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Workshop blurb:

This one hour workshop will cover the following topics:

1. Recording audio only interview with DMC professional audio recorders or in DMC audio studio.

2. Recording video interview with DMC video cameras and microphones or in DMC video studio.  

3. Recording talks/lectures with DMC video cameras and supporting gears.

Each topic takes about 20 minutes. Feel free to come and go or just show up for your desired topic. We will explore DMC equipment for best video and audio recording practices and answer your questions.

Workshop outline:

Audio only interview:

1. Please consider to use DMC audio studio to record interviews as your first option as to record interviews, since soundproofed room and the audio set-up offers offer superior recording quality. Be mindful of two There are four stand microphones : one has in the studio: two have on/off switch (make this one as the default), the other does not have the switch.

2. Features of H4n and H2n

Basic operation (refer to video tutorial of H4n and demo the basic recording function of H2n.)switches and the others does not. Use the ones without the switch as the primary microphones, and use the one with the power switch as the secondary microphones and be sure to power it on. For step-by-step instruction, please refer Using Audacity to Record Audio.
3. To record more than 4 people's talking in the audio studio, we recommend you use the Zoom H4n audio recorder. A mini tripod is stored in the upper drawer of the cabinet in the audio studio. Mount the Zoom H4n audio recorder onto the mini tripod and place the Zoom H4n audio recorder in the center of those who record. Refer this online training video to learn the basic operation of Zoom H4n audio recorder. Recommended setting is WAV-44.1Khz and 16bit.
4. To record a Skype phone interview in DMC audio studio, you need to log in with your personal Skype account on the iMac in the studio. Please use Zoom H4n audio recorder to record. Refer this online training video to learn the basic operation of Zoom H4n audio recorder. Recommended setting is WAV-44.1Khz and 16bit. A mini tripod is stored in the upper drawer of the cabinet in the audio studio. Mount the Zoom H4n audio recorder onto the mini tripod and place the Zoom H4n audio recorder in the center of those who speak. You may use the iMac built-in speaker or bring your own portable speaker. If you prefer to use your own speaker, a 1/8' to 1/8' audio cable which is stored in the upper drawer of the cabinet in the audio studio can be used to connect your speaker to the iMac headphone input jack.
5. If the audio interview cannot be conducted in the audio studio, you may check out Zoom H4n audio recorder or Zoom H2n audio recorder from the DMC. Both recorders are very portable and offer excellent recording quality as well.

Video interview:

1. Please consider to use DMC video studio to record video interview as your first option can be reserved to record video interview for the following reasons:
   1. A interviews and a set of professional equipment is reserved for use in the video studio only. (get more hands-on experience of using the equipment.)the studio users.
   2. 2 ceiling mounted and 7 stand LED lights provide ideal lighting.
   3. A black backdrop, a white backdrop, and a green wall are available in the studio.
2. If the interview cannot be conducted in the DMC studio, you can check out the following equipment from the DMC:

   Equipment:

   Easy setup: Canon M500, Sunpack/
   1. For an easy setup, use Canon R700/R800 video camera, 
   2. Velbon tripod, Azden wireless microphone
   Advanced
   3. For an advanced setup
   for
   4. and better audio recording quality
   :
   5. , use Canon XA10 video camera, Velbon tripod, and one of the following microphones depending on its availability:
      1. Sony lavalier microphone
      2. Sennheiser XSW-D wireless lavalier
   microphone,
   6. 1. microphone  
      2. Sennheiser XSW-D wireless microphone
      3. external shotgun microphone
   is
   7. 1. in the checkout package can be used at same time as a backup audio
   (check the menu settings about channel setup, whether it records to one channel or two channel.)Composition and lighting or other tips and tricks, ask Jane for the sheet of video interview recording
   8. 1. , please refer to this guide for detailed set-up instruction.
3. Please refer this guide Tips and Tricks for Video Recording to learn more about techniques and other details.
4. In addition, DMC staff has been collecting the trips and tricks of using DMC Video studio. Refer this document for update.

Recording talks / lectures

1. You may consider to check out the following equipment to record talks or lectures:
   1. In general, you can use Canon R700/R800 video camera

2. Equipment:

Easy setup:Canon M500
3. 1. , Velbon tripod, Rode condenser shotgun microphone, use either the Zoom H4n audio recorder or the Zoom H2n audio recorder as audio backup
,
4. 1. . Refer to the following scenarios for more specific audio equipment usage or simply come to the DMC and chat with our staff member for consultation:
      
      1. Scenario 1: classroom with built-in speaker with lineout, depend on the line out type, you can check out cables from the DMC.
(revisit, bradley check the different cables and adapters)
5. 1. 1.  
      2. Scenario 2: the classroom without any build-in speaker, and if there is only one lecturer, then use the Sennheiser XSW-D wireless lavalier microphone to record audio.
Case by case, depend on the room audio set-up,
6. 1. 1. For any classroom with more complicated audio setup, please talk to DMC professional staff member, and we will try to figure out the best audio equipment based on each case.
Advanced
7. 1. For an advanced set-up
:
8. 1. , you may use Canon XA10 video camera
and
9. 1. , Sony condenser shotgun microphone that comes with the camera, and Velbon tripod. Use audio recorder as audio backup. (This setup is recommended for
QA session or panel discussion,
10. 1. recording Q&A session or in the case there are more than one lecturer to be recorded.)
11. Tips and tricks: be mindful of recording distance of shotgun microphone; each shotgun microphone.

Recording for Music Auditions:

1. In general, you can use the Canon R700/R800 video camera, Velbon tripod, and Zoom H4n audio recorder as the primary audio. Either connect the Zoom directly to the video camera using this set-up (click on More Info tab), or simply record the audio and video separately. As long as you have one continuous recording on both audio recorder and video camera, you can easily sync them up in Final Cut Pro X with a few clicks.
2. Alternatively, you may also check out Canon XA10 video camera, Sony condenser shotgun microphone that comes with the camera, and Velbon tripod. Use Zoom H4n audio recorder or Zoom H2n audio recorder as audio backup.