Just before and after you press Record!

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In Episode Twelve of Create Your Life Story we look at what we are going to do in the actual recording process

We have everything ready and it’s time to actually start recording.  You have:

* Prepared the person for the recording by telling them about it and to start thinking of stories and events

* You have a general list of subjects, events, questions and people to discuss

* You have prepared engaging questions and opening statements(self recording)

* You have arranged a time and place to do the recording

* Equipment is prepared and you know how to use it

* A quiet comfortable environment has been chosen

* Refreshments are on hand

* Photos, documents and paraphernalia are nearby for discussion

Now it’s time to dive in and start.  But lets sort out the microphones first.

Placement of the microphones require two considerations:

* Vicinity to the source of the sound being recorded

* Comfort for the user of the microphone

Placement to the person needs to be close enough to avoid picking up too much of the ambient sounds from the greater environment but not intimidating or distracting from the conversation.  Some sounds will always be picked up as the background atmosphere as is appropriate, provided the conversation is always the dominant audio that can be heard clearly without effort.  If the microphone is too far away from the source it will be necessary to increase the gain(volume) of the audio, bring with it the increase in volume of the background sounds.

Comfort is of greater importance.  Desk microphones will give superior sound but require the correct use of microphone technique and performing to the microphone(a skill that takes time to learn and develop), which is not a relaxed conversational style.  If the microphone is situated so as to pick up the conversation then the participants can relax, move around a little and chat in a natural style.  Placing a microphone on a table nearby that picks up everyone within a smallish radius means that you can engage while sitting at a table.  Using lapel(lav) microphones enables the microphones to maintain the same distance from the person as they move around without the concern of speaking to the microphone.

Test the use of the microphone so that you are not breathing into it, creating plosives and popping but speaking past it.  Lapel mics need to be attached to fabric that moves in such a way as not not rub against the microphone or create a rustling sound.  The sounds coming from the microphone are different to the sounds that you hear when just listening to a conversation as the sound is recorded not from the greater atmosphere that our ears hear but from the end of the microphone.

Once the location is established with refreshments, physical prompts and notes, set up the recorder and microphones and fire everything up to check sound quality, audio levels and adjust so that everything is correct and as is desired.  Now is the time to sort out any issues before you start so they are of no concern later.  Turn the fan to blow away from the microphones, put the dog outside and pour another beer.  Now you’re set and ready to record.  Press record before you are ready to record and just let it run as you settle in, doing the final bit of fiddling, idle chatter and banter even if you are self recording.

So here you are everything is in place and the recorder is recording already capturing you mumbling to yourself or chatting away.  Time to start…

* Say a greeting

* Include the date

* The reason you are here and how you feel