Oral History Recording

Make a reservation for equipment, stop by Lib. 2309, or call (360) 867-6253.
Bring your Evergreen ID with the current quarter sticker.
Test and confirm all equipment is in working order before leaving Media Loan.
Provide your own fresh batteries. Media Loan does NOT supply them for the recorders.
Your checkout should include:

Audio recorder
Headphones – mini adapter only
Microphone(s) appropriate to your recording situation - microphone recommendations
Extra mic cables, stands, converter cables

Media Loan has SEVERE LATE FINES. Return equipment on time, or call to make a renewal.

Make a test recording prior to your scheduled interview to make sure you are comfortable using the recorder. Start with fresh batteries.
Secure a signed talent release from the person you’re interviewing. Be sure to include in the wording of the release possible college archival use.
Select a controlled and quiet recording location. Avoid noisy public locations (like restaurants, or areas near a road). If possible, eliminate background noises (turn off stereos, TV’s, fans, air circulation vents). A room with carpeting and furniture will typically sound better than one with hard floors (too much echo).
Check record levels. Improve the quality of the recording by adjusting the mic placement either closer, or further away from the sound source. Always wear headphones to monitor volume levels as well watch the volume meters on the recorder. Ideal recordings will have clearly audible audio, while not being too loud so that it is distorted (going into the red on the audio recorder meters). What you hear is what you get. Shock mounts and stands are great to reduce mic handling noise.
Confirm you are recording. Make sure the record light comes on, that the clock numbers are counting and audio levels are moving up and down.
Tag the recording. Start each recording by stating the date, time, location, your name, and the name of your interviewee for proper archiving and cataloging of this work.

Copy files from the audio recorder to a computer as you would from a USB drive. Protect the privacy of your recordings by deleting all files on the recorder before returning equipment to Media Loan.
Backup the original audio files from the recorder to your program network drive. DO NOT USE SPECIAL CHARACTERS IN FILE NAMES (‘!#$*&%).
When working with files in an audio editing program like Audacity, create a copy of the originals to be able to revert back if necessary.

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