Difference between revisions of "Oral History Recording"

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=== Media Loan Checklist: ===
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=== Media Loan Checklist ===
  
*Make a reservation for equipment, stop by Lib. 2309, or call (360) 867-6253.  
+
#Make a reservation for equipment, stop by Lib. 2309, or call (360) 867-6253.  
*Bring your Evergreen ID with the current quarter sticker.  
+
#Bring your Evergreen ID with the current quarter sticker.  
*Test and confirm all equipment is in working order before leaving Media Loan. 
+
#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.  
+
#Provide your own fresh batteries. Media Loan does NOT supply them for the recorders.  
*Your checkout should include:
+
#Your checkout should include:  
<blockquote>
+
*Digital Voice Recorder / Marantz Flash Recorder / Zoom Flash Recorder
+
*Headphones – mini adapter only
+
*Microphone(s) appropriate to your recording situation:  
+
  
{| width="600" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
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*Audio recorder
|+ Suggested Media Loan Microphones with Digital Voice Recorders
+
*Headphones – mini adapter only
|-
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*Microphone(s) appropriate to your recording situation - [[Microphone Recommendations|microphone recommendations]]
| MOT Stereo Mic
+
*Extra mic cables, stands, converter cables
| Place between two people to get a stereo recording
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| Requires a battery
+
|-
+
| MOE Omni Lavalier (clip on mic)
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| Good for isolating just the interviewee
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| Clips on shirt- requires a battery
+
|-
+
| MCP Soundgrabber
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| Useful for placing on table surfaces and picking up surrounding noises
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| Ask for 1/8 “ adapter
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|-
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| colspan="3" width="50" height="50" align="center" valign="middle" |
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[http://www.evergreen.edu/medialoan/docs/audio_micbasics.pdf Media Loan microphone guide]
+
  
Use any other regular mic combined with a Hi-Lo adapter to make it mini connector compatible
+
<br> ''Media Loan has SEVERE LATE FINES. Return equipment on time, or call to make a renewal.''
  
|}
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=== Recording Checklist ===
</blockquote> <blockquote>
+
Media Loan has SEVERE LATE FINES. Return equipment on time, or call to make a renewal
+
</blockquote>
+
  
=== Recording Checklist: ===
+
#'''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).<br>
 +
#'''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.&nbsp; 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.<br>
  
#Make a test recording prior to your scheduled interview to make sure you are comfortable using the recorder. Start with fresh batteries.
+
=== Steps for Saving Interview Files ===
#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.
+
#Pick your recording location carefully! The quality of the recording is directly affected by 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). Remember, what you hear in the headphones is what is being recorded.
+
#&nbsp;Slate each recording session Slating involves recording the date, time, location, your name, and the name of your interviewee. This is especially important for proper archiving and cataloguing of oral history work.
+
#Check record levels. Improve the quality of your recording by adjusting external mic placement either closer, or further away from the source and watch the level meters to confirm if the recording is going to be loud enough that the content is audible, while still not being too loud so that it is distorted (going into the red). Always wear headphones to monitor sound quality, and remember, what you hear is what you get. Shock mounts and stands are also great.
+
#Confirm you are actually recording by watching the record light come on, and seeing recording numbers rolling past zero with audio levels moving up and down.<br>
+
  
=== Steps for Saving Interview Files: ===
+
#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 [[File Space Overview|program network drive]]. DO NOT USE SPECIAL CHARACTERS IN FILE NAMES (‘!#$*&amp;%).
 +
#When working with files in an audio editing program like [[Audacity|Audacity]], create a copy of the originals to be able to revert back if necessary.<br>
  
#Save your original audio files from the recorder in your Program networked drive (you’ll receive specific instructions from faculty), creating a personal folder named with your first and last name. DO NOT USE SPECIAL CHARACTERS IN FILE NAMES (‘!#$*&amp;%).
+
==See Also==
#When working with files in a program like Audacity, make a copy of your originals to be able to revert to the original if needed.<br>
+
  
[[Category:Audio_Editing]] [[Category:Multimedia_Lab]]
+
*[http://www.evergreen.edu/medialoan/ Media Loan]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.evergreen.edu/medialoan/docs/audio_olympusdvr.pdf Digital Voice Recorder Handout]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.evergreen.edu/medialoan/docs/audio_zoomh4n.pdf Zoom Recorder Handout]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.evergreen.edu/medialoan/aps/docs/releaseform.pdf Talent Release Form]
 +
 
 +
[[category:Audio Production]]

Latest revision as of 11:07, 3 March 2022

Media Loan Checklist

  1. Make a reservation for equipment, stop by Lib. 2309, or call (360) 867-6253.
  2. Bring your Evergreen ID with the current quarter sticker.
  3. Test and confirm all equipment is in working order before leaving Media Loan.
  4. Provide your own fresh batteries. Media Loan does NOT supply them for the recorders.
  5. 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.

Recording Checklist

  1. Make a test recording prior to your scheduled interview to make sure you are comfortable using the recorder. Start with fresh batteries.
  2. 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.
  3. 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).
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

Steps for Saving Interview Files

  1. 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.
  2. Backup the original audio files from the recorder to your program network drive. DO NOT USE SPECIAL CHARACTERS IN FILE NAMES (‘!#$*&%).
  3. 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.

See Also