Difference between revisions of "Radical Amazement - Zoom Recorders"

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==Media Loan==
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== Media Loan ==
* [http://www.evergreen.edu/medialoan www.evergreen.edu/medialoan Media Loan Website]
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* Located in 2504, past the Library and Computer Center entrances.
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*[http://www.evergreen.edu/medialoan www.evergreen.edu/medialoan]  
* Bring ID card with current quarter sticker to checkout equipment.
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*Bring your Evergreen ID with the current quarter sticker.
* Reserve equipment in advance, check open hours.
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*Make a reservation for equipment, stop by Lib. 2504, or call (360) 867-6253.
* Test equipment before leaving
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*Test and confirm all equipment is in working order before leaving Media Loan.
* Late fees, renewals, and appeals process.  
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*Media Loan has SEVERE LATE FINES. Return equipment on time, or call to make a renewal. Follow up with an appeal form to negate late fines.
 +
 
 
  Late Fines assessed daily, per item
 
  Late Fines assessed daily, per item
 
  Equipment valued over $250 — $20.00 per day
 
  Equipment valued over $250 — $20.00 per day
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  Keys and all equipment and accessories valued over $50 — $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
 
  Equipment and accessories valued under $50 — $5.00 per day
 
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* [http://www.evergreen.edu/medialoan/docs/audio_micbasics.pdf Media Loan Microphone Guide]
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*[http://www.evergreen.edu/medialoan/docs/audio_microphones.pdf Media Loan Microphone Guide]  
* [http://www.evergreen.edu/medialoan/docs/audio_zoomh4n.pdf Media Loan Zoom Recorder Guide]
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*[http://www.evergreen.edu/medialoan/docs/audio_zoomh4n.pdf Media Loan Zoom Recorder Guide]
 
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==Sound==
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* Sound is measured in cycles per second or Hertz (Hz).
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* Human hearing is 20Hz to  20kHz.
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==Microphones==
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* A microphone converts acoustic energy to electrical energy
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===Microphone Types===
 
===Microphone Types===
* Condenser Mics
 
** More sensitive to higher frequencies and fast transients.
 
** Needs power.  Batteries in microphone.
 
 
* Dynamic Mics
 
* Dynamic Mics
** Rugged
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** Can withstand louder noises, rugged pickup elements.
** Can take high sound levels
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** No power needed
** No power needed.
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* Condenser Mics
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** More sensitive to quieter noises, and more delicate pickup elements.
 +
** Needs power supplied through a battery, or through phantom power on zoom recorder.
  
===Microphone Patterns===
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===Microphone Pickup Patterns===
 
* Omni: picks up sound from all directions.
 
* Omni: picks up sound from all directions.
 
* Cardioid: picks up sound from front:
 
* Cardioid: picks up sound from front:
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* Super-Cardioid: Picks up from front with a narrower pattern.
 
* Super-Cardioid: Picks up from front with a narrower pattern.
  
===Microphones===
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===Microphones Categories===
 
* Handheld
 
* Handheld
* lavaliereSmall mic which clamps to clothing.
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* Lavalieresmall clip-on attaches to clothing for vocal only recording.
* Shotgun:  Long mic.  Picks up sound from with an extremely narrow pattern.
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===Connector Types===
 
===Connector Types===
# XLR = Needed for Marantz
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# XLR = used at the bottom of the recorder for an external microphone (1 & 2).
# Mini = will not work with Marantz.
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# Mini or 1/8 inch = will not work with zoom.
  
 
===Mic Usage Tips===
 
===Mic Usage Tips===
* Use a stand if possible.
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* Use a stand if possible to reduce noise (table, or floor)
 
* Listen for:
 
* Listen for:
 
** handling noise
 
** handling noise
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** popped p's
 
** popped p's
  
==Marantz Recorder==
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===Media Loan Shopping List===
Digital audio recorder that records to memory cards. 
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*Zoom recorder
 +
*Mic cables
 +
*Headphones
 +
*Extension cables
 +
*Desk stand, floor stand, microphone handle
 +
*Microphones:
 +
**Recommended for vocal recording > SM-58, SM-57, Sennheiser 421, ECM-50 Lavolier
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*Extra AA batteries
  
* Format memory card before use.
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==Zoom Recorder==
* Record Settings: Review settings on [http://www.evergreen.edu/medialoan/docs/audio_marantzpmd660.pdf handout]
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Digital audio recorder that records to flash memory cardsNo 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 [http://www.evergreen.edu/medialoan/docs/audio_zoomh4n.pdf Zoom Recorder Guide]
  
'''Notes'''
 
* Batteries!!!
 
* Always record as PCM.
 
* Mono vs Stereo
 
* Setting Levels: Do not hit zero on the meter.
 
* Always have headphones.
 
* Record room tone.
 
* USB Mode
 
  
 
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===Recording Checklist for Single Narrator Recording===
===Recording Exercise===
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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).
 +
# Plug in to ac power, or use fresh AA batteris. Confirm stamina switch inside battery compartment is off.
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#Turn on recorder
 
# Format card
 
# Format card
# Connect 1 mic to recorder.
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# Plug in headphones
# Set to record to PCM, 48kHZ, mono, manual record levels.
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# Connect an external mic to recorder, press 1/2 button on the front panel. If using a condensor mic turn on Phantom Power (+48v)
# Connect headphones.
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# Set to record to WAV, 48kHZ, mono, manual record levels
# Make a test recording
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# Set the mode to Stereo
## Press '''Rec''' Pause
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# Confirm all filter settings are turned off
## Test mic
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# Make a test recording:
## Set levels
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## Press '''Rec''' button once - this will go in record pause mode
## Press '''Rec''' to start recording.
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## Test the microphone placement, confirm if you are hearing the built in mic, or the external, any crackles, or hums, room noise, too close, too far away from the sound source?
 +
## Set levels - record level controls on the right of the recorder. Levels should be the loudest around -12dB
 +
## Press '''Rec''' to start recording (counter will be running, record light will be solid)
 
## Listen on headphones
 
## Listen on headphones
 
## Press '''Stop''' to stop recording
 
## Press '''Stop''' to stop recording
 
## Playback recording
 
## Playback recording
# Record some sounds
 
## Voices.
 
## Try different mics if available.
 
# Connect to computer and transfer sounds to computer.
 
# Copy files to Orca. 
 
  
'''Get proficiency sign in sheet.'''
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'''It is recommended to record some "room tone" to be able to insert any pauses needed later in post-production.""
  
 +
===Copying Files===
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# Connect the zoom recorder to ac power, connect provided USB cable to the computer.
 +
#Turn on the recorder, select USB mode.
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#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.
 +
#When finished click and drag the device icon to the trash before turning off the recorder.
 +
 +
'''Get proficiency sign in sheet.'''
  
 
  [[category:2011-2012]]
 
  [[category:2011-2012]]

Latest revision as of 15:09, 12 April 2012

Media Loan

  • www.evergreen.edu/medialoan
  • Bring your Evergreen ID with the current quarter sticker.
  • Make a reservation for equipment, stop by Lib. 2504, or call (360) 867-6253.
  • Test and confirm all equipment is in working order before leaving Media Loan.
  • Media Loan has SEVERE LATE FINES. Return equipment on time, or call to make a renewal. Follow up with an appeal form to negate late fines.
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

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:
    • Recommended for vocal recording > SM-58, SM-57, Sennheiser 421, ECM-50 Lavolier
  • 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


Recording Checklist for Single Narrator Recording

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).

  1. Plug in to ac power, or use fresh AA batteris. Confirm stamina switch inside battery compartment is off.
  2. Turn on recorder
  3. Format card
  4. Plug in headphones
  5. Connect an external mic to recorder, press 1/2 button on the front panel. If using a condensor mic turn on Phantom Power (+48v)
  6. Set to record to WAV, 48kHZ, mono, manual record levels
  7. Set the mode to Stereo
  8. Confirm all filter settings are turned off
  9. Make a test recording:
    1. Press Rec button once - this will go in record pause mode
    2. Test the microphone placement, confirm if you are hearing the built in mic, or the external, any crackles, or hums, room noise, too close, too far away from the sound source?
    3. Set levels - record level controls on the right of the recorder. Levels should be the loudest around -12dB
    4. Press Rec to start recording (counter will be running, record light will be solid)
    5. Listen on headphones
    6. Press Stop to stop recording
    7. Playback recording

It is recommended to record some "room tone" to be able to insert any pauses needed later in post-production.""

Copying Files

  1. Connect the zoom recorder to ac power, connect provided USB cable to the computer.
  2. Turn on the recorder, select USB mode.
  3. 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.
  4. When finished click and drag the device icon to the trash before turning off the recorder.

Get proficiency sign in sheet.