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SOSC 3800

Prep

Part 1

1.1 Audio Recording

Common mistakes 1. Overestimating physical range of mic 2. Underestimating audible range of mic 3. Clipping (distorting) audio beyond repair Understanding mic limitations: Entourage (coarse language)

Concept Description Representation Recommendations
Reverb Reflection of sound waves back to origin/input; more instant and indistinct N/A 1. Distance from hard, flat surfaces
2. Cover hard, flat surfaces with soft, irregular ones (towels, blankets, etc)
Echo Reflection of sound waves back to origin/input; more delayed and distict N/A 1. Avoid very large spaces
Volume Measurement of loudness Decibels (dB) 1. Use optimal mic placement (1-2 hand spaces from mouth)
2. Adjust input volume for general peaks of -12 to -10dB
Gain Measurement of change to volume Decibels (dB) 1. Use optimal mic placement (1-2 hand spaces from mouth)
2. Adjust input gain for volume peaks of -12 to -10dB
Channel Input/output path for audio stream (lane in road)
  • Mono: One channel
  • Stereo: Two channels
  • Surround: Four or more channels
 1. Mono for each person, or
2. Stereo for each person

Suggested Equipment

One person
  1. Wired USB desktop mic and computer, or
  2. Wireless/wearable mic system and computer/phone/recorder, or
  3. Standalone recorder, or
  4. MMCL studio space
Two people
  1. Separate wired USB desktop mics and separate computers, or
  2. Wireless/wearable mic system (two transmitters, one receiver) and computer/phone/recorder, or
  3. Standalone recorder (with built-in mic) and external mic (XLR or ¼ in), or
  4. MMCL studio space
Three people
  1. Separate wired USB desktop mics and separate computers, or
  2. Separate wireless/wearable mic systems (two transmitters, one receiver) and separate computers/phones/recorders, or
  3. Standalone recorder (with built-in mic) and external mics (XLR or ¼ in), or
  4. Audio-board and separate external mics, or
  5. MMCL studio space

General Tips

  1. Look up, look down, look all around
    • Hard, flat surfaces (walls, floors, ceilings, furniture) affect recording through reverb
  2. Put mic close, though not too close
    • People: 1-2 hand spaces from mouth
  3. Adjust input settings and test
    • People: -12 to -10 dB volume peaks
    • Use standby/preview mode of device or make test recording
  4. Recording some silence (3-5 sec) before and after
  5. If possible, have secondary recording device
    • People: Clap at beginning to make editing (synching) easier
  6. Scripts: Use digital notes instead of paper notes
  7. Interviews: Ask interviewee to incorporate questions into answers
  8. Dialogue: Mistakes--stop, pause (2-3 sec), and re-start sentences as needed

1.2. Audio Editing (Audacity)

  1. Consider semi-scripted format
  2. Adjust volume of recorded files as needed
    • Primary audio (dialogue): -12 to -6 dB for general volume peaks
    • Secondary audio (music, effects): -24 to -18 dB for general volume peaks
  3. Incorporate sounds for flourish
  4. Leave pauses between utterances

Audio Recording and Audio Editing with Audacity (Part 2)

3. Resources

Tools

Tutorials (by MMCL)

Music & Sounds (cost-free)

Examples

  • ESPN: Sports talk (discussion/debate)

Making & Media Creation Lab

Procedures

Contacts

  • Making & Media Creation Lab (Keele campus, Scott Library)
  • Sydney Daley, MMCL Coordinator (Keele campus)
  • Tim Huynh, DSI Librarian (Keele campus)
  • Sean Sweeney, Creative Media and Digital Technologies Coordinator (Markham campus)
  • Website