Reasons to Make Audio Stories

• The equipment is relatively inexpensive and easy to use. You just need to practice a little and get comfortable with it.
• A microphone is less intrusive than a video camera. People can be more natural – more themselves n the company of a good interviewer or group.
• Audio is intimate. When you hear someone's voice on a podcast, it seems as if they're talking directly to you. Swedish researchers have found that audio creates more of a sense of co-presence than does text.

• Audio forces the teller/catcher to be creative and pay attention to words, sound and language. 

                                                                                                                                                                       Adapted From NPR's Radio Diaries

Talk-based Stories

• Conversation cafe/Storycircles with someone acting as recorder (via notes, audio recorder, video recorder)
• Storybooths a la StoryCorps
• Interviews One-on-one or Many-on-One: Example from Going Coastal
• Personal Narrative podcast: Example from Coastal Stories
• Story Tours: Example from The Murmur Project or Artmobs

Tips

• Show, don't tell.  Make it visual by helping us to see what you are describing.
• Use the small details that tell the big stories--what do people really need to hear that makes this story unique?
• Make sure the microphone is about six inches from the speaker.
• Wearing headphones will ensure that you hear what is actually being recorded.
• For interviewing tips, see here.
• Podcasting, in Plain English, a wonderful video tutorial
• OurMedia's Tips on Oral Histories 

Equipment Needs

• Recorder

High quality: Digital Voice recorder; high-end digital video camera capturing sound only; high-end external microphone with DAT or computer. There are many excellent models out there, from Edirol, Sony, Marantz, H2,and Olympus.  The models change so frequently that it is a good idea to check with professional folklife centers (though they often recommend high-end models as they are professional ethnographers).  The same goes for microphones.

Medium Quality: iPod with iTalk

Medium-Poor Quality (depending on your computer)  Computer microphone

• Headphones

Helpful while recording:you hear how the recording will sound

• Editing Software

Audacity (free download and easy to use) :  How-to manual here.  A Google search will give you many options for free tips on Audacity.

Garageband (for MACS)

Many other free audio editors, listed at wikipedia

• Storage space

Many online options including Soundcloud, The Internet Archive, OurMedia, Yodio

CDs

Publication Venues

Community Almanac

Website, Blogs and wikis

CD for the town

Radio: Example from Rural Voices Radio