Recording to computer

- Windows computers (PC)
- Apple Macs

Recording Your Child - Tips and Tricks

Remember that we only need a small 3 second sound from your child to make a successful Kidloop™. All you need is to send us a recording of your child chatting, singing or just making sounds. No child or baby is to young or to old to make their first Kidloop™.

Try asking them to:

• give you their favourite sayings, expressions, words, sounds or songs
• sing any special songs
• talk about their pets
• talk about a book they have been reading
• talk about their favourite colours/foods/dreams
• talk about their brothers/sisters/family and any nicknames
• describe mum and dad
• tell you where babies come from
• tell you what they want to be when they grow up
• tell you what noises different animals and other things make.
• Play a musical instrument, including pots and pans...

Microphone Tips and Tricks

	(a) Reduce background noise when you are recording. Turn off the TV and radio, close any window and doors if you are inside. Also try not to talk as your kid is performing.
	(b) If your child is making soft sounds put the microphone closer to them, (or put them closer to the mic). Aim for a distance of about 5 cm. Be careful as loud sounds may distort the recording when too close to the mic.
	(c) If your child is making loud shouting or screaming type sounds, move the mic up to 1 metre away. This will prevent the recording from becoming overloaded and distorting.
	(d) Keep the microphone handy and discrete. You never know when inspiration is about to strike.

Recording to computer

1. Windows computers (PC)

Soundcards

Most windows operated computers come with a soundcard fitted to the back of the tower. This soundcard will have a mini jack audio input. This is where you plug your microphone in.
Most computer shops will carry a cheap microphone that has this type of jack.
Jack converters are also available if you need to convert a large jack to mini jack.

Windows MP3 software

If you are running Windows you may already have the recording software you need.
Go to StartMenu>Programs>Accessories>Entertainment>Sound Recorder.

If you need software that lets you record MP3 straight from your soundcard. Try the ‘All Recorder’. It is available as a trial download from www.allrecorder.com.
It is 714K in size and is limited to 30sec grabs which maybe all you need to capture your kid sounds.

Or try a similar software program 'Audio Record Wizard 2.79' or 'All Sound Recorder 1.2' downloadable from www.download.com
back to the top

2. Apple Macs

Microphone inputs

All Apple Macs have either a built in microphone and/or a microphone input socket.
Macs without a built in microphone require an external microphone that can be plugged directly into the audio input socket. The jack type is a 'mini jack'.
Most computer shops will carry a cheap microphone that has this type of jack.
Jack converters are also available if you need to convert a large jack to mini jack.
The Mac input will accept both a stereo input or a mono input.
Go to Apple>Control Panels>Sound to see the level of your input.

Mac recording software

Kidloops.com can recommend the software called 'The Analogue Ripper 1.02' this will record from your inputs directly to your hard disc. If your recordings get over 3Mb in size try converting your Analogue Ripper files (AIFF or Quicktime) into MP3 using iTunes, then send them to us. Also try recording in Mono to further reduce file size.
You can download this recording software for free at www.weblast.co.uk it is only 810K in size and comes with a great instruction manual. Thanks to Weblast for the use of this 'little ripper' of a program.
back to the top