The StoryCorps App
The StoryCorps App is free to download to a smartphone and allows you to record in person with your interview partner and upload your conversation to the StoryCorps Archive. Watch the video below for a quick introduction on how to use the App from StoryCorps Founder Dave Isay.
Tools: Recording via the StoryCorps App
What you’ll need to record:
- A smartphone (Apple iPhone or Android) with the latest version of the StoryCorps App downloaded from the App Store, Google Play, or Amazon Store.
- A free StoryCorps account. If you’ve used our App, Archive, or Connect before, you can log in using that same account. Find out more about how to sign up here.
- Wifi connection (recommended) in order to upload and share your recording with the StoryCorps Archive.
The StoryCorps App prompts users in English, however, you may record in any language.
Be sure to read our Terms of Use and Community Guidelines before you get started. Please note that children under the age of 13 may not use StoryCorps’s digital platforms, and parental consent is required for people under the age of 18 to register for a StoryCorps Archive account.
Recording Steps:
The StoryCorps App will guide you through the interview experience and help you to record high-quality conversations to upload to the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress and to the StoryCorps Archive at http://archive.storycorps.org.
Walk through a step-by-step tutorial with images here, and visit our Help Center for more detailed instructions and FAQ’s.
Here are the basic steps to record:
1. Download the StoryCorps App
Download the StoryCorps App to your mobile device and create a free account. You’ll use the account to prepare, record, archive, and share all of your StoryCorps interviews. You can also browse our public archive and listen to stories others have shared.
2. Choose a Partner, Find a Quiet Place to Record, and Prepare Your Questions
To prepare in the app, Click on the microphone icon on the bottom of your screen and choose “Prepare My Interview.” A checklist will appear.
Enter a title for your interview. (You’ll have the option to change it later). For example “Katharine Wright interviews her brothers, Wilbur and Orville Wright, about flying for the first time.”
Read through the preparation steps and check off each one as you go:
- Choose the person you would like to interview, and invite them to record. Let them know you would like to add your conversation to the collection at the Library of Congress.
- Decide when and where you would like to record. A quiet, cozy room with a door and rug is best.
- Choose the questions you would like to ask. (The App will provide you options!)
- Before your record, turn off everything noisy in your room. (TVs, fans, radios, etc).
- When you record, hold your phone a fist’s distance away from your interview partner’s mouth. Do the same for yourself when you are speaking.
- Remember that future generations will one day listen to this conversation. Ask the questions you’ve always wanted to ask and enjoy!
Click “Next” to prepare your questions. Look through the suggested questions lists and choose what you would like to ask. You can add your own questions by typing them in the “My Custom Questions Box” and then “Review Your Questions” to see your list.
3. Record Your Conversation!
Press the Microphone button to start your recording! You will see the timer start. You can record up to 45 minutes at one time.
To get started, follow the prompt on the screen to introduce yourself, and invite your partner to do the same: “My name is [name]. I am [age] years old. Today is [date], and I’m speaking with [partner’s name] who is my [relationship]
If you’ve chosen questions ahead of time, swipe left to see your questions.
When you’re finished, click “End” and confirm that you want to end and save your recording. Your recording is not saved until you do this.
4. Save Your Recording: Add a Photo, Title, and Keywords
After you save your recording, you’ll be prompted to add a photo of you and your partner, as well as a title, description, and keywords to your interview. Titles should be a quick description to help you keep track of your interviews. Keywords are like hashtags, making it easier for others to find and listen to your interview in our collection now and in future generations!
5. Archive and Share Your Interview
Once you’ve finished, you can upload your conversation to the StoryCorps Online Archive (archive.storycorps.org) and have it archived at the Library of Congress. If you prefer to keep your interview private, you can choose to only save the interview to your device, and then share your file directly with family and friends.
Learn More
For troubleshooting tips and detailed instructions on how to prepare, record, archive, and share your recording, visit our Help Center at support.storycorps.org. If you have more questions, email our support team at [email protected].