<!-- .slide: data-background="#212C36" data-transition="fade-out" --> # Audio recording for therapists <i class="fa fa-microphone"></i> <hr/> How to make and publish professional recordings --- ## Course overview 1. [What hardware and software you need](#/2) 1. [How to buy the right microphone](#/7) 1. [Downloading and using software for recording audio](#/10) 1. [How to make a good recording](#/13) 1. [How to edit your recording](#/16) 1. [Creating your first mp3](#/7) 1. [Making files available to download](#/7) --- ## 1. What hardware and software you need <hr/> [back to contents](#/1) --- ## Anyone can make a good recording …all you need is some free software, an ordinary computer, a cheap microphone and a method :smile: --- ## We all know what a professional recording sounds like… A good recording is has a clear sound, free of distractions :hear_no_evil: and background noise, with a vocal that is easy to hear. --- ## Did you know there are two kinds of noise? :microphone: equipment noise that goes… Fffffsssssssssssssssss :coffee: :airplane: :bus: …and environment noise such as your breath or outside traffic --- ## So what equipment do I need? <span> <i class="fa fa-microphone"></i> a microphone will improve the quality of your recordings<!-- .element: class="fragment" data-fragment-index="1" --></span> <span><hr/> <i class="fa fa-laptop"></i> a computer (Windows, MacOS or Linux) with free software called Audacity<!-- .element: class="fragment" data-fragment-index="2" --></span> <span> …or <i class="fa fa-mobile"></i> an Android device with Easy Voice Recorder (free or Pro for £3.79)<!-- .element: class="fragment" data-fragment-index="3" --></span> --- # 2. How to buy the right microphone <hr/> [back to contents](#/1) --- ## How microphones work All microphones have a response pattern <li> Omni (omni directional): picks up sound from all around it<!-- .element: class="fragment" data-fragment-index="1" --></li> <span> …found in Lavelier microphones<!-- .element: class="fragment" data-fragment-index="2" --></span> <li> Cardioid: picks up sound from in front but not behind<!-- .element: class="fragment" data-fragment-index="4" --></li> <span> …found in vocal microphones<!-- .element: class="fragment" data-fragment-index="5" --></span> --- ## Your two best options for recording vocals are 1. a [lavelier mic](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=lavelier+mic+in+use&t=ffab&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images) (also know as a lapel mic) - from around £50 2. a [USB vocal mic](https://heavy.com/tech/2018/10/best-usb-microphone/) - around £100 Let's look at each in turn… ---- ## [Lavelier mic](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=lavelier+mic+in+use&t=ffab&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images) - These small, portable microphones clip to your clothes - They are omni-directional so may pick up room sounds - but rely on being close to your mouth to work well, so your voice is loud but background noise is quiet - They plug into your computer or phone using a [3.5mm jack](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shure-MVL-Microphone-high-quality-microphone/dp/B010W6WESM/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=shure+lavalier+microphone+trrs&qid=1588065931&sr=8-5)… the same as your headphones ---- ## [USB vocal / podcasting mic](https://heavy.com/tech/2018/10/best-usb-microphone/) - Easy to use, easy to buy - 'Block' out sound from behind the mic - Great for desktop use, but cannot be used with your smartphone --- Remember there is no "best" microphone, all microphones have strengths and weaknesses. It is impossible to make specific recommendations, however there are a number of respected microphone manufacturers including: - Shure, Røde, Sennheiser, Audio Techinca, Blue and Razer --- ## 3. Downloading and using software for recording audio <hr/> [back to contents](#/1) --- Let's get started by downloading [Audacity](https://www.audacityteam.org/)…  ---- ## MacOS Catalina permission issue Apr 2020 1. Go to Applications > Utilities 2. Launch Terminal.app 3. in the Terminal dialog type the following command following command: ``` zsh open /Applications/Audacity.app/Contents/MacOS/Audacity ``` 4. Confirm the request for microphone permissions. --- ## Let's look at the basics of Audacity - Opening a file - Transport controls - Tools and tooltips - What a waveform looks like - Zoom - Playhead and follow mode --- ## 4. How to make a good recording <hr/> [back to contents](#/1) --- ## Room acoustics - Avoid being in front of hard surfaces like tiles or windows - Avoid rooms with hard floors - Pull curtains to reduce echo - Close windows and doors to reduce ambient noise - Avoid clicking trackpads or clicky mice buttons --- ## Your first recording - Monitoring - What is the noise floor - Input levels - Recording - Remember you can stop and start --- ## 5. How to edit your recording <hr/> [back to contents](#/1) --- ## Audacity: The basics of editing 1. Listening back 1. Cropping 1. Effect: Noise reduction 1. Silencing unwanted sounds 1. Cutting out sections 1. Saving the project --- ## 6. Creating your first mp3 <hr/> [back to contents](#/1) --- ## Audacity: Exoprting 1. mp3 formats and quality 1. Exporting an mp3 --- ## 7. Making files available to download <hr/> [back to contents](#/1) --- <!-- .slide: data-background="#212C36" --> <img style="border:0px; padding-bottom:2em; background:rgb(0, 0, 0, 0); box-shadow:none;" src="https://joelmarks.se/r/m/logo-bluegrey-1100x132.png" alt="logo" width=600px> <table style="font-size:0.8em; color: grey;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom:0.5em;">Joel Marks PDHyp is an ICCHP graduate and GHR registered clinical hypnotherapist. </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-top:0.5em;">Joel develops hypnotherapy, coaching and educational resources & is an entheogen commentator and public speaker. </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> [<i class="fa fa-play-circle" style="color:darkslategrey;"></i>](#/0)