Guides and Troubleshooting

1. Go to Audacity’s website to find the downloads

• • Download Audacity for Windows
  • Download Audacity for Mac
  • NOTICE: There may be ads on the web page with prominent “download” buttons. If they are not Audacity download button, do not click.

2. Click the version you want to install (either “Audacity Windows Installer” or “Audacity macOS DMG”). The download will save to your computer.

3. Run the installer to begin using Audacity

NOTE FOR THOSE WHO PREVIOUSLY USED STUDIO RECORDER: Some people are experiencing issues when both Studio Recorder AND Audacity are installed on their computer. You may need to uninstall Studio Recorder to prevent issues with Audacity. To do this, right click on Studio Recorder and click “uninstall”.

AINC recommends you use the recording app, Voice Record Pro. We do not provide support or training for any other software on mobile.

• Download for iPhone
• Download for Android

We want you to have a happy and successful volunteer experience. Your willingness to comply with the expectations set forth provides greater assurance that your  experience (and ours) will be a gratifying one. Review our onboarding document. 

For audio quality issues, we prefer volunteers to use a Mac or PC. Don’t forget to use an external mic.

• Bit rate: at least 192 kbps
• File type: mp3

You can alter these in the options settings of your recording program, or in the export settings.

We require AINC volunteers to use Audacity (PC/MAC). We have instructional videos available in the volunteer portal, along with helpful tips. Audacity is free professional-level software, exceptional editing controls, great sound quality.  Click here to see a video to begin using Audacity.

If you already are a professional voice-over artist, have your own professional studio, equipment, and software you are familiar with you may use your own software as long as you submit files in .mp3, and 192kbps format

We will no longer support these previously supported programs:

1. 1. IOD (Recording though telephone)
   2. APH Studio Recorder
   3. Wireready Quick Record
   4. AudioVoiceRecorder.com

Remember, recording is just 1 step of the process. It is critical you submit your completed file to us via the portal!

When you were assigned your program you were given the URL and log-in information to content for your program. If you were assigned to an e-edition please read from it instead of the website edition.  Because we read online content from 3RD PARTY COMPANIES – we have no control over their ads, pop-ups, or other problems with their website.

You MUST use an external mic. You don’t need a fancy microphone unless you are setting up a permanent studio. A gaming mic or simple USB microphone will be adequate. Here are some microphones we have worked with or have been suggested. You can find these at your local Best Buy or on Amazon.

• Tascam Headphones
• HyperX Cloud Alpha S – Gaming Headset (Professional Grade)
• Blue Snowball Ice USB mic
• Blue Yeti USB mic (higher end)

DO NOT USE a built-in laptop mic!

Yes, please read the script as written. The intro at the beginning, and the outro at the end. We will always have the most up-to-date on available on the Volunteer Portal.

You may need 2 screens. If you are tech savvy, you can do split screen on your PC, record from one and read from the other at the same time.  Or, use your mobile device to read from and your computer to record on.

If you are using another recording software, you can usually have it recording behind the scenes as you navigate your articles online.  Be sure to test this before recording a long file.

Aim for an average level of -12.0 dB.

• Update Audacity to the latest version (3.1.3 is the latest, you can see what version you have in Audacity by clicking “help” and then “about Audacity”)
• Restart your computer just before your next recording sesh
• Check if your operating system has any updates available

If, for example, you are going out of town next week so you wish to submit 2 weeks worth of your program, you must name your files accordingly. The one you wish to play next will be your normal naming convention – that is, with no numbers.

The one you wish to play soonest will be went.mp3

The one you wish to play next week you will need to name went2.mp3

The one you wish to play the week after next week you will need to name went3.mp3.. etc.

If you submit or anticipate you will submit your file after the “first air” day and time, it is critical you contact aflynn@aincolorado.org. Not doing so can confuse the system and your weekly cycle could be off, meaning, the system won’t automatically air it until another 7 day cycle passes.

All of AINC’s publishing platforms  (podcast, broadcast, stream, and telephone access) run on very specific weekly schedules. Each program has a “first air” day and then will repeat the same episode for a 7 day cycle. When you submit your program does not affect when it is published as long as it is before the “first air” day and time. Contact aflynn@aincolorado.org to inquire about what this time is for your program. If you are still concerned that it is publishing the wrong episode, please contact aflynn@aincolorado.org

Our Volunteer Portal is optimized to make uploading your audio file as fast as possible, but depending on your home environment (Such as your internet speed, Wi-Fi, or device capabilities) the upload speed can sometimes be inconveniently slow or time-out before the upload completes. You should expect uploads to take anywhere between 1 and 20 minutes. If uploading takes longer than that, here are some tips to increasing your upload speed:

• Close any extraneous tabs on your browser, or extraneous programs that are running on your computer.
• Disconnect other devices from your internet. Your internet speed may be getting throttled by internet related activities on other devices such as mobile phones, other computers, and online gaming on a console.
• Upload during “off hours” when less people in your household are using the internet.
• If you use Wi-Fi, use a wired connection using an Ethernet cable to connect your upload device directly to your internet.
• Clear your cache and cookies in your browser.
• Consider changing your broadband provider. Different providers perform better in certain areas of the country, and it could be worth switching.

Please double check the email sent from AINC to ensure you are entering your correct username. If you do this and it still doesn’t work, contact aflynn@aincolorado.org.

Please double check the email sent from AINC to ensure you are entering your correct password. If you do this and it still doesn’t work, contact aflynn@aincolorado.org.