How to Convert a Voice Recording to MP3
You may have a collection of voice recordings that you can't play on your MP3 player because of the format in which they were recorded. You can convert any voice recording stored on your computer to MP3, but you need a program to make the conversion. You can download free programs from the internet - several are available. One is called Switch, and you can use it for Windows or Mac OS X. You can also use it to convert MP3 files to other formats.
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Instructions
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Go to NCH software site and the Switch access page at http://www.nch.com.au/switch/screenshots.html.
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Click on the red "Download Now" button on the upper right of the page. Follow the download instructions until the download is completed.
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Open the switch program and click on "File" in the upper left corner of the program window.
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Click "Open" and browse through your computer to make a list of your voice recordings, or any other recording you may want to convert.
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From your compiled list of recordings, highlight the one you want to convert to MP3.
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In the "Output Folder" window, select the folder where you want to save the converted file.
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From the "Output Format" drop down menu, select ".mp3."
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Click on the "Encoder Options" button and from the "MP3 Options" window select "Joint" channels and select "Variable Bitrate" with a "Minimum Bitrate" of "32," a "Maximum Bitrate" or "128" and a "Quality" of "4." Click on "OK" to set the options and close the "Encoder Options" window.
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Click on the "Options" button of the Switch program main menu. The options window will appear. From the "Overwrite" tap select "Append number to filename" and enter "%filename%-%number%." On the "Conversions" tap, select "Convert anyway" and "Ignore Error and Continue Converting Other Files." You may select other options if you wish. Click "OK" at the bottom of the "Options" window to set the options and close the window.
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In the Switch main menu window, click on "Convert" in the lower right hand corner. The program will convert your voice recording to MP3 and store it in the folder you selected.
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Tips & Warnings
More elaborate programs are available on line but they are not free.
To convert voice recordings not in a computer format, you can record them into your computer with Windows Sound Recorder. You need a sound card and a microphone and jack on your computer. You can record voice recordings from cassettes or other recording devices also, but you need a sound card capable of such and input. Click on Windows "Help" and type in "Sound Recording" for detailed instructions.
Downloading from the Internet has risks. Be sure your computer is protected with anti virus and spyware protection.
References
- Photo Credit Mp3 player green image by patrimonio designs from Fotolia.com
