Before Recording

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Before you start recording, be aware of your surroundings. This is important for both your safety and recording quality. Beware of any occupational and safety hazards. Note any background noise to be aware of. If a spot is too noisy for an interview, move to a quieter place.

Check Battery and Storage

When using any portable recording device, it is imperative that you make sure the battery is at a sufficient level so it will not die during your recording session. Also check how much time is left on the SD card. Nothing is more frustrating than recording in the field only to run out of time midway through a recording. Bring extra batteries and an extra SD card.

Check Levels, Adjust Sensitivity, Turn Off Cell Phones and Use Headphones

• Most portable recording devices contain a level meter for how loud the recording is, and a switch or knob to adjust the sensitivity of the microphone.
• If recording levels are too low, then the audio will have to be amplified in software, likely producing high background noise. If audio levels are too loud, they will “clip” outside the boundaries of the meter and distort the audio and destroy your eardrums.
• As a rule of thumb for interviews, the best position for the level meter to bounce to is towards the center-high portion of the meter, but not so high that it clips the boundary.
• It is easier to adjust audio that’s a little bit too loud down a few decibels than it is to try and fix audio that is too low. Adjust the knob as needed.
• You remembered to bring headphones, right? ALWAYS use sound-muffling headphones (NOT ear buds).
• Everyone MUST TURN CELL PHONES OFF DURING RECORDING (not just to silent) to avoid RF (radio frequency) interference onto the recording. RF is inaudible, but occurs whenever a call or (sometimes) a text comes into a phone.  ALWAYS TURN ALL PHONES OFF DURING RECORDING!

Check Stereo and Mono Recording Mode

• Mono recording is single channel audio.
• Stereo recording is 2 channel audio, typically one channel for each ear (left and right)
• Many recording devices will have options to set between stereo and mono. Or in the case of a Zoom device, different kinds of surround sound. With the Zoom H5, there is a stereo and mono microphone that can be externally removed and attached.
• In an outdoor field environment, stereo may be more appropriate.
• In a studio environment or for individual interviews with persons, mono may be more appropriate.

During Recording

Holding The Microphone

• If possible, AVOID directly gripping the microphone, as touching the device can cause it to rub against or tap your hands, resulting in unwanted background noise.
• The best way to grip a portable microphone is to use a grip adaptor, which is a gripping device that screws into the bottom of the tripod screw hole. (Grip adaptors are not available from the ATC or Global Lab.)
• If you do not have an adapter, keep a firm grip on the device. Not so hard that it will hurt your hand, but not loose either.
• Hold the microphone close to the bottom of the device rather than near the top. Be sure the device is secured in the full palm of your hand.

Tripods

• Use a tripod as a stable way to record.
• Ensure that the recording device is securely on the head mount and screwed on to the tripod. Screw the device on tightly, but don’t crank it to avoid stripping the device’s screw connector.
• Ensure the tripod is balanced and stable on the ground or table. Give it a tap and light shake to ensure the footing is secure. If your tripod has a level tool on the mount, use it as a guide.

Check that You’re Recording

Imagine that you’re out in the field. You’ve spent at least half an hour recording something. It was a great take, a great interview, or spot on ambience. You go back to the computer lab, transfer the SD card to the computer, only to realize you forgot to hit the record button. It is an easy mistake, especially on some Zoom microphones, as the default setting to record is to press the record button once to preview the recording levels, and a second time to actually begin the recording. Until the timestamp starts counting up from zero, you are not recording.

Interviewing Tips

• Always ask before recording! Do not do any nonconsensual recordings.
• Hold the portable recorder securely.
• Maintain an arm’s length between you and your interviewee. Hold the top of the microphone about six inches (15cm) from your and your interviewee’s mouth to ensure the best recording quality. Too close may cause distortion and discomfort. Too far and the sound won’t pick up correctly.
• OR: have the interviewee hold the recorder, again about six inches from their mouth. This allows more distance between you and the interviewee. But interviewees will often need to be reminded to hold the microphone close to their mouth, and there is greater risk of equipment damage from inexperienced users.
• OR: Mount the recording device on a tripod as an extension of your arm. The same principles of distance between the interviewee’s mouth and microphone apply. This is the most stable way to record, but from a visual standpoint isn’t the most elegant.

Syncing Audio & Video

If you are syncing audio and video together, make sure both the video recorder and audio recording are running at the same time. When ready to begin interviewing, clap and shout “Action!” This will allow you to synchronize the audio and video easier later. It is a good practice to leave a few seconds of non-spoken audio in the track prior to calling “action” in order to remove the noise in post. The less noise the better though. If an area is too noisy, it’s best to move to a quieter place.

After Recording

Transfer, Delete, Put Equipment Back

Transfer files: Connect the recording device via USB, or remove the SD card and plug it into your computer or hard drive. Copy files to a LABELED folder.

Backup your files: Keep at least one extra copy of the original files on a separate computer or hard drive. If you can, upload the files to the cloud. If you’re in a spotty area with poor connection, transfer the files to another computer or backup drive.

Wipe the SD card: Since Global Lab equipment is shared with others, it is polite to delete your files off the SD card when you finish. We do not recommend doing this step from your computer, as it is easy to confuse your transfer folder with the SD card. Disconnect the device or SD card from your computer and delete the files on the SD card using the main menu of the recording device. 

Put Equipment Back: Equipment needs care too! Put everything back the way you found it so someone else will have a happy recording session 🙂