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Do It Yourself Recordings

 

If you need to record yourself playing an instrument, singing, speaking a foreign language, or just to hear yourself talk, you are in the right place.  Most people already own the technology needed to make recordings like these.   Here are the instructions for recording on a smart phone (Android and iOS) and a Mac (PC will be coming soon).  These instructions are designed for students who will need to upload their recordings to Edmodo, but they may be apllied to a variety of circumstances.  

Android Device

 

Note: You will need to download and install the Google Drive app on your smartphone before you begin. 

 

  1. Download and install the Hi-Q MP3 Rec (Free) voice recorder app from the Google Play Store  (Note: Most Android phones have a voice recorder that comes with them, but it saves an audio file as a wav file instead of mp3.)

 

  1. Open Hi-Q MP3 Rec (Free) and click “Free Trial” to get started.

 

  1. Set the phone down at an appropriate distance from your instrument or mouth.  The best way to figure out the best distance is to do a few test recordings and listen back to each to hear what it sounds like.  Note: If the phone is too close, your recordings will be distorted, too far and they will be too quiet to hear.

 

  1. Push ‘record’ then play, talk, or sing your assignment.  When you are finished, push stop. 

 

  1. The next screen will give you the option to rename your file.  Name it your first initial, last name, underscore, the date (e.g. “JDoe_5-17-13”)

 

  1. Next click on the box (with 3 dots and 3 dashes) in the upper left corner of the screen to open up the folder where your file is saved.  Click on your file and a menu will appear. 

 

  1. Click on ‘share/send’ then ‘Google Drive.’

 

  1. Check to see what folder it will upload to, then click “OK.”  Wait for file to upload, this may take several minutes depending on how long your recording is.

 

  1. Now go to www.edmodo.com and click ‘turn in assignment’ to upload your file (which can be found in your Google Drive).

 

  1. Finally, listen again to make sure it worked, by clicking ‘play’ on your uploaded file in Edmodo.  

iOS Device (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch)

 

  1. Download and install the “MP3 Recorder Free –Vinh Truong” recorder app from the App Store  (Note: iOS phones have a voice recorder that comes with them, but it saves an audio file as an amr or m4a file instead of mp3.)

 

  1. Open MP3 Recorder Free to get started.

 

  1. Set the phone down at an appropriate distance from your instrument or mouth.  The best way to figure out the best distance is to do a few test recordings and listen back to each to hear what it sounds like.  Note: If the phone is too close, your recordings will be distorted, too far and they will be too quiet to hear.

 

  1. Push ‘record’ then play, talk, or sing your assignment.  When you are finished, push stop. 

 

  1. The next screen will give you the option to rename your file.  Name it your first initial, last name, space, the date (e.g. “JBlough 5-17-13”)

 

  1. Next click on the email button towards the top of the screen and email it to yourself.

 

  1. Go to a computer and check your email.  Open up the email and download the attachment.  (Please take note of where you download it.)

 

  1. Now go to www.edmodo.com and click ‘turn in assignment’ to upload your file (which can be found in the folder where you downloaded it). 

 

  1. Finally, listen again to make sure it worked, by clicking ‘play’ on your uploaded file in Edmodo. 

 

 

GarageBand (Mac computers only)

 

  1. Open GarageBand and click on ‘New Project,’ then ‘Acoustic Instrument’

 

  1. Name your project as your first initial, last name, space, the date (e.g. “JBlough 5-17-13”)

 

  1. Test the recording volume.  Make sure you are standing at an appropriate distance from your computer’s microphone.  The best way to figure out the best distance is to do a few test recordings and listen back to each to hear what it sounds like.  Note: If the phone is too close, your recordings will be distorted, too far and they will be too quiet to hear.

 

  1. Push ‘record’ then play, talk, or sing your assignment.  When you are finished, push stop. 

 

  1. Next click on ‘Share’ at the top of the screen.  Then ‘Export Song to Disk.’

 

  1. Click the little box next to ‘Compress’, then choose ‘Compress using’ ‘mp3 encoder’

 

  1. Wait for it to finish; this may take several minutes depending on how long your recording is.

 

  1. Now go to www.edmodo.com and click ‘turn in assignment’ to upload your file (which will most likely be found in your ‘Music’ folder. 

 

  1. Finally, listen again to make sure it worked by clicking ‘play’ on your uploaded file in Edmodo. 

 

 

 

Music Department, Natomas Charter School Performing and Fine Arts Academy

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