New Feature: Recording using the VoiceMap app

You can now record your tour audio in the VoiceMap app using your smartphone, with every step fully integrated into Mapmaker.

With this new feature, we’ve streamlined the recording process and made it easier for you to record your audio directly and troubleshoot any potential problems. No more dealing with separate recording devices or apps. No more moving between recording software and your script – whether it’s on a second screen or printed out. And no more downloading files, renaming them, and then uploading them to Mapmaker. Everything happens in one place, right on your phone.

The recorder is currently available only in the mobile app. We’re still fine-tuning it, so we’re keen to hear your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below.

Record Like a Pro, Right from Your Phone

You’ll find the recorder in the Create section of the app. Tap the microphone icon at the bottom of your screen, look for your tour in the Production section, and select Record Sample.

The recorder puts everything you need in one place:

  • You’ll see your script on the screen, so you can read along as you record
  • At the same time, you can record your audio using the recording features

What the Recorder Looks Like

Here are some examples of what you can expect from the interface, with more detail on the key features below.

Image 1: The recorder screen, with the script at the top and recording features at the bottom

Image 2: The first recording step in the app, before the sample has been uploaded. You can see the status of the location next to the word count.

Image 3: The recording steps, where the sample has been approved and the first and second locations have been recorded and uploaded.

Key features

When using the recorder, you can:

  • Start and stop the script prompter easily by tapping on the script area, or scroll manually
  • Use the size and speed controls to adjust your script
  • Pause and resume recordings as many times as you like
  • Tap Restart if you’ve made a mistake and want to re-record a location
  • Upload your recording to your editor with one tap when finished

The recording process

The interface guides you through the process step by step – with available actions highlighted in color, while steps you can’t take yet stay greyed out.

Before recording your full tour, you’ll need to complete a sample recording:

  1. Click on the red speaker icon next to Sample Required
  2. The script from your first location will appear in the prompter
  3. When you’re ready, tap Record and read the first minute of your script
  4. After finishing, tap Upload to submit your recording
  5. You’ll receive a notification email and feedback from your editor once they’ve listened to your sample
  6. Your editor might ask you to record a second sample. If they do, they’ll provide feedback on how to improve the audio quality and delivery.

Once your editor has approved your sample, you’re all set to record the rest of your tour locations.

For a more detailed outline of how to use the recorder, have a look at our documentation.

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Recording tips from the community
I’m adding any tips and suggestions that we get from publishers who have used the recorder here. If you have any, please share them below.

  • Make sure to put your phone in Do not disturb mode when recording, to avoid alert sounds popping up while recording