A short while ago, I talked about using a digital voice recorder to record something and then load it into your computer later using audacity to edit it. (That was in podcasting quick tip #1 if you would like to check it out.)
This one is for beginners and advanced users alike. It is either good in a pinch or as a quick way of having a backup for a phone interview. It could possibly even help with a quick live interview that you weren’t really prepared for or one that happens on the spur of the moment.
Now remember, this isn’t being captured in your studio, so it won’t be perfect, but, it will turn out remarkably well. You can enter it directly into your computer and use your digital voice recorder as a hand held microphone. On thing I really like about this is it allows a better quality input because you are entering it directly into your computer as if you had a hand-held microphone. It also leaves you with a backup copy on your digital voice recorder just in case something goes wrong with the computer copy.
Once again I am using an OLYMPUS digital voice recorder,WS320M. I really like the way it records, (I use it in HQ record mode). It is a 1G voice recorder and mp3 player. It also has a USB direct connect input for your computer. (This makes it quick and easy to enter into your computer, later, should you need to.) To Try This . . . you will need:
- The Olympus digital Voice recorder (or a good substitute)
- An 1/8 inch (at both ends) stereo cable (preferably a minimum 6 feet long)
- Your laptop(or desktop computer)
- Audacity software
The other thing I like about this is that it is really simple. You will have fun with this. You can even use this as a way of getting a quick start for your podcast.
(For starters, be sure to turn down your speaker volume control to eliminate possible feedback while you are trying to record. Audacity has settings for being able to listen to what you are recording. Let’s keep it simple and have fun. There’s plenty of time to confuse ourselves, later.) Here’s how to do this:
- Plug one end of the 1/8 inch stereo plug into the earphone jack of the Olympus.
- Plug the other end into the Mic input of your laptop
- Open Audacity and set it for Mic input. (Click here if you don’t have Audacity)
- Press record on the audacity program
- Press record on the Digital Voice Recorder
- Run a test recording of the input to set your levels
- Press “control Z” to erase the the test recording (for the computer)
- Press stop button on digital voice recorder (manually erase)
- Repeat steps 4 and 5
- Start talking and watch the magic happen.
- When done stop both recordings and you are ready to edit and upload or store.
That’s easy, huh? With practice, you will be very pleased with the end results.
Just a couple more things you will need if you want to use it for recording a telephone interview. You will need a tape recorder to telephone adapter for recording you and your interviewee from the telephone. (I got one at Radio Shack. There are other places to get them.) You may not need this next item but it is nice to have and it makes everything work much better. An 1/8 inch monoral/stereo adapter for adapting the telephone adapter to stereo input. This can help eliminate problems with noise, hums etc.
See Ya Next Time . . .
