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Digital Media

Handheld Recording Basics

The first step in creating a podcast is finding or recording audio. We'll talk more about this in the Mac and PC tutorials, but taking a minute to learn a few things about recording devices and the iTunes import process can smooth out the project later.

If you plan to record audio into an iPod with a mic attachment or a handheld digital recorder (both available for checkout from the ITC; call 974-9670), importing to iTunes is a logical next step. If you plan to record straight into your computer using an embedded or attached microphone, you can skip ahead to the Mac or PC tutorials.

Recording to an iPod with MicroMemo Mic Attachment

1. Plug the iPod into your computer. iTunes should check to make sure all of your iPod and iTunes software is up to date. Eject and unplug the iPod.


2. To record, attach the microphone and navigate to Voice Memos in the iPod interface. Click to begin recording. Start and stop as necessary.


3. When done, plug the iPod into the computer. iTunes should sense the presence of new microphone recordings and ask if you want to move them onto your computer. Accept.


4. If iTunes doesn't mention the recordings, find your iPod in the left menu of iTunes. Click the arrow next to the name of your iPod to see its contents. Look for Voice Memos. Files are named by date, so look for the date you made the recordings. If you don't already have a playlist called Voice Memos in iTunes, create one. Then drag the recordings from where they're listed in your iPod to your Voice Memo playlist.
   
   Note: if you have already imported the files onto another computer, your iPod may not allow you to import them to a second computer. This is an iTunes security "feature". The files can be obtained from the other computer by putting them on a thumb drive or CD.


5. Follow the directions below for converting your files to MP3s.

Other Mic Attachments for iPods

Expect a similar experience. Be sure the iPod and iTunes software are updated first, follow the directions for recording audio, and find your recorded files afterwards by connecting your iPod and clicking the arrow next to its name in the iTunes left menu.

Recording to an Olympus Voice Recorder

1. Charge or replace the battery (AAA).


2. To turn on the recorder, slide the Hold button to the lower position. Press the OK button (in the large circle on the front). Be sure the Music/Voice button (on the side) is set to Voice.


3. Check to be sure you have enough time remaining. The time may be displayed on the screen, or you may need to by hold down the Stop button on the right side.


4. The Olympus has five internal folders: A, B, C, D, and E. Move between them by pressing Folder/Index on the front. When you've selected a folder, begin recording by pressing the Record button on the side. When finished, press Stop. Repeat for multiple recordings. To play back, use the forward and back arrows on the silver circle to navigate to the file you wish to hear, then press Play.


5. The main benefit of this particular recorder is that it doesn't require a cable. Just press the Release button on the back and connect it to your computer like any other USB device. On a PC, select "Open folder to view files" in the pop-up window. On a Mac, look on the desktop or in the Finder for a new Untitled device. Then, on both, look for folders that end in A-E, like the folders on the device. Find the folder that you recorded to and drag the files to your desktop. Disconnect the recorder. (On a Mac, eject the device before disconnecting. Drag the desktop icon to the trash, or go to the Finder and click the Eject button next to the name of the device.)


6. On a PC, open iTunes and go to File > Import. Find the files from the recorder, select them, and click Open. Follow the directions below for converting the files to MP3.
   
   On a Mac, we'll be using a different strategy. The Mac version of iTunes doesn't convert WMA files to MP3, so we'll be using Switch. Download, install, and open the software. On the desktop, place all of the files you want to convert into a single folder. In Switch, click Add Folder and find the folder. Click Choose. Use Browse Folder to select an output folder for the converted files. Be sure Output Format is set to .mp3. Click Convert. Open iTunes and go to File > Import. Find the converted files and click Choose. Because your files are already in MP3 format, you don't need to convert them again. You're ready to move on.

Important: Using iTunes to Convert Your Files to MP3s

There are several audio file types out there, but MP3s can be edited in nearly any editing software and played on nearly all audio devices. So using iTunes to convert your files to MP3 will provide huge benefits down the road. (Some recording devices will create an MP3 for you, but most create WAV or AIF files. (If yours creates WMA files and you use a Mac, see step 6 above.)

1. To convert your files in iTunes, go to Edit > Preferences (On a Mac, go to iTunes > Preferences). In the menu at the top of the Preferences panel, choose Advanced, then Importing. Choose Import Using: MP3 Encoder. Click OK.


2. In the left menu, under LIBRARY or PLAYLISTS, navigate to the files you want to convert. Shift-click to select multiple files, then right-click (or control-click on a Mac) and choose Convert selection to MP3. iTunes will duplicate the file, and the new file will be an MP3. To see which is which, right-click and choose Get Info. Look for "MPEG-1 layer 3" or ".mp3" listed in the Summary.

Now that you've set your preferences, you can go straight to step 2 when converting files in the future. Note: CDs will now be converted automatically when imported.

Your files are ready for audio editing or inclusion in an enhanced or video podcast. You can get started on building a podcast of your own by going to the audio, enhanced, or video tutorials for Mac, or the audio, enhanced, or video tutorials for PC.