Page 44 - DCAP303_MULTIMEDIA_SYSTEMS

Multimedia Systems

notes audio tape
There are both low and high end tape decks available on campus. Everyone knows how to use
a tape deck - push record. In addition, the higher end Maratnz decks allow you to monitor the
recording both with a set of headphones and level meters. The disadvantage is that audio tape is
not especially sturdy, degrades over time as it is played, and has background tape hiss.
Mp3 player/recorder

With digital formats becoming more popular, certain mp3 players have the ability to record
audio directly into a digital audio format. These devices are small, reliable, and can store massive
amounts of audio without the need to switch tapes. Certain models can store upwards of 5 hours
of audio to a wav or mp3 format. This would be idea if you will need the audio to be used on a
computer because you wouldn’t need to capture it on the computer in real time, thus saving your
time. Even with certain advantages, high end mp3 recorders are expensive and the internal hard
drives may stop working after extreme shock.
Mini Disc

Mini disc recorders and discs are both compact, easily portable, sturdy and high quality. Using
the mini disc recorder for lectures or interviews with an appropriate microphone attachment
works well. One disadvantage is that recordable mini discs are somewhat harder to find than
audio tapes. The second disadvantage is that the audio recorded to a mini disc is compressed in
order to fit on the smaller media. For some audio recording purposes in which the audio has to be
analyzed scientifically for certain frequencies, the mini disc recorder is not appropriate because the
compression artificially degrades the audio signal. While many people cannot hear the difference,
the audio compression would definitely colour any scientific analysis of the sound.

videotape
An often overlooked source and somewhat more common resource for doing audio recording
are video cameras. While not built specifically for audio recording, they nonetheless can record
good audio given an appropriate microphone attachment. The disadvantage is that you cannot
monitor the recording with some consumer video cameras to tell if the signal is too soft or too
loud. The only way to combat this is to do a short test recording and then rewind and play it back
with headphones connected to the camera to tell if you are getting decent audio levels.
recording to a Computer

The advantage of recording directly to a computer, of course, is that there is no intermediary media
to deal with and you save time. This would most commonly be a choice if you have a laptop or a
controlled location like a sound studio. One disadvantage is often actually the computer itself. The
fan creates background noise and often the microphones that come with computer are extremely
low end. You should use good microphone, if you want to record directly to a computer. The
other disadvantage is you will have to know how to use the software to record the files to your
computer whereas with a tape deck most people know how to push record.
3.7.4 Monitoring the recording

It is a good idea to always bring headphones with you to monitor the audio. If the equipment
you are using has the ability to monitor the recording, as with the Marantz tape decks or higher
end video cameras do so. If you cannot do this, it is important to take test recordings before you
begin your program recording to make sure that you are getting a recording with enough level
to produce a clear recording without being too loud. When a track gets too loud it over saturates
and clips, producing a very poor sound reproduction. The wireless microphone base stations also
have a level adjuster so that can be used if no other method is available.

38 LoveLy professionaL University