Sound recording and converting it into a audio file has become so easy. In this article I am going to give you a step wise instruction on- how you can make an audio file on a PC or a notebook which has MS Windows installed in it.
Things you'll need
You will need to have the three things mentioned below, installed on your computer.
1. Sound Card
2. Speakers
3. Microphone
Step Wise Instructions for Windows Operating Systems 3.1 and Above
Step 1. Get a computer microphone and plug its cord in the jack located at the rear of your CPU (you will find the symbol of a Mic on the back panel). If you are using a laptop, then you can insert the microphone cord in the audio jack provided on its circumference.
Step 2. Click on 'Start' and then select option 'Accessories'.
Step 3. After clicking on the Accessories option, select 'Entertainment' and then click on 'Sound Recorder'.
Step 4. You will now see a little pop up of the sound recorder software. Click on the option 'Start Recording'. This sound recorder will record a clip of only a minute at a time. To continue recording, the moment 1 minute of recording is over, click on 'Start Recording' again and it will continue recording from where you stopped.
Tip: Keep your mouth two to three inches away from the receiver and to avoid the distortion in the sound recorded, cover the mic with a blanket sheet.
Step 5. To stop recording click on 'Stop Recording'.
Or
If you don't want to stop recoding, then click on 'Cancel', then click on 'Resume Recording' and then finally click on 'Stop Recording'.
Step 6. There is a slider bar option which will help you in go forward and reverse in a song.
Step 7. You can also use the option 'Effects' to add sound effects to your sound clip.
Step 8. You can click on the 'Edit' tab for more edit options. You can mix two songs, give echo, increase and decrease the volume and the tempo.
Step 9. Now it's time to save the file. The moment you click on the Stop Recording option Windows will prompt you a 'save as' option.
Step 10. Give a 'File name' and select 'Save'. This will save the recorded sound in the form of an audio file.
In case you are using Windows Vista Home Basic N or Windows Vista Business N then the steps followed for sound recording are a little different.
1. After clicking on the accessories option you directly find the option 'Sound Recording'.
2. You don't have the forward and the reverse options, also the tab of 'Effects' and 'Edit' will not be available.
3. The only advantage it has is that you can continue recording for as long as you want.
Saved File Types
1. Windows Media Audio
File Name Extension: .wma
Bit Rate: 96 Kbps (kilobits per second)
Size: 11 Kbps in kilobits per second
2. WAVE form audio format
File Name Extension: .wav
Bit Rate: 96 Kbps (kilobits per second)
Size: 1,378 Kbps in kilobits per second
By default a recorded audio clip is saved as a Windows Media Audio (WMA) file. However, if you are using Windows Vista Home Basic N or Windows Vista Business N, then your recorded sound clip will be saved as a WMA file. You can later convert the WMA and WAV files into MP3 files too.
Now that you have all the 'steps to follow' ready, get started and make your own audio file. This way you will be able to record and re-record each time you make a mistake thus improving whatever you have in mind.
