Record Spoken Audio
This section summarises the process of creating a recorded audio book. While you can use cassette and CD recorders, the best method is to record with a computer so that you can make digital audio files for downloading to an iPod or other MP3 player, or burning to CD. Some programs for recording and editing sound files are listed below. A few suggestions:
- Save as MP3 files rather than WAV or WMA. MP3 are smaller than WAV and can be played back on more players than WMA
- Record chapters/sections as separate MP3 tracks so that the reader can fast forward through the book
- Give each MP3 track a sensible name e.g. 'book title chapter 1'
- If you are making audio books for blind or visually impaired readers, consider creating Daisy audio books. These can have more navigation facilities so that the reader can find particular sections of the book more quickly. See the Using Books page for more on MP3 and Daisy.
Programs for recording and editing sound files
| Program | Comment | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|
| Audacity | Excellent free audio recorder/editor for Windows, MacOS and Unix. | Free |
| Podium | An easy to use program for recording, annotating and posting 'podcasts' on the internet. Pupils can then listen to and download the podcasts to their MP3 players. | From £59 |
| Dolphin Publisher | For recording and creating Daisy type 1 (audio only) or type 2 (synchronised text-and-audio) books. | From £695 |
