Instructions for creating MP3 audio recording and playing

Install on student Win2K/XP box

1. Download audacity-win-1.2.3.exe from Installable Software (rt click-Save link as). For Mac users go to Audacity download page and get the OS-X version)
2. Download lame-3.96.zip from the same place as above (Mac users find the Lame download on the Audacity site).
3. Install Audacity to the default directory. Don't launch.
4. Unzip lame and extarct to c:\program files\audacity. Make sure to use the 'folders' option to expand into sub-directories.

Getting going

1. Plug in the headset (either to USB port or with separate Mic IN/headphones OUT jack). If you are using your own headset make sure it is 'noise cancelling' to eliminate background noise.
   
2. Adjust windows audio properties so that you can hear yourself speak
3. Make sure that the MUTE is switched off.

Configure Audacity

• File Formats
  MP3 Export Setup. (for initila setup on student m/c -- this has already been configured in the Lab) Click Find Library. Locate lame_enc.dll -- you'll find it in the default audacity folder and it'll be immediately visible.. Open. Choose deafult bitrate (suggest 128)
• Quality.
  Default samp[le rate for spoken audio 16,000 Hx (16 KHz) is fine.
• Directories.
  Leave on C: unless you have space on H:. This means that you'll have to come back to this particular Lab m/c to re-edit your audacoty project.
• Audio I/O.
  Choose USB headset for input and output unless you're using a headset with jacks in which case choose the sound driver, such as Creative Audio.
  Channels (2) Stereo.

Record

1. Press the Record button and say a few words to make sure you're recording. Close the temp recording. If nothing gets recorded check the MUTE on the headset.
   
2. Click the record button and start reading from your printed project.
3. You can stop recording after each section and select and delete blunders such as 'ums' and 'ers' and 'o, f...'
   Before starting again, click at the end of the recording.
4. Press record again and a new track will be created underneath the exisiting one aligned at the end.
5. Repeat until you have finished.
6. Select File -> Save Project (not Save As). This will save to C: as mentioned above.
7. Select File -> Export As MP3. Fill in the tags. Make sure to add your name to the filename so I know who it belongs to. Save to H: and copy to T:
8. Open up Moodle, login. Go to Upload Podcast Wiki.
9. Click Attachments tab and Browse to your file and click File Upload.
10. File may not (probably will not appear). Don't panick. Select Choose Wiki Links -> File Download and you'll see it there.
11. I'll download the file from here and add it to my class podcast.

Play Podcasts

The easiest s/w to use is iTunes. If you don't already have it, the latest version 6.01 for windows is in Installable Software

1. browse to my blog : http://www.earlham.edu/%7Emarkp/CS182_blog/
2. you'll find a cool looking button on the right hand side under the podcasts section called Digital Media.
3. Right-click on this and choose Copy Link Location (using Firefox)
   [with Internet Exploder you'll have to click on the link and then copy the address from the new window since IE doesn't have a 'copy link location' function]
4. Now start up iTunes (or your favourite podcast player, perhaps, ipodder). You'll need iTunes v 4.9 or higher to play podcasts.
5. Select Advanced -> Subscribe to podcast
6. Paste in the link that you just copied with ctrl-V
7. Click OK.
8. The first podcast (mine) will be loaded automatically and you can then 'get' the other three.