Use your mobile phone or free software for the recording

We recommend the Audacity free software package.
Choose a quiet place

Find a quiet place without any background noise. Avoid rooms that are too large, with echoes or reverberation. You can pause and resume the recording if necessary.
Practice before recording

Read the text a couple of times before recording it to ensure you read fluently and naturally.
Use headphones and a microphone if you have them

They can be headphones with a microphone, or an external microphone.
Say your name, the title and the Library you belong to

Start the recording by stating your name, surname(s), the title and author of the text, and the Library to which you belong (e.g. the UOC Library).
Don't get too close to your recording device

Keep an appropriate distance from your recording device to avoid distortion. Monitor the volume level while you are recording.
Edit the audio

Cut out any silences, pauses or errors and make sure all cuts have the same voice volume. We recommend using Audacity software.

Export the file in 128 kbps .mp3 format.
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Recording and editing software

Audacity link opens in a new window

Free open source software available for Windows, Mac and Linux for easy audio recording and editing.

Audacity Reference Manual link opens in a new window

A UOC learning resource that provides a brief explanation of how Audacity works: the settings, and basic recording and editing.

Online voice recorder link opens in a new window

This free online tool lets you record audio and export it in mp3 format.

Audiomass link opens in a new window

An online tool that lets you easily record and edit an audio track.

Power Sound Editor Free

A simple audio editor that lets you record sound from different sources and edit it, with an equalizer and the ability to create effects.

Linux Multimedia Studio

A multiplatform desktop application (Windows, macOS X and Linux).

More information

Take the opportunity to learn a little more about audio editing.

Diseño y producción de un pódcast link opens in a new window

Producción y publicación digital link opens in a new window

Sonido en la red link opens in a new window

Consejos básicos para la elaboración de un pódcast link opens in a new window

FAQs

What texts can I read and record for the campaign?

We have drawn up a list with a selection of texts from works in the public domain by women writers in various languages.

All the texts we suggest are short and not subject to copyright, so you can share your readings with other users and reach as many people as possible.

I'd like to read something that's not on the list. Can I do this?

If you want to read a text that's not on our list, you must first make sure that it is in the public domain. Write to us through the Contact section of the registration page and we can confirm it.

Are there any specific requirements for audio recordings?

It is important that you begin your recording of the text by saying your name and surname, the title of the book and your reference library (UOC Library, UCJC Library, etc.).

The audio must be shared in mp3 format, preferably 128 kbps.

I've recorded the text. How can I send it?

You must have registered for the campaign and have accepted its legal conditions beforehand. After you have done this, you can send the recording using this form (you will need to log in to your Gmail account).

I have some questions about the campaign, or technical problems when I send in my recording. What can I do?

Write to us through the Contact section of the registration page.

What happens after I send my recording?

We will review it and gradually upload the readings to the campaign website.

Can I hear other recordings that have been shared in the campaign?

Yes, after they have been published, all the recordings will be available for everyone to listen to under a Creative Commons licence.

You can listen to other participants' audio readings on the campaign page.

What is the aim of the campaign?

The aim of the Relatos Compartidos (Shared Stories) campaign is to encourage reading, raise the profile of women writers, and foster the active participation of users through audio readings.

How can I share the audio readings after they have been published?

You can share them with your friends and followers on social media using the campaign's official hashtag, #RelatosCompartidos. This will help to spread the word about the campaign and raise awareness of all the participants' stories.

Who can take part?

The first campaigns were specifically aimed at library staff and information science students. The third campaign is also open to users of the libraries. So at the UOC, the entire university community can take part.

Can I record more than one audio reading?

There is no problem if you decide to record more than one. If you do, please tell us the texts you want to read in the field "What text do you want to read?" on the campaign registration form.