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Did you know that National Storytelling week runs from the 31st January to the 7th February? Well neither did I until I had an email from the Storytelling Society!

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As we all tell stories one way or another I thought it might be fun to take part so I’ve written an article on how to create AUDIO stories which you will be able to add to your Personal blog or the Arena if you prefer.

The site has had the capacity to play audio files for quite a while which is currently under used so this will be a good opportunity to try a different medium.

You can upload re-tellings of traditional stories, for instance those of the Brothers Grimm, your own original stories or narrative verse, e.g. verse that tells a story, think Albert and the Lion for a humorous example!

You can create an audio file in a number of different ways. The tutorial that follows is just one. (If you know how to create an audio file go straight to the bottom for instructions on how to add the file to your blog post).

HOW TO CREATE AN AUDIO MP3 FILE
Audio files can be created in a variety of different file formats, but we’re using MP3 as it is particularly suited to web broadcasting and is the only one our site allows.

You will need:

1. Suitable software
2. A computer to run it
3. A microphone to record

SOFTWARE
Lots of this available but we’re going to use Audacity. This is an excellent programme that is easy to use and gives very good results. It is also free!

Your first task is to download it from here:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Make sure that you download the correct version for your computer set up. In most cases it will be Windows or Mac.

Very important! To create MP3 files with Audacity you must also download and install the LAME MP3 encoder. You will see the download link for it on the same page as the Audacity download.

HOW TO INSTALL AUDACITY & LAME MP3
Audacity
When you arrive at the appropriate download page you will see this file:
Audacity 1.2.6 installer

It is an executable file. Just click it and follow the onscreen instructions. (Dead easy!)

Lame Mp3 Encoder
Windows
1. Go to the LAME download page.
2. Under "For Audacity on Windows", left-click on the link "libmp3lame-win-3.98.2.zip" and save the zip folder to anywhere on your computer.
3. When you have finished downloading the ZIP folder, unzip it and save the file lame_enc.dll that it contains to anywhere on your computer.
4. The first time you use the "Export as MP3" command, Audacity will ask you where lame_enc.dll is saved so MAKE A NOTE OF WHERE YOU PUT IT!

Mac OS 9 or X

1. Go to the LAME download page.
2. Click to download either "Lame Library v3.98.2 for Audacity on OSX.dmg" or "LameLib-Carbon.sit", according to your operating system.
3. Double-click the .dmg to extract "Lame Library v3.98.2 for Audacity on OSX.pkg" to Finder, or use Stuffit to extract "LameLib" from the .sit (either of these may happen automatically).
4. Double-click the .pkg to install "libmp3lame.dylib" in /usr/local/lib/audacity, or save "LameLib" anywhere on your computer.
5. The first time you use the "Export as MP3" command, Audacity will ask you where libmp3lame.dylib or LameLib is saved.

RECORDING
You will need a microphone to record your voice. You can pay all kinds of prices but there is no need to splash out on a really expensive model, but it is worth noting that sound quality tends to improve in proportion to price! A unidirectional, dynamic-type microphone is a good option to start with.

Ebay lists microphones at all prices and specifications. Just ensure that you select one that works with your PC or Mac!

When you are ready to record, plug your microphone into your soundcard's mike input. Where you find this will vary depending on your computer spec. On mine it is a little pink socket at the front of my computer.

Launch Windows's Volume Control. You may see the icon, it looks like a loud hailer in the bottom right hand corner of your desk top. If not:

Click: Start
Navigate to: Programs|Accessories|Entertainment|Volume Control
On Volume Control in the upper left hand corner Click: Options and highlight Properties
Select: Recording
Press: OK
Make sure you put a check in the Select box under where it says MIC
The Volume switch can be adjusted using the slider control as you begin to do your recording.

Open Audacity and select New from the File menu.

From the Edit menu select Preferences/Quality
Ensure the bit rate is 32 bit and sample rate is 44100

From Edit menu select Preferences/Audio I/O
Ensure Channels is set to stereo.

Click the Red record button at the top of the task pane and begin speaking.

You can use the other buttons to pause and stop.

You can explore the other menu options to play around with your recording, but for now save your work to an easily remembered place on your computer.

The file will be saved in Audacity’s own file format which is .aup This file can only be read by Audacity. To play it on the web or any other device you need to convert it to a compatible format.

Provided you installed the LAME MP3 encoder correctly you will be able to export a copy of the file as an MP3 or other audio format.

Click File and select Export.

Select MP3 from the options and save.

FURTHER HELP:
The Audacity site has a very good Help section. Most basic questions are answered here:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/faq

Tutorials for optimising and tweaking your recordings can be found here:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/manual-1.2/tutorials.html

ADDING AN AUDIO FILE TO YOUR POSTS
Login to your Back Office and select the Files tab at the top of the page. (Use this for uploading photographs as well). Scroll to the bottom of the page and you will see a small upload form which will allow you to navigate to your own computer to upload your audio file, (or photograph).

4. After the success message click the Write tab and create your post as usual. Put your cursor on the spot where you want the audio file to play then look for SONG ATTACHER at the bottom of the posting form.

Clicking this will give you a list of all the mp3 files you have uploaded. Select the one you want and fill in any other options you’d like to apply.

5. Don’t forget to click SAVE!