What is the easiest way to record myself reading text?

You definitely want something with a quick (and soundless) stop/start mechanism when recording yourself reading. As soon as you push record, your brain will suddenly realize that you need to clear your throat, etc. and the ability to pause recording will make a huge difference.

People on here have used Vocaroo but I don’t think you can download the sound file, just link to it. Depends what you want to do with the recording I suppose. My daughter’s MP3 player records sound and the files can be loaded onto a PC

Vocaroo sound files can be downloaded and there is no limit on file length. However, the recording process cannot be restarted once stopped. Audacity is probably more than you need; but it is free, and the website has a useful tutorial section.

Audacity is too complicated and vocaroo isn’t what I’m looking for.

You might want to check out Free Sound Recorder. It’s a downloadable free sound recorder :-).

You’re just looking to record yourself reading; you’re not looking for speech-to-text software right?

If you don’t mind spending some money, you could buy a voice recorder. That’s what I have used in the past. Or what about your phone? Does it have a voice recorder? I can transfer files from my phone to my PC. Are you going to have to transcribe the information or edit it? I had (still have but don’t use) a Sony voice recorder that has good software because you can edit the reading, save it in different formats, play it back very slowly if you need to transcribe any of it.

It depends what you are going to use it for @zen

I just looked on CNET and the best one that came up there if you want to download something is the Free Sound Recorder program @lilycoyote has mentioned. It got good reviews.

@Bellatrix The voice recorder is a good idea too. I forgot about that. I have one and it’s really handy for all sorts of things and they’re all small enough now you can carry one around in your pocket or purse which you can’t do with a computer and most of them allow you to transfer the recordings to your computer. Those little things are about as close as you can get to upgrading your brain with additional RAM.

I use my phone mostly for voice recording now (e.g. little “notes to self” like what section I parked my car in at the Philly airport so I could find it when I go back) I still use the voice recorder sometimes though. I used to like to use the voice recorder in the car if I heard music on the radio that I liked. I would record a little of the music so I would remember why I liked and the dj/host telling you what the song and artist was. Beats trying to right it down while your driving. And I have a recording of my dad’s greeting from his answering machine on and it’s nice to have that now that he’s gone. It would have been difficult to get that with the computer

I have two voice recorders and they are excellent. Strangely, I prefer the oldest one. It is more usable than the newer VR. I also have a smart pen. It can record audio too. They are great when you are in a meeting. You can record the audio, while you take notes. You can then save the files (both audio and text) to your computer. They are a bit exy but great for students or if you need a record of a conversation or have to take minutes in a meeting.
I have had to do many, many interviews over the years and the VR was just essential.

I like the idea with the music. How often do you hear something and think, “I like that” but you don’t know who it is and then you can’t remember enough about it for someone to tell you. To hear your dad’s voice would be very special. It is sad how soon you forget the sound of their voices. That’s a real treasure. Hopefully, something we said will be useful to Zen!

@Bellatrix Well, I provided a link to a freeware application that would allow @zen to record on his computer and we have both discussed the virtues of the light, easy’ portable voice recorders so we’re still on topic at least.

I am looking for software for the computer that will enable me to just record my voice – preferably microphone to pc – reading stories – so I can then burn copies of it – with as little muss and fuss as possible. I don’t really need editing features (audacity is nice – but crazy!) it has to be simple, light for my very old, slow pc. It should be as simple as using an old tape recorder – but then it converts it into computer files.

I will check out the one lily suggested soon.

I am not interested in a hand held object – I am not interested in something I will have to then plug into the pc and convert. Thanks for all your help guys.