Whether recording a lecture, an interview, or a concert, making digital recordings can be a simple and easy endeavor, provided you have the right tools.
Recording device:
Depending on what type of production you intend to create, a suitable recording device could be a digital voice recorder, USB microphone, or even an iPod equipped with a microphone. A digital voice recorder can be a convenient portable tool to invest in, but you may wish to consult us to make sure you get one that will fit your needs and be compatible with your system. (Only a few work well with Macs in particular.)
Editing Software:
The Instructional Media Lab supports and promote two basic audio editing programs in the Instructional Media Lab: Apple’s GarageBand (for Mac) and the open source tool Audacity (for Windows/Mac/Linux). Both software packages are relatively low threshold and easy to get started with. GarageBand comes pre-installed on recent Apple computers and Audacity is a free download. We have guides for both of these tools online (Audacity / GarageBand) and also offer workshops on each.
Setting:
Next, you’ll want to consider the setting. Are you recording a lecture or conducting an interview? If you are trying to capture a single voice in a large open space, you should consider recording devices that allow you to eliminate as much background noise as possible. Wireless lapel microphones that can clip onto one’s collar are optimal for this type of setting. Uni-directional microphones are a good option, but you’ll want to be conscious of your distance from the speaker; the closer the better. If you’re conducting an interview or creating your own podcast, look for a quiet place with as little background noise as possible. For conversations between 2 to 10 people, use an omni-directional microphone, such as the BlueMic Snowball Microphone. These mics are capable of picking up 360 degrees of sound, which can enhance the quality of your recording
Recording Tips:
If you’re recording yourself, speak slowly and clearly. Don’t worry about fumbling your words. Just take a pause and re-say what you originally intended, you can always edit out the “bad take” later. Hardly anything comes out perfectly the first time, and with today’s editing software, you can easily splice together “good takes” to produce a seamless audio file.A basic rule of thumb for editing is to import as much audio as possible onto your computer. That way you’ll have a large buffer for editing, trimming, and fading when you need to. Always be aware of your volume level and go slow. Editing takes much more time than many people expect, so budget your time, relax, and have fun!
Image Credit: Josh Bancroft via Flickr, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.