recording stories on CD

[sj_lau]

Hello....

I write short stories and wanted to put them on audio CDs (basically the "book on tape" concept gone digital).

I wanted to ask for some help getting started. At this point, I'm just trying to record myself reading my story (no corny musical interludes as of yet), so that I can burn it to a CD and make copies.

Hopefully there's a pretty simple, inexpensive way to do this, otherwise I may have to resort to my tape recorder!!!

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer....

 

[Stealthtech]

You can use your current stock audio card.
Get a demo version of a multi-track recorder {a simple one} Free !
Get a descent mic for vocals
Write your files at 16 bit .wav
Burn to CD

 

[HogansHiro]

They key for straight voice is a good mic....you're gonna want to be sure you get the clarity of your normal voice.....there are plenty of cheap mics out there that will discolor your voice by subtly muffling it or adding a "can" effect to it. Most decent music stores will let you try out a mic before you buy it... if you can I suggest you get a large diaghram microphone and a phantom supply unit to power it.

 

[deadleafecho]

Well......define inexpensive......
Studio Projects B1 mic-nice neutral condensor mic,80bucks, couple with an Audio buddy mic pre, nother 80bucks.
160 bucks and youll have decent clarity(contingent upon your sound card) thats about as cheap as i can see without going the radio shack garbage route....

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo SJ:

Short stories can be long short stories and you only have 70 minutes per CD. [I like to leave room on the CD.]

You can rent a good mic, put your story down on tape, and have someone remaster your tape into 16 bit.


Since you are "only" dealing with your voice, there won't be any mixing problema. You just need to make sure your voice is clear and you are articulate.

If this project is just for your own enjoyment with your friends, the above will work fine. If you decide to do one for mass production, go to a studio for the frills.

Green Hornet

 

[sj_lau]

Wow, thanks for the info! It sounds like what I need to do is get myself a decent mic.

I have noticed that my "short" stories are starting to get kind of long--the last one topped out at 42 pages! which works out to about 2 hours of straight reading.... Right now, I'm just getting started, but I eventually plan to bundle some CDs with the book version of my short story collection, so I'd like to be able to learn to do it on my own (even if I eventually go to a studio to get it done -- maybe to add in some "la la" riffs in the background).

If you guys have any specific recommendations as to equipment or demo programs (in addition to the ones already mentioned), I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks again for the help.