How do you create an audio file?

Question

Level 1

19 points

How do you create an audio file?

I'm interested in podcasting, but first, how you do get an audio file on the computer? I have an e- mac 10.2.8. Do I have to get something on a cd? If so, how is that done? I've only recorded my poetry on tapes.
Do I get a speaker, attach it to one of the ports, & speak directly into that? Help would be appreciated.

e-mac, Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Posted on Nov 18, 2005 10:21 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Scott Squires1

Level 3

915 points

Nov 21, 2005 5:28 PM in response to Linda Lerner

QT 7 has record features

You have a built in micrtophone so you shoudl be able to record directly.
If you want to go from a tape to your mac connect the earphone out to the audio input connector on your mac.

See this for more info:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=34880

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Answer 2

Nov 22, 2005 11:27 PM in response to Linda Lerner

According to the docs the eMac has a built in microphone. Small hole in center top or bottom of monitor.

Under sound panel select built in mic for input. Speak and see if there's any response on the sound levels. Adjust if you can.
Download Audacity or other free/shareware sound recording application.
Start it up and start recording. Start talking. Save file when done.

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Answer 3

Nov 22, 2005 9:21 AM in response to Linda Lerner

As long as you have an audio recording programing of some type you don't need QT 7. Just connect your tape player and go to the soudn control to change input and set levels.
Start up your audio application and record it.
You could also just re-record your voice directly into the computer since it has a built in mic.

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Answer 4

Dec 2, 2005 4:55 PM in response to Linda Lerner

iTunes can convert your files to MP3. You don't need anything else. You just need to know how to set the conversion controls in iTunes.

In iTunes 6, go to iTunes:Preferences and click on the Advanced tab. Click on the Importing tab under that. Set it for the MP3 compression format you want. From the Import Using menu, select MP3.

From the Setting menu, choose Custom... and then 64kbps, 22KHz, mono. Click OK and OK again.

Then drag your AIFF file to iTunes. Control-click on the file and choose "Convert to MP3."

Viola, and MP3 file.

Once you have done this, however, you MUST go back to the iTunes preferences as above and set things back to AAC encoder at High Quality, 128kbps. Otherwise, when you rip new music to iTunes from your CDs, it will convert them into podcast quality, which sounds horrible for music.

Come to the GarageBand 2 discussion forum if you have more questions.

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Answer 5

Gary G.

Level 2

225 points

Nov 19, 2005 7:53 AM in response to Linda Lerner

I wrote you yesterday I guess it messed up OK. There is a couple ways to record audio ther is a lot of freeware apps that can help . I guess you dont have Garage band?, What about Quicktime(quciktime has a record feature)There is this app for free Audiocorder OSX if you want a steo by steo let me know and I will find ioir give you the easiest dierction I can

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Answer 6

Dec 2, 2005 4:39 PM in response to Linda Lerner

First off, start hanging out at the Apple GarageBand 2 discussion forum.

GarageBand is for recording audio, and iTunes is not.

http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=933

Read this FAQ on home recording from a fellow GarageBand guru:

http://www.thehangtime.com/gb/gbfaq2.html

Check out these hardware-and-software packages:

Griffin iMic

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic2/index.php

M-Audio Podcast Factory

http://m-audio.com/products/en_us/PodcastFactory-main.html

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Answer 7

Nov 23, 2005 6:44 AM in response to Gary G.

Just a quick additional note:

For anyone that has one, the microphone in the iSight camera works very nicely with both QuickTime and Audio Recorder. Excellent quality.

Matt

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Answer 8

Nov 23, 2005 8:20 PM in response to Linda Lerner

You can get the cable from Radioshack. It's a mini to mini plug I believe.

Trun up the input sound and see if there's a level control of some type. Tap on the monitor and see if you can see a response.
In audacity check to see if it's responding to the mic.
You may have to bite the bullet and read the manual for your mac and audacity or simply select help in the top manual.

One downside to the iSight camera is you can't record into GarageTunes. Works fien to record independently though.

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Answer 9

Dec 2, 2005 4:47 PM in response to Linda Lerner

Here's a good article for you to read:

Beginner's Guide to Podcast Creation

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Answer 10

Linda Lerner Author

Level 1

19 points

Nov 19, 2005 4:31 PM in response to Gary G.

thank you so much for answering. Yes, I have quick time, but what I don't understand is how do I get my reading the poems on there? Do I speak into some kind of mike that i have to buy? This may sound ridiculous, but I haven't the vaguest idea. A lot of writers are getting involved in podcasting, & I'd like to submit part of a reading I gave. I have it on tape, & can easily make tapes of reading, then what?

(don't think I've ever used quick time, but upgraded it recently.)

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Answer 11

Linda Lerner Author

Level 1

19 points

Nov 21, 2005 10:03 AM in response to Gary G.

I have quicktime 6.5.2 but I didn't see any recordering aspect, so I checked audiocorder, as you suggested, & found it but I'm still not clear on how to directly record, or to get what i have on tapes into an audio file to be used for podcasting. I have a sony tape recorder, that has a plug in power & a place for ear phones.
Linda

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Answer 12

Linda Lerner Author

Level 1

19 points

Nov 22, 2005 9:02 AM in response to Scott Squires1

Thank you very much. The article was very helpful & now I understand how
to connect my recorder to the computer. I'll need to get a cable to do it...

But, I have quick time 6.5.2 & got a message from softwear update to go to 6.5.3 Since I have 10.2.8 I'm not sure that I can upgrade to qt 7.

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Answer 13

Linda Lerner Author

Level 1

19 points

Nov 22, 2005 2:51 PM in response to Scott Squires1

Ok, I've been reading up on this & understand how to connect my tape recorder to the emac (as soon as I buy a cable) I don't think I have an audio recording program, so, I checked out audiocorder on the internet--i assume that's what you mean. Getting it is easy enough, & you can try it out first.
I don't see how I can "re-record your voice directly into the computer since it has a built in mic. " What would I be speaking into? I was going to make a tape & then do it that way?

I really appreciate all the help I've been given--

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Answer 14

Linda Lerner Author

Level 1

19 points

Nov 23, 2005 6:28 AM in response to Scott Squires1

I did what you suggested & found the sound panel & there is a built in mic--when I press imput, it said to choose a device for sound imput.
Since my voice didn't come through, I assume I would need one of those recording devices you mentioned. (I have the free quick time--that that work for audio or is it only for movies?)

and a final question-- I was about to go to the apple store to get a cable,to connect my tape recorder to the computer, but I read that apple plain talkdoes not use a standard 3.5 mini stereo mini plug & cannot be used with e-mac sound. they say to select the tape recorder & click sound then use a sound recording appl to record. But, don't I still need to connect the tape recorder to the computer with some kind of cable? (and if I do that can it still be saved to send , perhaps, as an e-mail attachment? (I'm trying to be able tos end some of the poetry readings I've given to my editors who are involved with pod casting.

Thanks in advance....

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Answer 15

Linda Lerner Author

Level 1

19 points

Nov 23, 2005 10:51 AM in response to Matthew Morgan

What is the i sight camera?
I tried downloading audacity, & it kept timing out or i got a message that it wouldn't mount. audio corder seems to cost 19.00--isn't free.
Do you think it's worth it? You can try it out first.

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