Microphone: Most modern personal computers include internal microphones and video cameras which, for example, may be used for communication via Skype. Older computers usually have audio input sockets.

Software: Audacity® is free, open-source, cross-platform software for recording and editing sound. Download. Install by dragging the downloaded Audacity folder to your Applications folder or other location you prefer and will be able to find later.

Open the Audacity folder and double click on the Audacity application.
Widen the opened Audacity window by dragging its lower right corner to the right.

Record a trial sound: Click the brown round Record button in the upper left part of the Audacity window. Using the level of voice you wish for your recording, speak a few words and verify the microphone connection by watching the waveform of your sound appear in the window.
Adjust the Record volume slider, if necessary, to see the waveform well.
Click the square Stop button to stop recording.
Listen to your sound: Click the green arrow Play Button to listen.
Adjust the Play volume slider if necessary to hear well. Allow the recording to finish or press the square Stop button to stop playback.
From the Edit dropdown menu, select Remove Audio and Delete to delete your trial sound.

Record your submission: Note that if you have more than one piece to read, you may simply pause a few seconds between pieces, or you may click on the leftmost Pause button, turn pages to the next piece and click on the Pause button again when you are ready.
Place the text in front of you. Imagine the audience if you wish.
Click on the brown round Record button. Read your work. Use the Pause button between pieces if you wish.
Click on the square Stop button to stop recording when you are done reading.

Export as AIFF file: Choose Export from the File dropdown menu. Type in your desired filename. Select the location where you would like to store it. Select AIFF format. Click.
If you wish an mp3 file, you may have to download LAME following the Audacity instructions.

Open the file in iTunes by double clicking: (Don’t have iTunes? Download, scroll down looking on left side to see link: Get iTunes for Windows).
When it opens in iTunes, the recording will play for you.
Click on Music under LIBRARY on the left side of the iTunes window. Find your recording file in the list displayed and select it if necessary by clicking on it.
From the File dropdown menu, select New Playlist from Selection.

Burn the Disc: Slide a blank CD into the CD slot.
Select from the File dropdown menu: Burn Playlist to Disc
On the window that opens up, select Format: Audio CD.
Click Burn. Watch the burning progress bar at the top of the iTunes window. When it finishes, you can eject the CD by dragging it to the Trash.

Play the CD on your CD player.

Label the CD with a felt tip pen. Enclose in a plastic CD case for protection. Mail in an appropriate padded mailer, perhaps with cardboard backing.

Problem? Call Len Anderson at 831-464-8983 or a competent friend.

Mail entire submission to: