Adding Audio to Google Slides

What:

Google Slides users everywhere have long been requesting a feature to add audio to slides and Google for Education finally came through with the option to add audio to a slide. The only issue is that Google has not created an internal tool to record the audio. Therefore, here are four web-based free audio recording tools (source). 

ChromeMP3 Recorder is a simple tool that is a web app that only runs on Chromebooks. A brief how-to is located below (source). 

  • First, install the “ChromeMP3 Recorder” web app. You can get the Chrome Web Store link on the site at https://www.hablacloud.com/
  • Once the web app has been installed, you can open it from the Chromebook app launcher when needed.
  • When the app opens, simply click the red “Record” button to start recording.
  • You can click the “Pause” button if needed during recording.
  • When done, click the “Stop” button.
  • The app will now ask you where you want to save the MP3 file in your Google Drive. You can also name the file at this point to make it easier to find later.

Online Voice Recorder is another easy tool but this one is a website that runs on Chromebooks, Macs, and PCs. A brief how-to is located below (source). 

  • Go to the site at: https://online-voice-recorder.com/
  • Click the mic button to start recording.
  • Note: you will need to give it permission to use your microphone the first time you use the site.
  • Click the “Stop” button when done.
  • You will now get a screen where you can preview your voice recording.
  • If needed, you can trim the start and end of the audio to remove any extra dead space.
  • When done, click “Save“.
  • The MP3 file will be downloaded to your device!

Beautiful Audio Editor is easy to use and has lots of extra features for editing. A brief how-to is located below (source). 

  • Launch the tool at: https://beautifulaudioeditor.appspot.com/app
  • Click the “Record” button at the bottom of the screen to start recording.
  • Note: you will need to give it permission to use your microphone the first time you use the site.
  • Click the “Stop” button when done.
  • Your recorded track will now be added to the editor.
  • You can drag the play head back to the start and press the play button to preview your recording.
  • If you need to trim out any of the audio, you will need to use the “Split Section” and “Remove Section” buttons in the top toolbar.
  • When you are happy with the audio, you can click the “Download as MP3” button to generate a link to save the file to your device.

Twisted Wave is a more robust audio recording tool with lots of features that allows you to record up to five minutes at a time. A brief how-to is located below (source). 

  • Go to the website at: https://twistedwave.com/online
  • Click “New document” to create a new file..
  • Click the red “Record” button to start recording.
  • Note: you will need to give it permission to use your microphone the first time you use the site.
  • Click the “Stop” button when done.
  • Your recorded track will now be added to the editor.
  • You can click at the start of your clip and press the “Play” button to preview your recording.
  • If you need to trim out any of the audio, you can click and drag with your mouse to select the portion you want to get rid of, and then press your “Delete” button.
  • When you are happy with the audio, you can download it my clicking “File” then “Download“.
  • Better yet, to save it directly to your Google Drive you can click “File” then “Save to Google Drive“. TwistedWave will ask you to log in with your Google account and give permission.

Next Steps

Interested in learning more? Check out the websites below for great information. 

References:

All sourced information is hyperlinked as applicable above. 

TLDR (too long didn’t read):

Google Slides users everywhere have long been requesting a feature to add audio to slides and Google for Education finally came through with the option to add audio to a slide. The only issue is that Google has not created an internal tool to record the audio. Therefore, here are four web-based free audio recording tools (source). 

@hollandkaylah