Find instructions and tips for volunteering.
Us the navigation pane to find answers to your questions.
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.
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.
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Breakdown of Steps in Audacity:
Export with a 192 kbps bit-rate. This can be done in the recording settings before you begin recording.
Breakdown of Steps in Voice Record Pro:
For audio quality issues, we prefer volunteers to use a Mac or PC. Don’t forget to use an external mic.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
NOTE: this is not a complete checklist, but more of a guide – check your onboarding documentation for more details. Not following AINC protocol will result in your episode not airing properly, and chronic failure to follow protocol may result in termination of your volunteer position.
✔ Name your file correctly as specified by the Volunteer Coordinator. DO NOT include dates, capital letters, or spaces in the file name. Only include numbers if you are stacking programs to air for a future date (not common).
✔ Submit your file by the deadline. Aim for earlier incase you run into any issues. If you upload a file late, you MUST contact alex@aincolorado.org ASAP.
✔Read the intro and outro scripts.
✔ Bit-rate 192 kbps or higher.
✔ Audio in .mp3 format.
✔ Audio is the correct duration.
✔ Submit your volunteer hours.
✔ Verbally credit the authors.