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Audio Recording

Learn the basics of audio recording for music and podcasting purposes.

Welcome

Welcome to the audio recording section of the Erie County Public Library Idea Lab Maker Guides. This guide was created to help beginners learn more about audio recording for music or podcasting purposes. 

With a valid library card, you can reserve the Media Lab at the Blasco branch of the Erie County Public Library. The Media Lab has microphones, a channel mixer, and a design computer with audio editing software. A full list of equipment and software can be found in the policies and procedures tab. 

If you are new to audio recording we suggest you make your way through the tabs above before continuing. If you have some knowledge of recording explore the tabs on the left of the screen. 

Ready to get recording? 

 

Learning resources on this Maker Guide:

Audio Software - connects you to information about DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations). Becoming comfortable with a DAW is the first step with any kind of audio recording.

Podcasting Basics - contains information on how to start a podcast, how to record a podcast using different DAWs and more. 

Music Recording Basics - music recording tips, microphone information and more. 

Projects - offers a few beginner level projects to help you get started. 

Classes - connects you to online classes. 

Books - displays items we have available at our library.

 

If you want to learn how to record music or a podcast, you need to become familiar with a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). We recommend Audacity for beginners. The link to download this software is below. 

 

Now that you have a software, it is time to learn how to use it. We have two options to learn about this software, a video option and a written option. We recommend looking over at least one of these options before continuing to the project tab. 

Option 1 - Video (Duration: 15min) 

 

Option 2 - Written Guides 

Instructions

1. Choose one of your favorite things to talk about. (Example: a book, a movie, a food, etc) 

2. Record yourself introducing the topic. Just say the name of the topic. (Example: Strawberry Ice Cream) 

3. Record a second sound clip saying a few things about your topic. 

4. Complete the following editing tasks

  • Remove the background noise
  • Delete any unnecessary audio from the beginning and end of the sound clips. 
  • Edit the volume of the clips to be between the -10 to -6 decibel range. 
  • Copy and paste the intro clip to the end of the project.

5. Export the audio clip. 

The following is a step-by-step tutorial on how to complete this project.

Congratulations!

You have finished our quick intro to audio recording. Wondering what to do next? Here are a few suggestions. 

  • Try out more beginner level projects available on our projects page. 

  • Check out more audio software, podcasting basics, or music recording basics for resources in each of these areas.

  • Head over to our class page to see what free classes are available online.

  • Take a look at the books section to see what items the library has available.