Instructor: Barbara Lattanzi

AUDIO RECORDING

[ revised Fall 2005]

Audio recording with the Sony minidisc recorder and hand-held stereo microphone.

You will supply:

• one blank minidisc for recording (for sale at Center for Media Production, among other places).
• 2 AA batteries (one for the recorder and one for the microphone) (NOTE: if there is a rechargeable battery in the recorder, then you will only need to supply a battery for the microphone.)
• headphones or earplugs for listening to what you record
• stereo-mini to stereo-mini cable (connects from the recorder to the computer). It can be any length (short is cheaper). Note that it is possible to borrow this cable from the Center for Media Production, or from the Monitor desk outside of the DDS Lab in Seeyle basement.

Center for Media Production has "packaged" the minidisc recorder and hand-held microphone together in a small equipment bag.

In addition to these 2 main components you should also find:

• "windscreen" for the microphone Don't lose this! It looks like a cheap piece of foam, and it probably is, but it is essential for keeping the recording "clean" from certain kinds of noise... like wind! (If you lose it, then try a wool sock.)
• an optional microphone holder. Use it as an aid to eliminate noise that easily occurs if you move your hand when holding the mic. (The holder is also "threaded" so it can be screwed onto a device such as a mic "boom" or other support.)
• AA battery in the compartment in the back of the recorder. Hopefully this is the rechargeable battery that has been fully recharged. If you have a problem, you can always use your own non-rechargeble AA battery instead. AA battery in the compartment of the microphone. (unscrew the base of the mic where the cable is and pull the cylinder of the mic downward). As with the recorder, have your own AA battery handy in case this one is low on juice.

  NOTE: Obviously, you can recharge and use the rechargeable battery ONLY. That is, the ONLY type of battery to rechage are the one's labelled "rechargeable". NEVER put your plain "garden-variety" non-rechargeable battery into the minidisc recorder and attempt to use the recharging unit.

  The recharge unit can be plugged into the wall with the AC/DC power unit also found in the equipment bag. The AC/DC power unit can be used either for the minidisc recorder directly or it can connect to the battery recharge unit (which is shaped like a "cradle" for the minidisc recorder). Two-irrelevant items (for our purposes) that you may find in the equipment case are (1) a CD-ROM disk with software only for the PC. The consumer software on the CD-ROM is for transferring mp3 files off the PC to the minidisc recorder; and (2). a special USB cable that hooks up the computer with the minidisc recorder in order to do that mp3 file transfer.

• Note that you can refer to the equipment manual pdf file on the web.

Step-by-step preparation and recording:

1. Check for battery power -- does a light momentarily come on wth the microphone is switched on? If not check for, or replace, the battery. -- open the lid of the recorder, then close it. Does a message come on the lcd readout screen? If not check for, or replace, the battery.
2. Open the recorder lid (again) and put recordable minidisc into the recorder. Do not force the minidisc inside. There is only one way that it will allow you to place the minidisc. The direction is with the label side up, slide it in "head first". Close the compartment lid.
3. Plug in the microphone. On the recorder this will be the red-colored 'jack'. Be gentle with uncoiling the mic cable. If it is stressed it will break the connection and the mic may have to be replaced.
4. Turn on the microphone power switch.
5. Put the windscreen on the microphone if you are outdoors. (it is optional, usually not necessary, to use it indoors).
6. Set the microphone "pick-up angle" measure in degrees. For more ambient, environment sounds use 120-degrees. To have a relatively more isolated and focused sound (e.g., an interview) use 90-degrees.
7. Plug in your headphones to do a sound check. (On the recorder this will be the black-colored jack)
8. Sound check and recording:

   Switch the "record" button on the minidisc player while holding down the "pause" button (top of the silver round "rocking" button). Can you hear the sound through your headphones?

   If not, check that your microphone is turned on, or check the microphone battery.

   If you are not getting any read-out on the recorder's lcd screen, then check the recorder battery.

   Unpause the recorder and run a test by talking into the microphone.

   Rewind the minidisc and play it back. But FIRST check the volume, before you blow your eardrums. (Volume control is at the bottom of the red control bar. Use the minus button to lower volume, or plus button to raise it. ) The "play" button is in the center of the silver round "rocking" button.

   It is recommended that you keep the headphones on while you record, so that you can monitor the recorded signal for distortion. You can find the last recorded section by using the forward button until you get to the "end" of the previous recordings. Another method is detailed in the manual (see section called "Recording without overwriting exitsting material).

   The recording "default" is to automatically adjust recording levels. It is recommended that you use this default "auto record level" adjustment. Since it is the default, you do not need to do any further adjustment. However, you need to take especial care as to microphone placement. (This will be discussed in class.)
   
   [ Note: You can visually monitor audio levels on the miniDisc recorder. You can also manully adjust the audio levels, although this is not recommended for your initial introduction to this device. (For setting manual recording levels, you can check the manual, section called "Adjusting the recording level manually - Manual Recording". It involves using the menu button with the forward >> button until "manual rec" appears in lcd screen, then "enter" button).]

9. More general discussion of recording techniques will be discussed in class. Be sure that when you are done recording that you switch off the microphone power. (Microphone batteries last a very long time if you are careful with them.)

10. Transfer your recorded sounds to the computer by connecting the stereo mini cable from the minidisc recorder (use the headphone jack) to the computer "line" input device.

The details of audio transfer to the computer will be discussed in class.