BEST METHOD FOR RECORDING COMMENTARY TO GO WITH SLIDESHOW

[colin hill]

Hi all,

I would appreciate it if someone could suggest the best way of recording commentary which is to be included in a slideshow.

There is the recording facility in version 7, but from what I can see, this is for a single slide. The recent excellent slideshow,

"Ride to the Wall" is a perfect example as to what I would want to achieve.

Colin

[David Porter]

Hi Colin,

I'm very much of a novice at narration myself but am doing a show at the moment which has six or seven separate sections of commentary. I have added these to individual slides but check the box in Music Tab "Dont interupt sound when next slide appears" so the narration can continue over several slides. I find the advantage is that should you move or remove slides at a later date the commentary always moves with the chosen slide. I assume if you record the comment in PTE the same will apply. What I need now is a voice like on Ride to the Wall!

[colin hill]

Hi Mick,

thanks very much, will try that and let you know of the outcome.

Colin

[xahu34]

If you decide to make only indoor recordings, I would recommend a USB microphone (like the Samson C03U or better) to be used with a silent computer (notebook). You can record directly into Audacity. The A/D converter is inside the microphone. So, the quality of the recording computer's sound card does not play any role. Use a cardioid pattern, and try to avoid reverberation (e.g. speak in front of a wardrobe (full of cloths) while doors are open). Use a pop filter. The attached image shows my "recording cabin".

Regards,

Xaver

[Barry Beckham]

Whether this is the right place to mention this or not, but why do we have to tick a box to stop a sound comment being abruptly stopped when the next slide appears? It makes no sense at all.

Can anyone think of one single reason why you would want your commentary/sound effect to be cut off so badly. The default should be the other way reound or that box removed completely.....IMHO

[fh1805]

Colin,

In the UK, AV workers such as Howard nearly all use some form of digital sound recorder. There are now many options, so search around on the Internet. Remember the old adage: "you get what you pay for". The use of such devices opens up the opportunity to do location sound and ambient sound. The soundtracks are assembled outside PTE using sound editing software such as Adobe Audition or Audacity. When building a sequence with an extensive amount of voice-over, it is the voice-over which plays the major part in determining the timing of events. Some AV workers, myself included, use a "storyboard" approach to help plan the sequence; e.g. in terms of what voice-over is to go where and with what images. I find that when I work this way, there is a steady alternation between building a section of soundtrack then assembling that part of the sequence, then building the next part of the soundtrack, etc.

I'd be happy to discuss in more detail off forum if you wish.

regards,

Peter

[colin hill]

Hi all,

Thank you for your responses. The mic that I have at my disposal at present is a USB headset with mic.

Mick,

I tried the sound recording from within PTE and found that my voice was drowned out by the music, so will have to sort this problem out.

I agree with Barry regarding have to tick a box to enable voice over a number of slides. I think very seldom would voice over be used for

1 slide only.

Xaver,

Thank you for your suggestions. You mention one can record direct into audacity. I will also need to work this out as well.

Barry,

See my comments to Mick above.

Peter,

Thank you for valuable input as well. I think the way to go would be as you suggested. If you do not mind, I will contact you off forum.

I am completely new to all this sound recording and voice overs and have been wanting to use it for some time now. I have been trying various

methods with the equipment I have at present and all was not to my satisfaction. I do appreciate any valuable input and suggestions and will

work on it till I obtain quality recordings.

Colin

[fh1805]

From my personal experience, which may not be typical, I would caution against recording via the PC. The innards of any PC system are a hostile environment for the low intensity signals associated with microphone and line inputs. I firmly believe that a digital sound recording device is a much better option. The recording then becomes just another data file passing over the USB connection into the computer.

regards,

Peter

[colin hill]

Thank you Peter, I think that is the way to go. I have been on the internet checking out some websites for digital sound recording devices.

The prices are not too bad, depending on what model you are looking for.

Will advise on how I go.

Colin

[Guest Yachtsman1]

Hi Colin I hadn't chipped in on this one as I thought from your previous shows you were an audacity user, you may want to have a look at the post here.

Regards Eric

Yachtsman1.

[colin hill]

Hi Eric, I do use audacity, so will have a look, thanks

Colin

This will be very useful. I use audacity for all my music, but just the basics (fade in, fade out etc).

Will save and have a good read. Thanks once again.

[xahu34]

From my personal experience, which may not be typical, I would caution against recording via the PC. The innards of any PC system are a hostile environment for the low intensity signals associated with microphone and line inputs. I firmly believe that a digital sound recording device is a much better option. The recording then becomes just another data file passing over the USB connection into the computer ...

This may sound a bit misleading. It is not relevant, where the voice is recorded, this may happen inside an arbitrary PC. Important is the place where the A/D conversion takes place. If this happens outside the PC, the innards of the PS cannot do any harm. I think that all devices that connect to the PC via USB do the conversion outside. On the other hand, a simple USB headset may deliver digital audio, but the quality may be poor. As I said above, I prefer a digital USB microphone, and I record directly into Audacity. So, I can check the recording immediately. A device like the Zoom H2N can be used as an external recording device, and it offers the functionality of a USB microphone, as well. As I never do any recording outside the house, a pure USB microphone saves money and (perhaps) offers a better quality.

Regards,

Xaver

[RobertAlbright]

Normally the best results come from recording into an external sound card. The sound cards installed in most computers are not designed for high quality recording work. Usually it is necessary to boost the signal by using a specialist amplifier as made and sold by Howard Gregory. The recording/mixing programs used are most frequently Audacity and Adobe Audition. Most experts agree that the quality is better with Audition- but then it depends on how critical you are. An alternative route is the digital handheld recording device; worth looking at this link http://kenrockwell.com/audio/sony/pcm-m10.htm written by the excellent Ken Rockwell who rates the Sony machine he reviews as better than the Zoom (and cheaper). The quality of a handheld is unlikely to match the studio conditions described earlier but factors such as microphone selection and recording technique (often the biggest single factor) will outweigh these elements anyway.

[Guest Yachtsman1]

Hi Colin

Don't know if you have found this thread, there is a lot of info in it that may help.

Regards Eric

Yachtsman1.

[colin hill]

Hi Eric.

Thanks a ton for posting your thread which was discussed at about the time I joined the forum.

I found the You Tube video very interesting and gave me some insight to the workings of a digital recorder.

I need to shop around to see what is available here in my country at the moment. If I am to obtain a decent

recorder, I will have to pay at least in my currency R2,000 (two thousand rands). My main aim at the moment

is to purchase a recorder that will do the job for me, so will make some enquiries and see what I can obtain.

Your input is appreciated.

Colin

[RobertAlbright]

On Amazon, the Sony PCM-M10 reviewed by Ken Rockwell (see my post 22 November)costs £220 which I calculate as about R3000.

[davegee]

What about a used High End Portable Mini Disc Recorder?

You should be able to pick one up for a couple of Rand and get a good Stereo Mike to go with it.

They have optical output and optical to USB adaptors should be easy enough to find. I've been using an Edirol Optical to USB for years to interface my 16 track studio to my computer.

DG

[Howard Bagshaw]

Hi Colin,

An interesting quetion, "...what is the best method for recording narration?" Rather like, "what is the best camera?" there are a multitude of possibilities, often depending on what you can afford. I have used the following:

Samson 'Go mic': This is the least expensive USB mic I could find that produces sensible quality. Plug straight into a laptop (or desktop) and record in Audacity. I did a bit of a review for our group, which includes a sound sample on http://www.staffs-av...son_go_mic.html

Samson C03U: also a USB mic, but better quality, I used it for the narration on 'Migrant Mother' (which won the RPS International, so it can't be too bad.) Both Samson mics are great for narration but of little use for location recording (unless you want to drag a laptop around with you).

Omni-mics built into an Edirol R09: I use the Edirol as my portable recorder. Quality is no better or worse than many other such devices, though it's a bit flimsy. I've used this for all my location recording on it's own or with an additional mic plugged in. The newer R05 looks more robust and I'm told that quality is about the same.

Sennheiser K6/ME64: This is a modular mic, the electronics are built into the base, the K6 part, and include a battery to power it. You then screw on the microphone capsule that you need. I have 3, an omnidirectional, a cardioid and a short shotgun (equivalent to fish eye, normal and telephoto). This plugs into the Edirol or into a 'USB sound card' on the computer. Quality is very good, signal strength high and noise levels low.

MXL 2010: this is a studio cardioid microphone which I am just starting to use. Sounds really good with some voices and poor with others. I used it for the narration on 'Ride to the Wall'. It needs external power (48volts of Phantom power) so not so easy to use.

However, like choosing a camera, it's not easy. Almost more important than the microphone is the technique (as with taking photographs) and for me this has taken some time to come to grips with. However, take Xavier's advice above about the set up.

Regards, Howard

[colin hill]

Hi all,

Thank you for all your advise as to the methods and equipment to use to maybe get the best quality voice recording.

I will spend this weekend shopping around to see what I can find that both suits my pocket and needs. I have many ideas for

voice over and cannot wait to get into producing the shows that I have in mind.

Howard,

Thank you for your input, it is appreciated. It was your "Ride to the Wall" with your crisp clear voice that inspired me

to get into this, so lets hope I can produce something that matches your excellent show.

To all that have contributed and assisted me, heartful thanks.

Colin

[Howard Bagshaw]

Hi Colin,

Voice on 'Ride to the Wall' was actually a friend's, the first time I've tried using someone else, but fortunately he was an am/dram actor, so did a good job. My voice is on other sequences such as 'Sudursveit' (see http://www.staffs-av.org.uk/Resources.html and scroll to bottom of page).

Regards, Howard

[8321]

Hello Colin,

You have probably already swiped your plastic.

As a fellow countryman, this is what I have: Olympus handheld recorder from New World, Rode NT3 cardioid microphone (plugs into Olympus) from Musica Instruments.

Use Audacity for editing.

The most difficult thing is the "recording studio". I cover the walls of the spare bedroom with blankets and make do, using a mic stand for the Rode. It is not perfect, as I have been told by experts who listen to my recordings.

Good luck. I hope you will be back for our salon next year.

Jeff

[colin hill]

Hi Jeff,

Thank you for your input. No, card has not yet been swiped. I hope to try again next year by entering an entry in your salon competition.

I did note that at least 90% of the winning entries all had commentary, so need to get going as I think that is the way to go for competition work.

Regards,

Colin

[colin hill]

Hi all,

Just to let you know I purchased a Panasonic digital voice recorder, nothing too fancy (what suited my pocket)and will start experimenting

and see how things develop from there.

Colin

[Guest Yachtsman1]

Hi Colin

Which model?

I went through 6 different mikes & recorders before arriving at the Olympus. Watched the Brazillian GP broadcast this afternoon, what was being thrust under the drivers noses? the Olympus!!!

Regards Eric

Yachtsman1.