How to Record a Lecture on a Laptop

Many external microphones come with a stand so you don't have to hold the mic.

Your laptop's Universal Serial Bus port lets you connect a variety of devices, including an external microphone. A USB microphone, along with an audio recording package, lets you record podcasts, speeches and even lectures without the need to connect an audio preamp. An audio preamp is a device that enhances sound quality during a recording session. USB microphones include a preamp component that enhances audio immediately. The microphones are available for purchase at computer and electronics stores as well as online.

Things You'll Need

• USB microphone
• Audio recording software: Audacity or similar program
• Microphone stand: desktop or freestanding (optional)

Instructions

1. Insert the USB microphone's CD-ROM disc in your laptop's CD or DVD drive. The installation program will launch automatically. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation process.

2. Connect the microphone's USB connector to any available USB port on the side or back of your laptop when prompt by the installation wizard. Click "Finish" when prompted.

3. Open an audio recording program such as the free Audacity software.

4. Sit as close as possible to the microphone. Place it on a desktop or freestanding microphone stand, if desired, or prop it on a stack of books.

5. Click the "Record" icon, a red circle on the timeline at the top or bottom of your audio recording program's screen, to start recording the lecture.

6. Click the "Stop" icon, a box shape on the timeline, to stop recording the lecture. Click "File" and "Save Project," "Save As" or similar wording to save the audio file to your laptop for playback later.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have an audio recording program on your computer, navigate your laptop's Internet browser to audacity.sourceforge.net/ and click the "Download Audacity" link. Follow the on-screen prompts to save and install the program. The program is free and runs on any Windows and Mac system.

• You cannot use your laptop's built-in microphone, if one is available. Internal microphones do not contain a audio preamp component and won't be able to pick up audio from a distance like an external USB microphone can.

References

• LearnOutLoud.com: Recording a Lecture or Seminar
• NCSU: Recording Your Lectures -- A Recipe

Resources

• Audacity: The Free, Cross-Platform Sound Editor
• PcMus: Audio Recording Tips