Record a sound
Record sounds using a smartphone or basic recorder, label and compare them, and explore pitch, volume, and source to learn about everyday noises.
Step-by-step guide to record and compare everyday sounds
DIY phonograph - sound recorder/player from aluminium foil and wood
Step 1
Gather your materials and put them on a table.
Step 2
Choose four small objects that make different sounds and bring them to your table.
Step 3
Put each object in a row in front of you.
Step 4
Pick a quiet spot in the house to do your recordings.
Step 5
Write the numbers 1 to 4 on sticky notes.
Step 6
Place one numbered sticky note next to each object.
Step 7
Draw a simple chart on your paper with four numbered rows 1 to 4.
Step 8
Open the voice recorder app on your phone or turn on your recorder.
Step 9
Put object number 1 into the box or bag.
Step 10
Press record on your device.
Step 11
Make one clear sound with object number 1 while it is in the box or bag.
Step 12
Stop the recording.
Step 13
Repeat steps 9 to 12 for objects numbered 2 3 and 4.
Step 14
Play back each recording one at a time and listen carefully to decide whether each sound is high or low in pitch and loud or soft in volume, then write your notes on the chart.
Step 15
Share your finished sound comparison and one sentence about what you learned on DIY.org.
Help!?
What can we use instead of sticky notes or the voice recorder app if those aren't available?
If you don't have sticky notes, cut small squares of paper and tape them next to each object for steps 4–6, and if you don't have the voice recorder app use a tablet, camera, or another phone's recorder for step 8.
My recordings sound muffled or too quiet—what should I check?
Check that you followed step 5 by choosing a quiet spot, that you actually pressed record and saw the recording indicator in step 10, put the box or bag opening close to the phone microphone before making the clear sound in step 11, and replay immediately after step 13 to confirm quality.
How can I change the activity for younger or older children?
For preschoolers, simplify by choosing two objects and having an adult do steps 8–12 while the child places objects and marks loud/soft with stickers on the chart, and for older kids add more objects, label pitch and amplitude on the chart, or use an audio editor after playback in step 13 to study waveforms before sharing on DIY.org.
How can we make the activity more challenging or creative after finishing the basic comparison?
Make it more challenging by testing different boxes or bags and noting changes during steps 9–12, timing each sound to add a duration column to your chart, or personalize it by decorating the objects and writing a longer reflection to post on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to record and compare everyday sounds
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Facts about sound and acoustics
🔊 Sound travels about 343 meters per second in air at room temperature and travels over 4 times faster in water.
🎵 Pitch is how high or low a sound is — humans hear roughly 20–20,000 Hz, while dogs can hear up to about 45,000 Hz.
📱 Smartphones and basic recorders save sounds as files (like WAV or MP3) so you can label, play back, and compare them.
🐦 Every noise starts with a vibration — strings, vocal cords, and speakers all make the air wiggle into sound waves.
🧠 Your brain figures out where a sound comes from by comparing tiny time and loudness differences between your two ears.
How do we do a sound‑recording activity with a child to explore everyday noises?
What materials do I need to record sounds and compare pitch and volume?
What ages is a sound recording and comparison activity suitable for?
What are the benefits, safety tips, and fun variations for a child sound‑recording project?
