How to Record & Send Voice Memos

Hello, world!

We want to hear and share what you have to say, but from a safe, sanitized and social distance. So, we made this guide to show you how to record yourself on your smartphone, and email the recording to us when you’re done.

A few things to remember, before we get started: 

1. Try to record in the quietest space possible.
2. Remember to speak as slooooowwwlyyyy and c l e a r l y  as possible.
3. It's helpful to think about what you want to say before you start recording, so that you can say it quickly and to the point – but don’t worry about writing it down or planning it out too much. 
4. Keep your spoken message as short and as clear as possible – ideally in the 2-3 minute range.
5. Have fun! This is fun. We promise, this is fun.

Follow the instructions here to record a memo from an iPhone, and here to record from an Android. 

---

How To Record A Voice Memo From An iPhone

1. Pick up your phone, unlock the home screen and find the Voice Memos app – it’s the icon that looks like this:

2. Open the app, arrive at this screen:

3. Tap the big, red, round Record button at the bottom of the screen. You don't have to hold it down the whole time you’re recording, just tap it once to start. If you see sound waves bouncing around, you’re good to go.

4. Hold the phone up to your ear like you’re making a normal phone call, and get ready to record your message.

You can also use headphones or earbuds-with-microphone combo that you use to make phone calls, if you’d like!

5. Record your message. (This is the fun part we were talking about, earlier.)
   • Start talking. Act natural! Like you're talking to your best friend, or your mom, or your pet. If there’s someone else in the room with you, you can even talk to them!
   • Please include your first and last name and where in the world you’re recording. You can say "Hi my name is ______, and I’m over here in _____" or however else you’d like to introduce yourself.
   • If you don’t know what to say next, here are some questions to help you get started:

• What does the world look, sound, and feel like where you are?
• How have the protests for Black lives and against the white supremacy of the carceral and capitalist state impacted you and your community?
• How has the coronavirus outbreak impacted you and your community?
• What is the most recent photo on your phone?
   
• When you are done speaking your mind, leave the phone recording for about 60 seconds so we can hear what the room you’re in sounds like. OR you can walk to the window and record what the outside world sounds like where you are. OR, if you’re so inclined, you can record a separate track for us next time you’re out and about in the world and email that file to us, by following the directions below.

6. When you are finished recording, press the square, red Stop button at the bottom of the screen. 

7. The file will automatically be added to your list of recordings. Tap on the recording you just made and listen to it to make sure it sounds the way you want it to.

8. If you like what you hear, tap the file name and change it to something that you’ll remember, so that you can find it later when it comes time to send it in.

9. Once you’ve renamed your file and are ready to send it, click on the three dots on the left of the recording. 

10. And when you see the option to, hit Share.

11. You’ll get a few options for sharing the file, and should pick whichever email app you use on your phone. I use the gmail app, and yours might look different. However it looks, when your app opens up, email the file to brooklynusapodcast@gmail.com and make sure you include the correct spelling of your name and where you’re dispatching from.

We’re here when you need us, and can’t wait to hear from you!

---

How to Record a Voice Memo From an Android Phone

1. Grab your phone and find (or download) a simple voice recorder app. Here are some options:
   • Recorder
   • Smart Recorder
   • Voice Recorder

2. We’re using the Voice Recorder app from the list above. (When you tap on the app, you may get the following notification. Select ‘allow’)

3. When you open the app will look something like this, depending on which one you downloaded (we’re using Voice Recorder, from the list above):

 

4. Click on the Settings button in the bottom right corner, and make sure to select the best quality MP3 preset. Once that’s selected, press the Back button.

5. Tap the round, red Record button, and wait a few seconds before you start speaking. Make sure you see levels bouncing around on the Input meter, and that you have enough time remaining to finish your entire message.

6. Hold the phone up to your ear like you’re making a normal phone call, and get ready to record your message. 

7. You can also use headphones or earbuds-with-microphone combo that you use to make phone calls, if you’d like!

8. Record your message. (This is the fun part we were talking about, earlier.)
   • Start talking. Act natural! Like you're talking to your best friend, or your mom, or your pet. If there’s someone else in the room with you, you can even talk to them!
   • Please include your first and last name and where in the world you’re recording. You can say "Hi my name is ______, and I’m over here in _____" or however else you’d like to introduce yourself.
   • If you don’t know what to say next, here are some questions to help you get started:

• What does the world look, sound, and feel like where you are?
• How have the protests for Black lives and against the white supremacy of the carceral and capitalist state impacted you and your community?
• How has the coronavirus outbreak impacted you and your community?
• What is the most recent photo on your phone?

• When you are done speaking your mind, leave the phone recording for about 60 seconds so we can hear what the room you’re in sounds like. OR you can walk to the window and record what the outside world sounds like where you are. OR, if you’re so inclined, you can record a separate track for us next time you’re out and about in the world and email that file to us, by following the directions below.

9. When you are finished recording, press the square, red Stop button and name the file. Name it “BKUSA_YourName” or something else that you will remember, and then hit OK.

10. Tap the Recording List button to see all of your recordings, and select the one you just recorded. Listen to the recording to make sure it sounds the way you want it to.

11. If you like what you hear, select whichever email app you use and email the file to brooklynusapodcast@gmail.com and make sure you include the correct spelling of your name and where you’re dispatching from.

We’re here when you need us, and can’t wait to hear from you!