Help topic: Advice for recording your message for the second-annual Radio Free Current

It's that time of year again: An entire day programmed by our listeners. Part of the day involves us playing station IDs recorded by out audience. That means you can can tell everyone that they're listening to Radio Free Current.

So you want to get your voice heard for Radio Free Current, but you have no idea where to begin?

There are as many different ways to record audio as there are people who want to record. There are many tutorials exist explaining the step-by-step process of home recording, and while most of these are now specific to podcasting, the same techniques and tools are the same when it comes to simple voice recording.

Don't feel that you need to buy expensive hardware or software to record your message. Below are four helpful links to get you started. We do not endorse any specific products, but we do think that these are a good starting point.

What other resources can you recommend? What lessons have you learned or what tips can you give those new to recording?

• Jake Ludington's MediaBlab - Recording A Podcast
• Voice Recording on a Computer
  
• Beginner's Tutorial for Audacity
• Before You Record

Last year Michael Wells asked The Current's DJs and staff for some recording tips:

• "Imagine that you are speaking to one person only, and that they are not ignoring you. Or imagine that they ARE ignoring you, if that helps you feel better." - Dale Connelly, The Morning Show
• "Always stay at least 3 steps ahead of the game" - Bill Deville, Host
• "Pretend you're talking to a friend who's in the room with you." - Jacquie Fuller, Host
• "I assume everyone listening is exactly like me. Don't apologize for what you love." - Mary Lucia, Host
• "Don't take a huge gulp of soda before you go on the air. You will belch whether or not you mean too. Not that it's ever happened to me..." - Jill Riley, Host
• Steve Seel's Two Laws of Live Radio (since 1991): 1) Never Run to the Microphone and 2) Never Do Math Live on the Air
• "Don't try to change the natural tenor of your voice. Just be natural and confident in your delivery." - Melanie Walker, Music Director
• "Do a little 'Elvis karate move' dance before you turn on the mic." - Brandt Williams, Host

Feel free to post your questions or suggestions here! If you're already recording and interested in submitting your station ID, use this form.

-Julia

________________
Julia Schrenkler
Interactive Producer
Minnesota Public Radio
American Public Media
Objects in Mirror

h/t Michael Wells for info/draft