Resources
Meet the expert
Recording on your computer
There are lots of different websites that allow you to to create a podcast instantaneously from your computer. For free. My favorites are Audioboo (a British website) and Podomatic (an American website). Audioboo has a free app that you can download to your iPhone or Droid. You record you podcast, press a button and voila, it's online! You can also record through your computer if, like me, you have still not joined the smartphone revolution.
Equipment
This website from University of Wisconsin gives advice on different equipment you could use for recording audio. It also discusses technical aspects of recording, such as the different types of microphones you can use.
Get it Qik!
This website doesn't talk about recording video for the web but I have to mention Qik. If I had a smartphone I would use it all the time! You can download an app to your phone that allows you to record video really easily. You press record and it records and uploads the video instantly! It is so much fun to experiment with!
Recording audio
At this stage you should have done some preparation for your interview or podcast. Now it's time go out and record. On this page I'll give you tips on things to watch out for when you're recording. Listen to the recorded examples for ideas on good and bag recording practices. Youu can also get tips from a recording expert - WRUF News Director Tom Krynski.
So what should you look out for when you're recording audio?
Location
The location you choose to record in is incredibly important. If you record an interview on a noisy street or in a crowded restaurant or coffee shop you run the risk of ending up with audio that is not usable. Listen to the two examples below and see the difference when I recorded audio on a busy street, and when I went somewhere quiet and sheltered.
TIP: Wherever you record your interview/package, make sure to also record one minute of ambient sound. If you would like to create a certain atmosphere (busy restaurant, outdoor rural area), record some ambient sound that will create this atmosphere. Listen to how flat the quiet indoor recording (below) sounds before I add ambient sound.
You also need to think about location when you're recording indoors. Sitting near an elevator or a door can cause distracting background noise. Imagine the elevator ringing every time it reaches your floor, or a wave of noise as the door swings open. Positioning yourself by a window can also be problematic if there is a noisy street outside. I remember recording an interview near a window in a hotel bar and losing a great response from my interviewee when a truck passed by.
Listen to the difference between the next two recordings. The first was recorded in a loud food court, the second in a quiet room. Which sounds better?
TIP: Before you start recording listen for any possible disruptions. If you think the location is inappropriate politely ask your interviewee to move. (I've done this plenty of times.) And if background noise disrupts the audio ask the interviewee to repeat their answer.
Headphones
I can't stress enough the importance of wearing headphones. Firstly, it lets you know you are definitely recording. Secondly, it allows you to hear any strange background noise the microphone is picking up. I once interviewed a man who kept playing with his car keys. Without headphones I might not have noticed how loud the jangling noise of the keys sounded through the microphone.
If you don't feel comfortable wearing headphones (ear buds are ok too) just wear them in/on one ear.
Microphone
I recommend using an external microphone whenever possible. The Zoom H2 and H4 (which I used for the recordings on this website) have microphones attached that act as external microphones. How and where you hold your microphone will affect how your recording sounds. Take a look at the pictures below and listen to the quick tutorial on how to position and hold your microphone.
Take a look at the photos below to see what overmodulated sound looks like on a recorder and in Audacity. The picture on the right shows you where to position a microphone when interviewing someone.
TIP: If you are using a cell phone or a recorder with an internal mic only you will have to hold the device closer to your mouth, or to your interviewee's mouth. Tom Krynski talks about this in more detail in the Resources section on the right hand side of this page.
Interviewing
This is really really important. Stay silent while your interviewee is talking. You may find you have the urge to say "Uh huh" or "Oh yeah I totally agree" while they are talking. DO NOT DO THIS. You'll quickly find out when you try to edit the recording that you cannot separate your verbal cues from the interviewee's answer. You know those nodding dogs you see on car dashboards? Be one of those. Just nod along. It may seem silly
at first but you will thank yourself later when you start editing.
Listen to Tom Krynski's tips for recording in the Resources
section of this page for more information