For thosewho are computer savvy I have a ?

**mommy4ever** · 02-11-2011, 10:59 AM

I'm looking to record my own audio books for my dd7. We are learning another language, and foreign language books alone are expensive, never mind something that comes with a cd.

I'm trying to figure out the most cost effective way to do so, but that has a reasonable sound quality to it. I would like a decent sound quality, as others have asked to use what I'm creating, even offering donations toward the project, though I'm not sure I even want to do that..... Plus if it's poor quality, dd won't enjoy it.

There are 2 options that I can see.

A digital voice recorder. Some can be exported as mp3, this is good, as I can put it on the mp3 player for her. It is limited to just recording, but is simple and portable to do where ever, such as waiting at a piano lesson in the vehicle. But I'm not sure how quality of this is.

Headset with mic or mic alone with software, such as open source software like Audacity. Headset would work for voice recognition software if we ever progressed to Rosetta stone or something, works for their online workshops too, but their netbooks have a built in mic for that, not a big plus. Not as portable, but with the netbook it could be.

Any suggestions?

**MomToTwoBoys** · 02-11-2011, 01:37 PM

DH thought of getting DS12 a digital voice recorder before. I have a voice recorder on my iPod Touch, but those are expensive (they start out at $279 for the smallest one).

What about a voice recording software? You can check CNet or this site:

Voice Recording Software - Digital Computer Voice Recorder

**mommy4ever** · 02-11-2011, 01:43 PM

I was wondering about the itouch. I have enough aeroplan miles to get one(free). But I dont' know enough about it

I would love to know all it can do, beyond music and little games.

I did stop at the Futureshop and talk to them. I ended up going with a Headset. He recommended it over the recorder as the recorder can pick up even your breathing. I had to pay $2.49 for it, as I had a gift card for there. He did say it is more versatile, can use it for Skype, elive seminars etc. Not as convenient for spelling words or something, but with planning it does even more and will do at least what I want it to do.

**xtena** · 02-11-2011, 03:21 PM

'We are learning....' Are you not already fluent in this language yourself? Are you able to pronounce the words like a native speaker and read aloud with a fluent, near-native rhythm and speed? If not, you may not be doing your daughter any favors by recording your own books, and would be better of searching for materials through the library or online. I taught English in a university in China many years back. Many of my students were incomprehensible, through no fault of their own, because their own English teachers,and their teachers' teachers, had never actually spoken with or heard an actual native speaker before.

If you are fluent, good luck and all the power to you!

**mommy4ever** · 02-11-2011, 03:32 PM

I took all my schooling until 11th grade and live in a bilingual community. I can read as a native speaker, and have a clear unaccented speech. Conversationally, I'm a little slow, as I'm out of practice.

I speak better than some of the instructors I've had, and better than nearly ALL the instructors my kids have had. I'm just a little rusty on grammar and conversational skills. I'm brushing up now, and will take an advanced class in a couple months. So it's not a stretch that I instruct my kids. My grandparents didn't speak English and grandma was my childcare provider while growing up, and was my best friend as a teen. So I'd say I'm qualified

**shoiji** · 02-11-2011, 04:18 PM

I have used Windows Vista to record basic dictation. Was able to copy it to a disk. Probably would be able to copy the information to whatever you want to. So if you have windows vista might be something to look into. Already had a microphone so that might be the only additional equipment you might need.

**MsMarieH** · 02-17-2011, 12:43 PM

I have recorded a number of stories using a microphone headset and audacity. It's very easy to use and works well. After I save it as an .mp3 in audacity, I use a free software called mp3tweak to compress it down. Takes a 20 MB file down to like 2MB. Works great.