Recording Audio
Basic Jargon
- Sine Waves and Frequency:
https://youtu.be/jveKIYyafaQ?t=22s
- HERTZ (Hz): Cycles per second, the unit of measurement of frequency.
- INPUT: The connection going into an audio device. In a mixer or mixing console, a connector for a microphone, line-level device, or other signal source.
- LEVEL: The degree of intensity of an audio signal--the voltage, power, or sound pressure level. The original definition of level is the power in watts.
- LINE LEVEL: In balanced professional recording equipment, a signal whose level is approximately 1.23 volts (+4 dBm). In unbalanced equipment (most home hi-fi or semipro recording equipment), a signal whose level is approximately 0.316 volt (-10 dBV).
- MIC LEVEL: The level or voltage of a signal produced by a microphone, typically 2 millivolts.
- MONO, MONOPHONIC:Referring to a single channel of audio. A monophonic program can be played over one or more loudspeakers, or one or more headphones.
- MULTITRACK: Referring to a recorder or tape-recorder head that has more than two tracks.
- NOISE: Unwanted sound, such as hiss from electronics or tape. An audio signal with an irregular, non-periodic waveform.
- NONLINEAR: Referring to a storage medium in which any data point can be accessed or read almost instantly.
- OUTPUT: A connector in an audio device from which the signal comes, and feeds successive devices.
- OVERDUB: To record a new musical part on an unused track in synchronization with previously recorded tracks.
- PHANTOM POWER: A DC voltage (usually 12 to 48 volts) applied to microphone signal conductors to power condenser microphones.
- STEREO, STEREOPHONIC: An audio recording and reproduction system with correlated information between two channels (usually discrete channels), and meant to be heard over two or more loudspeakers to give the illusion of sound-source localization and depth.
- TAKE: A recorded performance of a song. Usually, several takes are done of the same song, and the best one--or the best parts of several--become the final product.
- VU METER: A voltmeter with a specified transient response, calibrated in VU or volume units, used to show the relative volume of various audio signals, and to set recording level.
Equipment Jargon
- DIRECTIONAL MICROPHONE (shotgun mic): A microphone that has different sensitivity in different directions. A unidirectional or bidirectional microphone.
- OMNIDIRECTIONAL MICROPHONE: A microphone that is equally sensitive to sounds arriving from all directions.
- STEREO MICROPHONE: A microphone containing two mic capsules in a single housing for convenient stereo recording. The capsules usually are coincident.
- DEAD CAT/WINDSCREEN/POP FILTER: A screen placed on or in front of a microphone grille that attenuates or filters out wind and pop disturbances before they strike the microphone diaphragm. Usually made of artificial hair, open-cell plastic foam or silk, a pop filter reduces pop and wind noise.
- BOOM STICK: A pole to which the microphone is attached to better position the microphone for cleaner audio recording.
More terminology available here - Glossary of Recording Terms
On Location Recording Techniques
Uses of On Location Recording
- Sound effects
- Ambient sounds
- Interviews with location context
- Journalistic recording
Basic Equipment Setup
Microphone
- Handheld - Interviews or journalism style (streeters)
- Directional (shotgun) - Ambient sounds or dialogue
- Lapel/Lavelier - Interviews or dialogue
Headphones
- plugged into recording device to monitor input levels and background noises
Audio Recorder
- iPhone using recording app with VU meters
- Voice Memos (built into iOS)
- Voice Record Pro (lots of file and quality options)
- DAT recorder (very expensive)
- MiniDisk recorder (nearly obsolete)
- Zoom H4N Digital Multitrack Recorder ($200)
- Android Recording apps also available...LMGTFY
Peripheral
- 3.5mm Audio Jack to Headphone Microphone Splitter Converter Adaptor
Techniques and Tips
- When using your mobile device as a recorder be sure to turn on airplane mode to avoid any interruptions during recording.
- Use headphones to monitor the input levels and background noises (you'll need a compatible splitter if you're using an external mic).
- Choose a quiet location.
- Point the mic away from external noises.
- Get the mic as close to your subject as possible
- Avoid handling the mic during recording as movement on the boom pole or recording device can cause unwanted noise.
- try and constantly monitor the VU meter or levels of your input.
- Stop the recording if noise becomes excessive (i.e. airplanes, buses, crowds of people).
Studio Recording
Uses of Studio Recording
- Podcasting
- Interviews
- Voiceovers
- Narration
Basic Equipment Setup
Microphone
- USB Desktop Mic (less chance of bumping or handling noise)
- Handheld mic
- Lapel/Lavelier
Headphones
- plugged into recording device to monitor input levels avoid feedback through computer speakers.
Audio Recorder
- Computer running recording software such as Audacity or Garageband
- iPhone using recording app with VU meters
- Voice Memos (built into iOS)
- Voice Record Pro (lots of file and quality options)
- DAT recorder (very expensive)
- MiniDisk recorder (nearly obsolete)
- Zoom H4N Digital Multitrack Recorder ($200)
- Android Recording apps also available...LMGTFY
Peripheral for Mobile Devices
- 3.5mm Audio Jack to Headphone Microphone Splitter Converter Adaptor
Techniques and Tips
- When using your mobile device as a recorder be sure to turn on airplane mode to avoid any interruptions during recording.
- Use headphones to monitor the input levels and background noises (you'll need a compatible splitter if you're using an external mic on a mobile device).
- Choose a quiet location.
- Point the mic away from external noises.
- Get the mic as close to your subject as possible
- Avoid handling the mic during recording as movement on the boom pole or recording device can cause unwanted noise.
- try and constantly monitor the VU meter or levels of your input.
- Turn off phone ringers in your home.
- Turn down your furnace so that it does not kick in while recording.
- Stop the recording if noise becomes excessive (i.e. kids, husbands, roommates, alien invasions).
Capturing Audio in Audacity
The Setup
- Inputs
- System Preferences (Mac)
- Audacity Preferences > Devices
- Audacity Workspace
- Levels (start monitoring)
- Project Rate (Hz)
- 44.1 kHz CD quality digital audio
- Mono or Stereo recording
Record Your Genius
- Hit Red Round Record button and tart yackin'
- Hit Yellow Square Stop button to stop recording
Name Thy Genius or Delete That Which Was Not Genius
- Click on the Audio Track name at the start of track and then choose Name from drop down menu.
- Or to delete the recording, Click the X beside the Audio Track name.
Save
- File > Save Project will create a folder of strange and wonderful "Audacity" files including a .aup file.
- For a usable audio file to embed on a website or play in iTunes select File > Export Audio and then select a format from the Format dropdown menu.
File Formats
- AIFF - Large uncompressed file
- WAV - Large uncompressed file
- MP3 - Compressed and more compatible with mobile audio devices
Metadata
Audacity gives you the option of entering metadata that audio readers can read. A good place for your Creative Commons licensing info and Attribution info.
Here is a video of Dr. Jay Wilson of Curriculum Studies going through this same demo for his ETAD 803 students - https://youtu.be/SEtIukYZmEw