NPR's Guide To Sending Audio Learn how to record your own story and send it to NPR

NPR's Guide To Sending Audio

NPR shows sometimes call out to you — our audience members — to weigh in on a story, share your perspective or ask a question. Below is a handy guide for sending us your audio story for use on air, online, or on a podcast.

Open the recording app

Apple Voice Memos Icon Screenshot/NPR hide caption

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Screenshot/NPR

Apple Voice Memos Icon

Screenshot/NPR

Smart Voice Recorder in Play Store Screenshot/NPR hide caption

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Smart Voice Recorder in Play Store

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If you have an iPhone, the app you'll need is called Voice Memos, and it comes with the phone. Search for it, or look in the "Utilities" folder.

Android users will need to download an app to make recordings. Our friends at WNYC's Note to Self recommend Smart Voice Recorder, or Creobe Voice Memo for Windows Phone users.

Get in position

The internal mic on your phone is surprisingly good — there's no need to add headphones or any attachments to make a great recording. The easiest way to get the mic in a good position is to hold it to your ear, as if you're talking on the phone.

If you'd rather hold it out in front of you, make sure it's not too close — you want it about 4 inches away.

The easiest way to get the mic in a good position is to hold it to your ear as if you're talking on the phone.
BriaGranville/NPR
If you'd rather hold it out in front of you, make sure it's not too close — you want it about 4 inches away.
Bria Granville/NPR

Start the recording

Push the red button — you'll know it's recording when the counter starts and you see the waveform dancing as you talk. Here's what it looks like on an iPhone:

Apple Voice Memos screen with levels
Screenshot/NPR

And here's what it looks like using Smart Voice Recorder on an Android phone:

Smart Voice Recorder on an Android Screenshot/NPR hide caption

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Screenshot/NPR

Smart Voice Recorder on an Android

Screenshot/NPR

Tell us your story

First, tell us your full name and where you are. Then, it's often helpful to say the question or prompt that you're responding to before launching into your story. You can write out what you plan to say if you'd like, but the strongest recordings sound casual and conversational, not like you're reading.

When you're finished, tap "Done."

Save it and send it

Give the recording a name that makes sense to you (like your full name and the date), and save the recording. Then open up the file by tapping the recording, and click the share button on the bottom left-hand corner (it looks like a box with an arrow coming out of it). Choose "Mail," and send it to us at talktous@npr.org.

Save your file with a name that makes sense to you, then send it over to us via email. Screenshot/NPR hide caption

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Screenshot/NPR

Save your file with a name that makes sense to you, then send it over to us via email.

Screenshot/NPR

If the callout you're responding to suggests a subject line, include that. In the body of the email, be sure to include where you live and your full name so we know how to spell it.

Thanks! We're excited to hear from you.

This guide was adapted from one at WNYC's Note to Self.
https://www.npr.org/2017/08/15/496888150/nprs-guide-to-sending-audio
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