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Creative: How To Make Your Own Digital Audio Book!

Written by
September 7, 2012
Be Creative
2 Comments

Hello!

I think this is a super cute gift to make for someone you love. I am sure you know there are lots of ways to do this. You could just get an old school tape recorder and cassettes and do it that way. Or you could plug a microphone in to your computer and record yourself like that, too.  BUT I did it with my laptop and my iPhone, the digital Pip way. I am recording the chapters of James and the Giant Peach for Ari.   Here is how I am doing it ::

1. Download iTalk Premium for your iPhone (it’s $1.99)
2. Download Dropbox for your computer and iPhone (free!)
3. Choose the book you would like to read (I chose James and the Giant Peach)
4. Get a glass of water or a mug of warm tea
5. Go somewhere quiet
6. Get comfy and clear your throat
7. Type the book title and/or chapter number as your file name (I typed James and The Giant Peach Chapter One)
8. Hit the red record button
9. Announce the title, author, the chapter number if you are reading a chapter book and your name and any message you want to add. (You could even read your own introduction!)
10. Start reading!
11. Press stop when you finish reading the chapter/book!

12. Hit the little arrow to send your file to Dropbox
13. Open your Dropbox folder and click on the file you just sent there.  (It will be your book and/or chapter name.)
14 Your file* will open in iTunes where you can listen to it, share it or burn it!  If you are recording many chapters, then put them into a playlist in the correct order before you share them!
15. If you burn a CD, be sure to make a cute cover for it!

 

Don’t worry if you make some errors, or if the dog is barking a tiny bit.  Those things will make your recording more personal and capture the time and place you were in when you read it!

xx Pip

PS : You can then upload the file via Soundcloud so that you can embed it on the internet!  (For personal use only, of course!)  Or email to a favourite cousin or niece or boyfriend!

*  This file is an AIFF file. It works in iTunes, but if you want to convert it to MP3 later go here.

Here is my very own dodgy audio book chapter… complete with mistakes, croaky voice and page turning disjointedness!  Just to show you what you can do.  Don’t be a goosey and record copyrighted material to sell.  Okay?  I know you won’t do that.  This idea is for gifting and sharing the love of books only!

First published on my blog Meet Me at Mike’s
  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=586098175 Sugar Kane Kowalczyk

    I have been listening to audio books at work – you sound lovely and I would listen to the whole book if you let me. I want to record The Magic Wishing Chair for me friend Regis in Paris. I will try and find my copy over the weekend. Thankyou for sharing. x

    • http://www.justbaustralia.com.au/ Pip @ JustB

      Oh that is a lovely story, SKK! It’s a fave of mine! xx