Podcasting Mics

Amaranth owns two YETI Blue microphones for high quality audio recording. We have tested the microphones and found that the sound quality is indistinguishable from that of the audio recording booths in Zimmerman Library.

Supporting Podcasts

We offer support for students and instructors interested in recording and posting podcasts. Come talk to us about the possibilities!

Software Options for Recording Audio

The easiest way to record audio is to use an app on an iPhone or Android phone, although this option results in lower quality audio. Here are some quick steps for each:

iPhone

• Use the built-in app called Voice Memos
• Tap the red button to start and stop the recording
• Share via AirDrop, or cloud storage

Android

• Use the Recorder app
• This app starts recording when you tap the large button at the bottom center
• Tap the stop button to end the recording
• Tap the three dots at the upper right to open up the menu where you can share the recording to cloud storage

You will get better quality audio if you use the YETI mics in the Amaranth Studio or in the recording booths at Zimmerman Library. Read further for more information about how to use them.

The Mac workstations and the PC laptop in the Amaranth studio all have Audacity installed. The Mac workstations also have Garage Band.

Recording on Audacity

After just a little practice getting used to the basic controls on Audacity, it is a very user friendly application. Here are a few tips:

• Check that the YETI mic as the recording input device is correctly connected by clicking on the Audio Setup button in the top row of controls
• If the sound is recording at too high a volume, adjust the Gain dial on the back of the microphone
• Click in the middle of an audio clip and then use Control+i to divide that clip into two parts
• To remove verbal pauses, drag the cursor over a portion of an audio clip to select it for deletion and then hit the Delete key
• Drag and drop audio files into Audacity after downloading them from Creative Commons sites like Pixabay

Getting Started with Audacity

When using Audacity for the first time, a few dialog boxes will appear that you can click past. The screenshots below come from a first-time use of the Audacity app on one of the Mac workstations in the Amaranth Studio.

When prompted to allow use of the microphone, click Allow.

It is ok to click past the checks for app updates by closing the box or clicking Skip.

If you get a Plugin error, you can click Continue.

Lastly, you will get a Welcome dialog box offering videos on what’s new in the latest version. It is ok to close this box or click Ok.

Audacity Tutorial Video

For more tips and a general orientation to Audacity, watch the below video.