Convert your documents into MP3s for free using Windows XP
As ebooks are becoming very popular, more and more people want the ability to convert their documents into MP3s. There is a very easy way to do this using free software.
The process of converting documents from text into MP3 format requires one application to “read” the document while another application “records” the speech from the first application. I will walk you through the process below.
The first step is to download “MP3 My MP3 2.0.” Download it from Download.com. MP3 My Mp3 is very useful because it enables you to record sound directly from your sound card (i.e., without needing a microphone, and with the speakers muted).
The second step is to find an application that will read your documents out loud. There are two applications that I use (in different situations) to accomplish this task. For PDF files, Adobe Reader 8 has a feature called “Read out loud” which reads your documents. Download Adobe Reader 8 here. For all other documents I use the Opera browser. Download the Opera browser here. I will walk you through the process of converting Microsoft Word documents and PDF documents to MP3 below.
Turn a PDF into an MP3
1. Open your PDF document (I will cover word documents below) using Adobe Reader.
2. Open MP3 My MP3.
3. Set the “Source” on MP3 My MP3 to record from “Stereo Mix” (shown below).
4. Open your PDF using Adobe Reader and select View >> Read Out Loud >> Activate Read Out Loud.
5. Start recording in MP3 My MP3 and then chose “Read to End of Document” in Adobe Reader. After the document has been completely read, stop recording in MP3 My MP3 and you will have an MP3 of your document.
Note: Since MP3 My MP3 records directly from your sound card you can mute your speakers and it will still create the MP3.
Turn other documents into MP3
1. Open your document using the appropriate program (i.e., Microsoft Word for a .doc).
2. Open Notepad.
3. In your document type “CTRL + A” to select all and copy the entire document to the clipboard and paste it into Notepad.
4. Save your document in Notepad with a .TXT extension (i.e. “SomeDoc.TXT”).
5. Set the “Source” on MP3 My MP3 to record from “Stereo Mix” (shown below).
6. Start recording MP3 My MP3 and open your document using Opera and type “CTRL + A” to select all and then right click and choose “Speak.”
6. After the document has been completely read, stop recording in MP3 My MP3 and you will have an MP3 of your document.
Note: Since MP3 My MP3 records directly from your sound card you can mute your speakers and it will still create the MP3.
Read more: Uncategorized, Software, Windows, Productivity
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Comments
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I downloaded the mymp3 but I didn’t get the ability to chose source ad chose Stereo Mix. I can only select volume. I also download the PDF software, however when I select view I can not activate the read file. What did I do wrong?
Tony -
I have a Mac OSX and I havn’t been able to download Mp3 my Mp3. Doo you know what I’m doing wrong?
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