Recording high quality audio can be quite difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s a list of our favourite audio recording techniques.
Sock on Mic
This ancient technique still works great today and involves nothing but a sock and an audio source.
You will need:
- – 1 clean sock
- – A device capable of outputting audio
- – Your DSi, 2DS, or 3DS
Here’s how it works:
1. Grab your console and create a new Flipnote. Fill it with blank pages (depending on how long you want your Flipnote to be).
2. Head on over to the audio recording screen. Once there, place your sock over the microphone on your console.
💡 Tip: If you’re unsure where the microphone is on your console, take a look at this guide:
3. Grab your audio source and place it on the sock, right on top of where the microphone would be.
4. Play your audio but don’t hit record yet. We need to test for audio clipping.
💡 What is audio clipping? Audio clipping is a form of distortion. If your audio source is too loud, the audio will distort.Adjust the volume of your audio source (if possible) so the waveform shown on the right of the audio recording screen is just below the red section.
5. Once you’re happy, hit record and that’s it!
Speed 5 to 6
Here’s another excellent method for capturing high quality audio. You can even combine this with the above technique for a home theatre surround sound experience, right on Flipnote Studio*.
*Not really, but almost…
You will need:
- – .mp3 file of the audio you want to use
- – Audio editing software (we recommend Audacity)
- – Your DSi, 2DS, or 3DS
Here’s how it works:
1. Acquire an .mp3 file of the audio you wish to record and import it into your audio editing software.
2. Slow down the audio to 50% speed and save it as a new file. In Audacity, you can achieve this by navigating to Effect > Change Speed.
3. Use the Sock on Mic technique outlined above, but make sure you record the slowed down audio at Speed 5.
4. Once you’ve finished recording, change your Flipnote’s speed to Speed 6, and you’re done!
TRRS Splitter (Requires a 2DS or 3DS Console)
Get ready, you’re about to be blown away with this technique. You can even combine it with the Speed 5 to 6 technique for superior sound quality.
You will need:
- – CTIA compliant TRRS Splitter
- – A PC or Laptop
- – A 2DS or 3DS system (this will not work on a DSi system)
Here’s how it works:
1. Find a TRRS splitter that is CTIA compliant (not OMTP). We use the Rockit Audio Splitter (affiliate link) and it works great.
2. Start off by plugging the splitter into your console.
3. Now, plug in a regular TRS AUX cable into the microphone port of the splitter. On our splitter, this port is clearly cabled with a microphone symbol.
4. Finally, plug the other end of the TRS AUX cable into your PC or laptop. This may also work with a phone or tablet, but we haven’t seemed to get that to work with our setup.
5. On your computer, play some audio and see if your console picks it up. If successful, you’ll see the waveform moving to the music. If not, check your connections, try a different TRS AUX cable, or try a different TRRS splitter.
💡 What’s going on here?
Basically, we’ve tricked our console into thinking our computer is a microphone. Anything (audio wise) we output from the computer will be received by the console.
6. Adjust the volume on your computer so the audio doesn’t clip. On our system, volume 4 to 6 works best, your mileage may vary, however.
7. Use the Speed 5 to 6 technique outlined above and hit record. Make sure the slowed down audio is playing from your computer and being received by your console.
8. Once recorded, un-plug the cable from your console and set the Flipnote’s speed to Speed 6, and that’s it!
Any questions, comments, or concerns?
We’re all ears! Let us know via Discord or Support Email.