Ever since Windows 95 and the introduction of ‘Windows Sound Recorder’ it has been possible to simply plug a microphone into your mic input on your sound card, hit record, and record your audio signal. A little has evolved since then, with the explosion of sound recording applications and professional pro audio software. It is now possible for just about everyone with a computer and a cheap microphone to begin recording straight away. Digital voice recording software is available on the web, and some factors regarding it will be discussed.

You should make sure that your PC or laptop/notebook computer has a microphone input. All modern computers should have this, although you may want to double check on your laptop. Some laptops will only provide an audio out for headphones at best. Desktop computers will usually have an onboard soundcard, and I am yet to see one that does not contain a microphone and line in port. The best way to make sure however, is to consult the manual that was provided with your motherboard or notebook.

If you plan on recording audio signal directly from a microphone, you can easily purchase a cheap microphone online. You should look for one that is priced less than $10 for your needs. You will receive some added benefits, like the ability to have VOIP (voice over IP) communications over the internet with applications like Skype. You can even include a webcam in order to have a face to face conversation.

There are free applications online such as Audacity which you can use to record your audio signal. With every Windows computer comes an application called Windows Sound Recorder which you could use too. My recommendation is not to use the Windows sound recorder, but rather something that gives you some added features and benefits. You can always search Google for “sound recording applications” to gain access to thousands more.

There is also speech recognition software available. Applications such as Microsoft Word already come with this functionality. It means you can “talk” to your application and have it type what you are saying automatically. You should search online for an application that has good reviews.

As you can see, recording your voice is as simple as using your computer to do so. Once you are done recording, you can always export to an MP3 or WAV file and distribute it to other people. You can search online for digital voice recording software in order to find an application that suits your specific needs.