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How to Record MP3 Files of Sound Bites

In our fast-moving news culture, the details of any story come after the fact, when we read or watch full coverage. But it's the sound byte that we remember--celebs, politicians and pundits live by them, and the viewers remember the best ones. Whether you want to record your own sound bites to MP3 files or you just want to download and save them, Reaper audio software makes it easy.

Things You'll Need

  • Microphone
  • Reaper audio software
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Instructions

  1. Recording your own sound bite

    • 1

      Connect your microphone to your computer's line-in/microphone jack. Open the Reaper audio recording software by Cockos Inc., and it'll automatically begin a new project.

    • 2

      Go to the top tool bar and click "Track." Next, click on the "Insert New Track" option. On the track, click the red "AR" ("armed for recording) button. Check your sound levels by talking into the microphone.

    • 3

      Press the red AR button and speak the sound bite. Press "Stop" when you're done and a window will come up. Click "Save all." Un-click the AR button and press "Play" to hear what you've recorded. If you're satisfied, click "File" on the top tool bar, click "Save project as," and name the file.

    • 4

      Click "File" again and chose the "Render" option. A "Render to File" will open; click the "Output format" option, choose "MP3," and hit the "Render" button. A window will open, converting the sound bite.

    • 5

      Once completed, you can launch and listen to the MP3 sound bite in your default media player.

    Recording MP3 files of downloaded sound bitess

    • 6

      Download the desired sound bite, and save the file to either your desktop or music file. Open the Reaper audio recording software, and it'll automatically begin a new project.

    • 7

      Go to the top tool bar, click "Insert," and then hit the "Media file" option. A window will open. Find your saved sound bite and double-click on its thumbnail. Reaper will download the file into the timeline; a small window will show the process. When finished, check the file's sound levels and adjust if needed.

    • 8

      Click "file" on the top tool bar, click "Save project as," and name the file. Click "file" again and find the "Render" button. A "Render to File" will open; click the "Output format" option, choose "MP3," and hit the "Render" button. A window will open, converting the sound bite.

    • 9

      Once completed, you can launch and listen to the MP3 soundbite in your default media player.

Recording Music

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