Radical Amazement - Zoom Recorders

Media Loan

• www.evergreen.edu/medialoan
• Located in 2504, past the Library and Computer Center entrances.
• Bring ID card with current quarter sticker to checkout equipment.
• Reserve equipment in advance, check open hours.
• Test equipment before leaving
• Late fees, renewals, and appeals process.

Late Fines assessed daily, per item
Equipment valued over $250 — $20.00 per day
Equipment valued under $250 — $10.00 per day
Keys and all equipment and accessories valued over $50 — $10.00 per day
Equipment and accessories valued under $50 — $5.00 per day

• Media Loan Microphone Guide
• Media Loan Zoom Recorder Guide

Microphone Types

• Dynamic Mics
  • Can withstand louder noises, rugged pickup elements.
  • No power needed
• Condenser Mics
  • More sensitive to quieter noises, and more delicate pickup elements.
  • Needs power supplied through a battery, or through phantom power on zoom recorder.

Microphone Pickup Patterns

• Omni: picks up sound from all directions.
• Cardioid: picks up sound from front:
  • Proximity Effect: low frequencies are boosted as mic is closer to the source.
• Super-Cardioid: Picks up from front with a narrower pattern.

Microphones Categories

• Handheld
• Lavaliere: small clip-on attaches to clothing for vocal only recording.

Connector Types

1. XLR = used at the bottom of the recorder for an external microphone (1 & 2).
2. Mini or 1/8 inch = will not work with zoom.

Mic Usage Tips

• Use a stand if possible to reduce noise (table, or floor)
• Listen for:
  • handling noise
  • proximity effect
  • popped p's

Media Loan Shopping List

• Zoom recorder
• Mic cables
• Headphones
• Extension cables
• Desk stand, floor stand, microphone handle
• Microphones
• Extra AA batteries

Zoom Recorder

Digital audio recorder that records to flash memory cards. No moving parts. Copy files off just like using a USB drive.

• Format memory card before use, and before returning to Media Loan.
• Record Settings: Review settings on Zoom Recorder Guide

Notes

• Batteries!!!
• Always record as WAV.
• Mono vs Stereo
• Setting Levels: Do not hit zero on the meter.
• Always have headphones.
• Record room tone.
• USB Mode

Recording Exercise

1. Format card
2. Connect an external mic to recorder.
3. Set to record to WAV, 48kHZ, mono, manual record levels.
4. Connect headphones.
5. Make a test recording
   1. Press Rec Pause
   2. Test mic
   3. Set levels
   4. Press Rec to start recording.
   5. Listen on headphones
   6. Press Stop to stop recording
   7. Playback recording
6. Record some sounds
   1. Voices.
   2. Try different mics if available.
7. Connect to computer and transfer sounds to computer.
8. Copy files to Orca.

Get proficiency sign in sheet.