iTalk app | Cost: Free (with ads) or Premium version: $1.99 (no ads), for iPhone and iPad.
This app is the perfect solution when recording audio of your or your students’ playing. In many cases, I record video of my students playing during piano lessons; but sometimes I want only audio, so that I can get better quality or so I can more easily email it.
The iPhone/iPad comes pre-installed with a Voice Memos app, so you might be wondering about the advantages of iTalk. There are two:
- Higher audio quality (AIFF files), and
- Convenience (transferring/syncing files).
The quality of the sound recording is far better using iTalk versus the Voice Memos app. When you open the iTalk app, it allows you to name the recording and then select between Good, Better, or Best recording quality (11.025, 22.05, or 44.10 kHz sample rates). On the iPhone 4 (and probably 5), there is an auto-noise cancellation feature (so you won’t get as much room noise). Pushing the big red button starts the recording. After recording, you can browse your list of recordings, play them back, or email a file.
Sending/Transferring Files
iTalk allows you to email your files from within the app, providing it’s under 2MB.
You can also transfer files to your computer using Griffin’s iTalk Sync software (which can handle larger files). This free software allows you to drag files from your iPhone/iPad to your computer when both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
A third option is to sync the files to your computer using iTunes File Sharing.
The premium version of this app also allows you to transfer your recordings from iTalk using Dropbox or share your recordings on SoundCloud.
Be sure to take a moment to check out iTalk and consider adding it to your arsenal of teaching apps! You can learn more at the iTalk Support page or iTalk’s page in the iTunes store.
Thank you so much for sharing info about this app – it sounds invaluable! I also like to record myself when I’m messing around on the piano and come up with a musical idea I don’t want to forget.
I’d love to read a post about your favorite apps for note reading practice. I have referred students to Tenuto, but I don’t think it’s compatible with everything and it isn’t really kid friendly.
I love the NoteWorks app (for iPad only) for note reading. Read my full review here.
I also really like the Music Flash Class app. It’s just like flashcards, only digital and more fun!
Thanks, Joy! I’m sure these are going to be great suggestions.
This sounds like a great app. Thanks for clarifying the ways it is different than the built in voice recorder. I’m going to check this one out today!
Is this available for iPad?? I cannot find it anywhere in my App store. Is there another app you could recommend for iPad to record students lessons? Thanks
According to the iTalk page in the iTunes store (click the link at the beginning of the post), this app is compatible for the iPad. 🙂
thanks.. I still cannot find it but my daughter is the ipod wizard and will be here this weekend to help me.
Hello:
How do I transfer audio from computer to iphone with italk app? Can I do with USB connection? Please send e-mail to [email protected]
Please visit the Support page on iTalk’s website — you’ll find more information there!
Whats the longest (time duration) that you have recorded? I read some reviews that 2mb is the longest it will allow you to record or is that just to send?
Thanks