Recording Sound

PCs have had the ability to record sound since the advent of Windows. How it is done is a little different for each operating system.

If you intend to put sound into a Power Point presentation there are two ways to do it. One is to record the sounds as below then insert the file on a slide. The other is to record in Power Point itself. If you are using Windows 7 you may need to download the free Windows Live Essentials before the sound recorder will be on your computer.

• Windows 7
• Vista
• XP

 

Windows 7 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Record-audio-with-Sound-Recorder

Vista http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Record-sound

XP http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/app_soundrecorder.mspx?mfr=true

Recording and Playing Sound within Power Point

In Power Point 2007 and 2010, while in the Normal View mode, click on the Insert Tab. In the far right of the Insert Ribbon click on Audio [Sound in 2007]. From the drop down menu select "Record Audio [Sound in 2007]." The window seen at the left appears. (In 2003, on the menu line click Insert>Movies and Sounds>Record Sound.)

Click on the red button to start recording.

Click on the gray button (which when you are recording will be blue) to stop the recording.

In a couple of seconds an icon that looks like the one in the illustration to the right that has a box above it will appear on your slide. In normal mode it can be moved anywhere you wish. When you place your insertion point on the icon, you will see the bottom bar in this illustration. To play the sound tap the forward arrow. (In 2003, right click on the icon and select "Play Sound.")

When you play the slide, placing the insertion point over the icon of the sound will produce a bar similar to the one you see in the normal view of the slide. Click the forward arrow to play the sound. (In 2003, click on the icon.)

If when you play it back the sound level is not audible enough, try resetting the recording level.

 

Inserting a Sound File into Power Point

If you have recorded the sound within Power Point it is already inserted into the slide. To insert another sound file:

In Normal View Mode open the Insert Ribbon, click on Audio (Sound) and select Audio From File.

Navigate to the sound in the file manager and click OK.

If when you play it back the sound level is not audible enough, try resetting the recording level.

 

Resetting the Record Sound Level

If the recording is not as you wish it, you may need to adjust the recording sound levels of your microphone. Keep in mind, that the best sound is often from an external microphone. To reset sound levels:

• Windows 7
• Vista
• XP

 

Windows 7

1. Click the Start Button (Windows Logo) and type the word "sound."
2. From under the Control Panel Click "Sound"
3. Click the "Levels" Tab
4. Reset the levels and check the recorded sound. Repeat above until you are satisfied that the sound level is the best you can get.

 

Vista

1. Click on Start>Control Panel>Sound
2. On the Window that opens, click Recording
3. Right click on the device you wish to use and select Properties
4. On the next window click on the Levels tab
5. Use the slider to select the desired sound level.
6. Test and repeat until satisfied with the sound level.

 

XP

1. Click Start>Control Panel>Sounds Speech and Audio Devices.
2. Under Pick a Task click on Adjust the System Volume .
3. For voice, Click the Voice tab and under voice recording click on Volume.
4. Change the setting as necessary.
5. Test and repeat until sa ti si fed with the sound level.

 

Created November 16, 2011