Transcript
SPEECH RECORDING TIPS Smart phone audio recording apps Most smartphones have a built-in audio recorder app. On iOS (Apple iPhone) it is the ‘Voice Memos’ app and on Android it is ‘Voice Recorder’ app.
Microphone check
Locate the microphone on your phone. Most are located at the bottom of a smart phone near the headphone jack and speaker, however, refer to your manual if unsure. Switch your phone to ‘Flight mode’ to ensure your recording won’t be interrupted by any phone calls. Select the highest audio setting available in your Audio app (HD quality with 32bit depth is desirable). Angle the microphone so that it points towards your mouth at a distance of 10-15cm.
Clean sound
Find a quiet location. We recommend you find a comfortable spot indoors. Move away from areas with background sounds such as: people talking, construction work, air conditioning vents, machine noises, electronics such as fridges and fluorescent lights. Avoid large spaces where your voice might echo and reverberate.
Prepare
Print your script in large font size so it’s easy to read. Make a space between each line and break each sentence into a paragraph. Holding your phone in one hand and a piece of paper to read from in the other is tricky. Place the paper on a stand or on a table. Practise reading your speech out loud. Change words that you stumble over. Mark up where you will breathe and pause, and also which words you will emphasise.
Recording
Tap ‘Record’ and count to 10 in your head before speaking. Slow down. It is not a race, be careful not to rush! Go at your natural pace. Don't be scared to leave in silence. Silence allows your story to breathe. If you stumble over a word or mess up a line - don’t stop recording. Just pause, take a breath and go back to the start of the sentence or paragraph and read through again. Find your natural voice - the best audio stories are the ones that don't sound as though they’re read from a script. Take your time, imagine you are talking to a friend. When you finish reading your story, count to 10 in your head again then tap ‘Stop record’.
Post production
Export your audio to a desktop computer or email it from within the voice recorder app.
