an uncompressed sound file by:
Adding sounds to a file.
Deleting part of the sound file.
Changing the playback speed.
Changing the playback volume.
Changing the playback direction.
Changing or converting the sound file type.
Adding an echo.
To access this utility...
Click: Start|Programs|Accessories|Entertainment|Sound Recorder.
Sound Recorder will only save files in .wav format which means you will still have to convert your final recording into an .mp3 file. Yahoo! MusicMatch Jukebox can also do this for you. There's a free version and an enhanced version.
Now, you will also need a microphone. There are many types which range in quality and price. For affordable voice recording, I recommend a unidirectional, dynamic-type microphone. Radio shack sells inexpensive ones and you’ll also find a good selection of higher quality mikes at most music stores. In addition, I have created an easy list of microphones you can compare by price here.
Shure makes several models that are versatile and affordable for voice but there are higher quality choices from companies such as Sennheiser, audio-technica, Neumann and more. How much you spend on a microphone is a personal matter between you and your budget. Remember: ebay is a good place to search for bargains if you know what you’re looking for.
When you are ready to record, plug your microphone into your soundcard's mike input and open up Windows's Volume Control. (Mac users use the equivalent. Sorry, I can't provide those specifics.) In Windows here's how:
Click: Start
Navigate to: Programs|Accessories|Entertainment|Volume Control
On Volume Control in the upper left hand corner
Click: Options and highlight Properties
Select: Recording
Press: OK
Make sure you put a check in the Select box under where it says MIC
The Volume switch can be adjusted using the slider control as you begin to do your recording
Start a new recording using Audacity, check your levels and begin your program. Edit test audio or other glitches when you are finished.
When your audio is done and saved, you will need to remember to write down:
1. Where you saved it so you can upload it later
2. What the exact file size is.
To ascertain that, just:
1. Right click on the .mp3 file you created
2. Click “properties” and note the size. As an example, it will look like this:
Size: 4.61 MB (4,834,743 bytes)
What you want to write down is 4834743 without the commas.
