Re: [Avid-L2] OT: Audio capture off-site

Hi Lou, I'm probably going to write a bunch of obvious stuff. But that doesn't seem to stop anyone else on the Internet, so why should it stop me?

Best way: Hire a location audio person for each location to record the employees and then transfer the files to you.
2nd best: Have a location audio person mic each person and send you the audio live over a phone tap or hybrid.
3rd best: Have the employees use the conference call or telepresence equipment perhaps already installed in an office meeting room & get their telecom staff to help.

Distant 4th best: Set up a Skype (or Google) session, have the employee wear a decent headset mic that connects to the computer via USB, and have the audio captured as a WAV (or other non-mp3 file) to each employee's computer & then after the recording have the file transferred to you. Upside: you'll avoid internet audio shenanigans (ie- packet loss above 10percent or lots of relays resulting in dropouts; firewall issues, etc). Downside: will need to install & configure software on each employee's computer; not difficult, but at a minimum IT won't be thrilled. (this could be worth trying to pull off, though).


But what will probably happen
5th best: Record a Skype session.
I think you're right that choosing a good mic will be a key step. I suggest using a decent headset mic with a USB connection. Pretty good odds that there might be one at each employee's office, you'll be able to reduce background noise, and getting the employee to set the mic to a decent and consistent position (to start, try about nose height) will be a lot easier than with a mic not attached to their head. This isn't optimal, but it's probably acceptable. will be semi consistent across locations, and won't require undue effort by the employees and their bosses & staff.

If/when you decide you'll need to record the conversation at your end, and you're on a Mac, you could use one of these two (or several other) cheap Mac applications (others can probably recommend Windows alternatives):

Record Skype video and voice on a Mac:
http://www.ecamm.com/mac/callrecorder/

Record Skype audio on a Mac with more flexibility and save to better-than-MP3 codecs:
http://www.rogueamoeba.com/audiohijackpro/

With either of the Skype-based approaches, maybe consider recording the video at least the opening bit (or at least grabbing a still) of the Skype session. That'll give the audience a clue about why the audio sounds so Skypy, and keep them from just thinking, "why is the audio so funky?"

A little post EQ of your resulting files will help, too.


Others here can probably provide better advice.

HTH,

jim feeley
pov media
word image sound





On May 12, 2014, at 3:16 PM, Lou Wirth loutv@mindspring.com [Avid-L2] <Avid-L2@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

> I have a client who is a global software company and they are doing awards for employees. They want to do a video on the winners. 11 winners scattered around US and a few in India, etc. The producer would like to capture each winner introducing themselves and then answering a few questions. This audio would run under stills we cut together. She is asking for the best way to do this. My first concern it the quality of the mic so I suggested to be sure each has a decent usb mic to plug into the computer. Then I am a bit lost as too best capture method for voice in a live chat situation. Skype? We don't need video so is there a good way to connect audio using computers and then be able to capture the chat?
>
> thanks
>
> Lou
> Lou Wirth Productions
> 500Tamal Plaza, Suite 522
> Corte Madera, CA 94925
> www.louwirth.com
> 415-924-9411p


------------------------------------

Yahoo Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Avid-L2/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Avid-L2/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
Avid-L2-digest@yahoogroups.com
Avid-L2-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
Avid-L2-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo Groups is subject to:
https://info.yahoo.com/legal/us/yahoo/utos/terms/