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cHatter Box Help Guide

Learn how to use all the features of the cHatter Box, a soundproof recording studio equipped with microphones, cameras, and livestreaming capabilities

Audio Software on the cHatter Box

The following apps can be used for audio recording on the cHatter Box:

  • Voice Memo
  • Audacity
  • Garage Band
  • OBS Studio

The boxes below give you information about the easiest, intermediate, and most advanced audio recording options for the cHatter Box. 

Easiest Audio Recording

There are many ways to record audio using the cHatter Box. The simplest way is to use your phone or the cHatter Box's built in computer to use Voice Memo. Voice Memo is only available on iPhones or Mac computers. For Android phones, you may have to download an app from the store.
 

Using the Voice Memo App

Go to the Voice Memo app. On the cHatter Box computer, it is on the tray at the bottom of the screen.

Click the large red button on the bottom. 

Speak clearly into the microphone of your phone. If you need to borrow a microphone for your phone, please see the Tech Me Out page. The cHatter Box is outfitted with microphones, and should work with Voice Memo.

Need more assistance? Watch this tutorial video:

 

Saving a Recording from Voice Memos

  1. After you finish recording, your file will appear in the list on the left side of the Voice Memos app.

  2. Right-click (or hold the Control key and click) on the recording.

  3. Choose Copy from the menu.

  4. Go to your desktop (or another folder), then right-click and select Paste to save the file there.

  5. Voice Memos saves recordings in the .m4a format.

Intermediate Audio Recording

For the next step up, but for an audio experience that allows for editing, you can use Audacity. This is also a free software, if you wish to download it for your own use. 

Audacity can be found on the computer running the cHatter Box on the tray.

Audacity: Using Two Mics

Audacity won’t detect both microphones in the cHatter Box right away. You’ll need to do a quick setup first. Just follow the steps below to get both microphones working in Audacity.

Step 1: Open Audio MIDI Setup

  1. Open the Audio MIDI Setup program which is located on the dock.

  2. A window will open showing all the audio devices connected to your Mac.

 Image - Audio/MIDI Setup Program
Audio MIDI
Dock Icon

Step 2: Create an Aggregate Device
    1.    In the bottom left corner of the Audio MIDI Setup window, click the + button.
    2.    Choose Create Aggregate Device.
    3.    A new item called Aggregate Device will appear in the list.

Step 3: Add Your Microphones
    1.    In the right panel, you’ll see a list of all audio devices.
    2.    Check the boxes for the two USB PnP Audio Device microphones.
    3.    Name your device "Both Mics" or something you can remember.
This creates them into one “combined device” that your Mac uses as a single sound input.

 Image - Audio/MIDI Setup

Step 4: Use It in Audacity
    1.    Open Audacity - Select Audio Setup - Recording Device
    2.    In the audio input dropdown, select Both Mics as your microphone.
    3.    Now, both mics will record at the same time into Audacity.

Image - Audacity Audio Input

Advanced Audio Recording

For advanced audio recording, or the creation of music, you can use Garage Band.

Garage Band can be found on the tray of the cHatter Box at the bottom of the screen.

You can add a Mic track and record your voice going into Garage Band, using the Mics found in the cHatter Box. 

If you would like to add drums to a musical track, you can experiment with the different drum tracks that come with Garage Band.