Audio Recording and Editing Guides: Recording Interviews, Lectures, Performances, or Auditions

Audio only interview:

1. Please consider using the DMC audio studio as your first option to record interviews, since the sound-resistant room and the audio set-up offer superior recording quality. There are four Shure SM58 microphones. For step-by-step instruction, please refer to our Audio Studio guides.
2. To record more than 4 people's talking in the audio studio, we recommend that you use a 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. We recommended setting it to record in WAV -44.1Khz and 16bit.
3. 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. We recommended setting it to record in 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.
4. If the audio interview cannot be conducted in the audio studio, you may check out a Zoom H4n audio recorder from the DMC. It is very portable and offer excellent recording quality as well.

Video interview:

1. Please consider to use DMC video studio as your first option to record video interview for the following reasons:
   1. A set of professional equipment is reserved for the studio users.
   2. 6 stand LED lights with soft boxes 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:
   1. For an easy setup, use a Canon G50 4k Camcorder, a Velbon Fluid Head Tripod, and a Zoom H4n audio recorder.
   2. For an advanced setup and better audio recording quality, use Canon XA40 video camera, Velbon Fluid Head Tripod, and the included shotgun microphone for audio recording. Should you have need for a lavalier microphone or a handheld microphone for the interviewee, you can use either the Sennheiser XSW-D Wireless Lavalier Microphone or the Sennheiser XSW-D Wireless Handheld Microphone.

Recording talks / lectures

1. You may consider to check out the following equipment to record talks or lectures:
   1. In general, you can use the Canon G50 4k Camcorder, Velbon Fluid Head Tripod, and Rode condenser shotgun microphone. Use the Zoom H4n audio recorder as audio backup. 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. 
      2. Scenario 2: the classroom without any built-in speaker, and if there is only one lecturer, then use the Sennheiser XSW-D Wireless Lavalier Microphone to record audio.
      3. 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.
   2. For an advanced set-up, you may use a Canon XA40 video camera with its included shotgun microphone and a Velbon Fluid Head Tripod. Use a Zoom H4n audio recorder as audio backup. (This setup is recommended for recording Q&A session or in the case there are more than one lecturer to be recorded.)

Recording for Music Auditions:

1. In general, you can use the Canon G50 4k Camcorder, Velbon Fluid Head Tripod, and Zoom H4n audio recorder as the primary audio. While this means you will have a separate audio and video recording, as long as you have one continuous recording on both the audio recorder and video camera, you can easily sync them up in Adobe Premiere Pro with a few clicks. 
2. Alternatively, you may also check out the Canon XA40 video camera and Velbon Fluid Head Tripod. Use Zoom H4n audio recorder as a backup for audio.