The steps below work on PC's running Microsoft Windows. (If you use an Apple Mac program like Garage Band, you will need to be sure the file is playable on a PC or some kind of mp3 player.)

Help files and forums are available on the Audacity web site:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/

Step 1: Installing Audacity

Step 2: Setting up microphone and sound

Step 3: Recording with Audacity

Step 4: Saving in Audacity

****The first time you save an Audacity file as an mp3 file you will be asked to locate the following file:

lame_enc.dll

RIGHT CLICK the file name above and save it to you Audacity folder. See the file above at Step 4 for more details. (This will happen the first time only.)