Flash Tutorial for Audacity.  

1. Create a folder on your hard drive named Audacity.

2. Go to http://audacity.sourceforge.net

3. Click “Download Audacity 1.2.4b”. (for more help see: Downloading Audacitiy)

4. Click “Audacity 1.2.4b installer” you will be asked to select a site to download from. North American sites are recommended.  Save the download in the Audacity folder you created.  (for more help see: Installing Audacity)

5. Now go back to the audacity homepage and repeat step 3 (just click on the Download Audacity 1.2.4b button again) and it takes you to the page where you can find the LAME mp3 encoder (see step 6).

6. Click “LAME mp3 encoder”. Click “Lame download page” on the page that appears. Download and save the file in the Audacity folder.

7. Now begin by unzipping the lame-3.96.1 folder in your Audacity folder. Save the Lame folder in the Audacity folder.

8. Now double click on the “audacity-win-1.2.4b” Follow the "wizard" steps to install Audacity. 

9. To create a mp3 open the Audacity program.  Make sure the microphone is selected in the drop down menu on the right.  When you see the microphone level indicator moving you can press record near the top to begin.  Press the stop button when you are done recording.

10. To edit you can select the effects tab at the top of the screen to raise the volume of the file or speed or slow down the audio.

11. Under the speaker output level indicator (green bar that moves) there are tools to cut and paste if you want to add music or delete errors from your audio files.

12. When you are satisfied with your recording press File on the top left come down to Export as Mp3.

13. The first time you use the “Export as Mp3” command, Audacity will ask you where the lame_enc.dll is saved. It will be in the folder you unzipped earlier. (You only have to do this one time).

14. Name the Mp3 what you want then tell it where you want it saved.  Press Save and your Mp3 will be created.  (for more help see: Setting Up Audacity)