Redid Large to Small. Accidentally did it with 7.5' string. Redoing it tomorrow
Note to self:
Post Gain at 6.5
Amp Equalization:
Low: 5
Mid: 5
High: 7
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Nooooooooooo!!!
I finally figured out what this odd submarine sound is in the background of my first can recordings... When I recorded with the cans in the windows, I didn't realize how much noise the highway near my house was producing. The submarine sound was all the cars racing by as recorded through a can. It is a really cool sound, but I need to redo my first recording.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Experiment 2: Can Size
The gist of this experiment is that I used a 5' string wired between two cans. The variable in this experiment is the can size. I chose between a 6oz, 14oz, and 20oz cans. I wired the cans to every possible variable in this experiment. (eg. 6oz to 6oz, 6oz to 14oz, and 6oz to 20oz can.)
Here's how I set up each experiment:
Test 1:
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 10'
Can Size: medium to medium
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Test 2:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 7.5'
Can Size: medium to small
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Test 3:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 5'
Can Size: medium to large
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Here's how I set up each experiment:
Test 4:
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 10'
Can Size: small to small
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Test 5:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 7.5'
Can Size: small to medium
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Test 6:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 5'
Can Size: small to large
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Here's how I set up each experiment:
Test 7:
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 10'
Can Size: large to large
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Test 8:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 7.5'
Can Size: large to small
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Test 9:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 5'
Can Size: large to medium
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
The challenges I faced while recording were as follows:
Here's how I set up each experiment:
Test 1:
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 10'
Can Size: medium to medium
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Test 2:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 7.5'
Can Size: medium to small
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Test 3:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 5'
Can Size: medium to large
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Here's how I set up each experiment:
Test 4:
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 10'
Can Size: small to small
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Test 5:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 7.5'
Can Size: small to medium
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Test 6:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 5'
Can Size: small to large
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Here's how I set up each experiment:
Test 7:
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 10'
Can Size: large to large
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Test 8:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 7.5'
Can Size: large to small
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Test 9:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 5'
Can Size: large to medium
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
The challenges I faced while recording were as follows:
- The smallest size of can made a popping sound if pulled to hard
- My dad held the cans this time, so there were no problems with clunking
- How I held the cans.
- Track "large to small" must be redone due to software glitch
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Other exciting things I did today:
Bought gator clips, got horribly lost while looking for Hollywood lights and started backing up my recordings regularly. I finally came to the conclusion that each experiment would only change one variable in each part, rather than tackling one medium to record with.
So, here are the new ideas for experiments having to do with string:
Changing the length
Changing the thickness of string
Changing the size of can
Possibly changing type of string
eg. Nylon, Cotton, Twine.
One problem I recognized today was that the recordings might not have been normalized to the same volume, but I checked it out later and everything is relatively similar. When I do normalize everything it sounds the same so... Yay luck!
Bought gator clips, got horribly lost while looking for Hollywood lights and started backing up my recordings regularly. I finally came to the conclusion that each experiment would only change one variable in each part, rather than tackling one medium to record with.
So, here are the new ideas for experiments having to do with string:
Changing the length
Changing the thickness of string
Changing the size of can
Possibly changing type of string
eg. Nylon, Cotton, Twine.
One problem I recognized today was that the recordings might not have been normalized to the same volume, but I checked it out later and everything is relatively similar. When I do normalize everything it sounds the same so... Yay luck!
Experiment 1: Can Phone String Lengths
Experiment 1: Can Phone String Lengths
In this experiment, the setup was I connected two 14oz cans together with thick cotton string. The plan was to play my recordings at a volume on my amp that wouldn't shake the can on the other side causing the contact mic to vibrate. Basically, only the can next to the amp would pick up the vibrations. Next the vibrations would go through the string causing the other can to shake, which would shake the mic, and the mic would convert the shaking into sound again.
Here's how I set up each experiment:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 10'
Can Size: medium
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Test 2:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 7.5'
Can Size: medium
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Test 3:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 5'
Can Size: medium
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
The challenges I faced while recording were as follows:
In this experiment, the setup was I connected two 14oz cans together with thick cotton string. The plan was to play my recordings at a volume on my amp that wouldn't shake the can on the other side causing the contact mic to vibrate. Basically, only the can next to the amp would pick up the vibrations. Next the vibrations would go through the string causing the other can to shake, which would shake the mic, and the mic would convert the shaking into sound again.
Here's how I set up each experiment:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 10'
Can Size: medium
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Test 2:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 7.5'
Can Size: medium
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
Test 3:
Test 1
MP3: 10
Amp: 8
String length: 5'
Can Size: medium
Gain: Max
Mic: Contact
The challenges I faced while recording were as follows:
- I had to keep the tension between two cans that were 5' to 15' away while manning the computer. I came up with a solution. I have one window in my studio that opens and is very sticky. So I stuck the can in the crack in the window, and held the can on the other side. I couldn't directly man the computer so I had to do 6 to 8 recordings for each test
- The can kept sliding in the window which created bumps in the recording
- Because the window was higher than the amp, The string was catching on the window pane which caused the string to stop vibrating. Apparently I didn't realize this until about an hour later, at which point I had to start from the beginning
- Software crashed which deleted some of my recordings
- Every recording was really quiet. Normalizing causes lots of static. I'm working with my committee to find a good solution through editing
- How I held the cans. most of it wasn't choice, I tried to hold it as little as possible so that I wouldn't stop the edges of the can from shaking so that I could get the best sound possible.
- Distance from can to amp. Most of the time it was about a millimeter away
- Where the can was placed relative to the amp. The best spot to hold it is at the edge of the cone, but it meandered from the middle to the edge.
- Disruption of the string. I'm pretty sure that I didn't touch the string, but I didn't keep note of that until the end.
- As seen in post "Noooooooo!!!" I forgot there was noise from the highway being picked up.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Prep Day
Today was kinda a blah day.
I would have done my Tin Can experiment tonight, alas, no one was home to hold the other side.
First thing I did was finish all of my base recordings. All I had left was Piano. Instead of doing an acoustic piano like I planned, I used a 1/4" cable on my keyboard through my USB box so that I wouldn't have to do awful setup, mic placement, and all the rest. All and all it sounds nice and crisp.
So today I scrounged around for some cans. I found two of the following:
6oz, 14oz and, 20oz cans. The next step was punching a hole in the bottoms of each where I will tie the string. I did this using a screw and a hammer. Then using two thicknesses of cotton string I cut lengths of 5', 10' and 15'.
I did some calculations though, and unless I make separate experiments for each variable, I'll have to do over 200 experiments, have over 90 minutes of audio for this single experiment, which would mean I would also be doing about 4 recordings of each. All together I would have to do over 5 hours of recording not including set up and editing for each recording.
I think I'll take the easy route.
I would have done my Tin Can experiment tonight, alas, no one was home to hold the other side.
First thing I did was finish all of my base recordings. All I had left was Piano. Instead of doing an acoustic piano like I planned, I used a 1/4" cable on my keyboard through my USB box so that I wouldn't have to do awful setup, mic placement, and all the rest. All and all it sounds nice and crisp.
So today I scrounged around for some cans. I found two of the following:
6oz, 14oz and, 20oz cans. The next step was punching a hole in the bottoms of each where I will tie the string. I did this using a screw and a hammer. Then using two thicknesses of cotton string I cut lengths of 5', 10' and 15'.
I did some calculations though, and unless I make separate experiments for each variable, I'll have to do over 200 experiments, have over 90 minutes of audio for this single experiment, which would mean I would also be doing about 4 recordings of each. All together I would have to do over 5 hours of recording not including set up and editing for each recording.
I think I'll take the easy route.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
First pic, Woooooo
Ian left, Mark Right. Here we are in the studio getting ready to record. Up here we have a tenor sax, acoustic and electric guitars, and a bass. We recorded on a dynamic cardioid mic for all but the Acoustic which I used that and a contact mic.
Day 3:
Day 3: Me and my Studio
So, today I recorded with my own equipment for the first time.
It went somewhat terribly, but the product is fine.
Basically to sum everything up 2 hours of tech problems (thank god Random was online.) Every time I switched mics, the speakers would stop working, this was a problem because I can't sample the recordings after I recorded them. Basically I had to trust my guts and use my limited skills to pull through, because I never figured out how to fix this problem.
I am extremely lucky that I have history with editing and cutting. It turned out that all the Sax recordings peaked, but I was able to fix this by patching together a couple tracks, using stretching tools and such. I am quite satisfied with the final product.
Another problem was I only had one good bass recording, luckily, Ian is really good so I have one really good recoding. I was picking up allot of noise, but noise reduction is a good tool.
Electric and Acoustic guitar went great, I guess I was more comfortable with these since I knocked off the parts I was nervous about first.
All and all it was a successful day.
Also you can check out the recordings on myspace.
As of tomorrow, I'm starting my project.
So, today I recorded with my own equipment for the first time.
It went somewhat terribly, but the product is fine.
Basically to sum everything up 2 hours of tech problems (thank god Random was online.) Every time I switched mics, the speakers would stop working, this was a problem because I can't sample the recordings after I recorded them. Basically I had to trust my guts and use my limited skills to pull through, because I never figured out how to fix this problem.
I am extremely lucky that I have history with editing and cutting. It turned out that all the Sax recordings peaked, but I was able to fix this by patching together a couple tracks, using stretching tools and such. I am quite satisfied with the final product.
Another problem was I only had one good bass recording, luckily, Ian is really good so I have one really good recoding. I was picking up allot of noise, but noise reduction is a good tool.
Electric and Acoustic guitar went great, I guess I was more comfortable with these since I knocked off the parts I was nervous about first.
All and all it was a successful day.
Also you can check out the recordings on myspace.
As of tomorrow, I'm starting my project.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
How to Set Up the Mics
So that I never have to worry about technical problems ever again.
Here are all the settings for using mics:
When using mic box:
(Note that computer reads box as "Line 1/2")
Inputs:
Mono: 01M Line 1/2 (Mobile Pre -1)
Audio hardware setup: Audio driver: Audition 3.0 Window Sound
Default Input: [01M] Line 1/2 (Mobile Pre -1)
Default Output: [01S] Speakers / Headphones (I...
Change sound levels while Audition is closed
For this setup there should be no reason to change sound
levels because you can change the gain on the box.
When using USB mic
Inputs:
Mono: [05M] Microphone (Samson C01U... -1
Audio hardware setup: Audio driver: Audition 3.0 Window Sound
Default Input: [05M] Microphone (Samson C01U... -1
Default Output: [01S] Speakers / Headphones (I...
Change sound levels while Audition is closed
Right click sound icon in bottom right corner of the screen,
Select recording devices,
Choose "Microphone" With C01U subtext,
Properties button,
Levels tab,
Adjust to proper volume
Here are all the settings for using mics:
When using mic box:
(Note that computer reads box as "Line 1/2")
Inputs:
Mono: 01M Line 1/2 (Mobile Pre -1)
Audio hardware setup: Audio driver: Audition 3.0 Window Sound
Default Input: [01M] Line 1/2 (Mobile Pre -1)
Default Output: [01S] Speakers / Headphones (I...
Change sound levels while Audition is closed
For this setup there should be no reason to change sound
levels because you can change the gain on the box.
When using USB mic
Inputs:
Mono: [05M] Microphone (Samson C01U... -1
Audio hardware setup: Audio driver: Audition 3.0 Window Sound
Default Input: [05M] Microphone (Samson C01U... -1
Default Output: [01S] Speakers / Headphones (I...
Change sound levels while Audition is closed
Right click sound icon in bottom right corner of the screen,
Select recording devices,
Choose "Microphone" With C01U subtext,
Properties button,
Levels tab,
Adjust to proper volume
LIFE IS GOOD AGAIN!!!
Okay, I gave up fixing it myself, and called Random. Somehow my collective 5 hours of work have nothing against his 15 minutes of computer skills.
I am soooooooooo glad I have such a large committee and good friends.
LIFE IS GOOD AGAIN!!!
Anyhow, between my new hardware, my fixed software and everything that's goin' down tomorrow, life is looking good.
I am soooooooooo glad I have such a large committee and good friends.
LIFE IS GOOD AGAIN!!!
Anyhow, between my new hardware, my fixed software and everything that's goin' down tomorrow, life is looking good.
Multitracking
Today, I'm really pissed off because I can't get multitracking with two mics to work.
This is a live post, so you get to read the process while it happens.
At this point, I've gotten both the mics to work on two tracks by going to the audio hardware setup, selecting control panel, then selecting the box next to samsung mic (my USB mic). The computer automatically reads that I plugged the radioshack mic in the 1/8th inch mic pickup (or whatever the mic hole in my computer is called.)
I then selected in the input: [o15] Microphone in track 1, and [025] Microphone in track 2. After selecting "Arm for Record" on each track, I can get a recording on each mic.
Unfortuneately I can't get mic [025] to record more than 21 db. (A very low volume)
Note, this is with my mouth against the mic
On mic [015] I'm getting to levels into the 3db range. (very high volume)
If I talk loudly with my mouth against the mic, I can peak the mic. (Overload the mic)
Once again note that this is with my mouth against the mic while talking.
Also, another underlying problem is a sound that I would call digital feedback. It's hardly noticeable unless you master the audio tracks to boost the decibles. This might pose problems in the future.
So far, I am happy with the mic port, but I need to boost the signals from the USB port. I'm going to check the mic settings on the controal pad.
Okay, no. It's taking me back to my IDT Audio software (and that's not helping)
GODDAMMIT!!!!
Attempt 2: I'm going to see if my USB mic will work if it's the only mic plugged in.
No. Not at all. But I also tried the mono options, and the microphone is being read as samsung, not that that changes anything.
God! It's not even recording to the left chanel, only right.
Okay, after a pain staking couple hours, I got it to work, but the recordings sound incredibly tinny, and this is unacceptable.
Taking a break from recording with Audition. Trying Audacity.
No, it's not designed for recoring with multiple mics.
I'm considering breaking down and buying a mixer...
Giving up.
This is a live post, so you get to read the process while it happens.
At this point, I've gotten both the mics to work on two tracks by going to the audio hardware setup, selecting control panel, then selecting the box next to samsung mic (my USB mic). The computer automatically reads that I plugged the radioshack mic in the 1/8th inch mic pickup (or whatever the mic hole in my computer is called.)
I then selected in the input: [o15] Microphone in track 1, and [025] Microphone in track 2. After selecting "Arm for Record" on each track, I can get a recording on each mic.
Unfortuneately I can't get mic [025] to record more than 21 db. (A very low volume)
Note, this is with my mouth against the mic
On mic [015] I'm getting to levels into the 3db range. (very high volume)
If I talk loudly with my mouth against the mic, I can peak the mic. (Overload the mic)
Once again note that this is with my mouth against the mic while talking.
Also, another underlying problem is a sound that I would call digital feedback. It's hardly noticeable unless you master the audio tracks to boost the decibles. This might pose problems in the future.
So far, I am happy with the mic port, but I need to boost the signals from the USB port. I'm going to check the mic settings on the controal pad.
Okay, no. It's taking me back to my IDT Audio software (and that's not helping)
GODDAMMIT!!!!
Attempt 2: I'm going to see if my USB mic will work if it's the only mic plugged in.
No. Not at all. But I also tried the mono options, and the microphone is being read as samsung, not that that changes anything.
God! It's not even recording to the left chanel, only right.
Okay, after a pain staking couple hours, I got it to work, but the recordings sound incredibly tinny, and this is unacceptable.
Taking a break from recording with Audition. Trying Audacity.
No, it's not designed for recoring with multiple mics.
I'm considering breaking down and buying a mixer...
Giving up.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Inventory List
Day 3: Inventory List
So, I realized that in order to do my experiments I need the equipment to do it with.
Today I'm going to make a list of the things I need to get stuff* done.
CdS Cell (converts light into volts)
RCA powered speakers
RCA to 1/4" jack converter
1/4 and 1/8 male to male cables
Electrical wire strippers
Gator clips
A can of Plasti Dip
Unlubricated Condoms
Rubber Balloons
A reeeeaaaaalllly cheap MP3 Player
Mic stand or A hanging setup
Tapes
VHS Tapes
Blank CDs
Different Varieties of Lightbulbs
Underwater Speakers
A HUGE Balloon
A 2 liter bottle of Mountain Dew: Code Red
Chus,
Kai
* Yes, stuff is the technical term for what I'm doing.
So, I realized that in order to do my experiments I need the equipment to do it with.
Today I'm going to make a list of the things I need to get stuff* done.
CdS Cell (converts light into volts)
RCA powered speakers
RCA to 1/4" jack converter
1/4 and 1/8 male to male cables
Electrical wire strippers
Gator clips
A can of Plasti Dip
Unlubricated Condoms
Rubber Balloons
A reeeeaaaaalllly cheap MP3 Player
Mic stand or A hanging setup
Tapes
VHS Tapes
Blank CDs
Different Varieties of Lightbulbs
Underwater Speakers
A HUGE Balloon
A 2 liter bottle of Mountain Dew: Code Red
Chus,
Kai
* Yes, stuff is the technical term for what I'm doing.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Day two...
Day 2: Me Vs. Software
Point one: Adobe Audition rocks my socks
Point two: I can't get it to work
Actually, yes, I finally got it to work. After struggling with non-responsive microphones, detached editing panels and a mess of odd editing frames. Adobe is up and running.
Also, I got all of the drums tucked away in a nice .WMA file and a .CEL file*.
Anyway, all is looking bright in the world of Kai.
Other cool things I did today were going to goodwill scouting for dissertation stuff, going to Trade up Music for the first time and setting a new studio session with Mark and Ian so I can get my base recordings done.
Sweet sweet success.
P.S. I'm now in love with trade up music. It's cheap, high quality, and really stuffed to the brim with old and new equipment.
Point one: Adobe Audition rocks my socks
Point two: I can't get it to work
Actually, yes, I finally got it to work. After struggling with non-responsive microphones, detached editing panels and a mess of odd editing frames. Adobe is up and running.
Also, I got all of the drums tucked away in a nice .WMA file and a .CEL file*.
Anyway, all is looking bright in the world of Kai.
Other cool things I did today were going to goodwill scouting for dissertation stuff, going to Trade up Music for the first time and setting a new studio session with Mark and Ian so I can get my base recordings done.
Sweet sweet success.
P.S. I'm now in love with trade up music. It's cheap, high quality, and really stuffed to the brim with old and new equipment.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Recording at it's Finest
Okay, so y'all, I keep talking about a project with no context. I just say "Experimental Recording," or "I'm putting a microphone underwater and seeing what happens"
I thought this would be a good time and place where I could go into detail about what it is I'm doing. Also if you stick with this post, I'll show a list of planned experiments I plan on doing.
Basically I'm taking 5 original recordings of different instruments with different timbre* then playing them back in different scenarios while recording the sound a second time.
So let's take the "I'm putting a microphone underwater and seeing what happens" as an example.
So theoretically I have these 5 sounds, underwater speakers, and a hydrophone**. Now I take those 5 sounds and see how the sound is altered when I send the sound through water. If you have ever swam in a public pool, you would know people sound different when your underwater, so obviously there should be a result, I just want a solid copy of that sound.
Now let's get more abstract. If the acoustics*** of the room change when your in a big room and a small room, do the acoustics change when you are in a big pool or a small pool?
So, that's basically my dissertation: Taking a sound, and messing with how you perceive it.
So, here's a list of ideas of experiments I would like to try:
(I lost my physical copy so this is a new list I can't actually loose...)
Underwater Volume Acoustics
Underwater Pickup/Distance Testing
Transmitting Sound Through Light
Tin Can Recording
Recording Through String****
Transmitting Sound Through Phone Lines
Recording on Multiple Mediums~
(This experiment has multiple parts and is just a collection of different experiments)
Contact Recording (recording through solids)
Pickup Recording
Digital Compression
Heat Distortion (mostly with tapes)
Recording (Via Walkie Talkie)
Most of these experiments shouldn't make much sense right now, but as you progress through my blog over the next couple months, It should all become clear.
Looking forward to the vast amounts of work....
Kai
* Timbre is basically how when a man and a woman sing the same note it sounds different, this applies to different instruments as well (this is a really stupid explanation, if you really care to know go look it up on Wikipedia or something.)
** A mic you use for underwater. Speaking of which, I read today that with a condom and a couple rubber bands you can convert your old mic into (drum roll) A hydrophone!!!
*** Very very basically how sound moves according to it's environment. Ie. Being in a small room and talking hearing very little echo vs. being in a church and hearing an echo after speeking.
**** Remember making those walkie talkies out of cans and string? Yeah, it's one of those with a mic on the other end
I thought this would be a good time and place where I could go into detail about what it is I'm doing. Also if you stick with this post, I'll show a list of planned experiments I plan on doing.
Basically I'm taking 5 original recordings of different instruments with different timbre* then playing them back in different scenarios while recording the sound a second time.
So let's take the "I'm putting a microphone underwater and seeing what happens" as an example.
So theoretically I have these 5 sounds, underwater speakers, and a hydrophone**. Now I take those 5 sounds and see how the sound is altered when I send the sound through water. If you have ever swam in a public pool, you would know people sound different when your underwater, so obviously there should be a result, I just want a solid copy of that sound.
Now let's get more abstract. If the acoustics*** of the room change when your in a big room and a small room, do the acoustics change when you are in a big pool or a small pool?
So, that's basically my dissertation: Taking a sound, and messing with how you perceive it.
So, here's a list of ideas of experiments I would like to try:
(I lost my physical copy so this is a new list I can't actually loose...)
Underwater Volume Acoustics
Underwater Pickup/Distance Testing
Transmitting Sound Through Light
Tin Can Recording
Recording Through String****
Transmitting Sound Through Phone Lines
Recording on Multiple Mediums~
(This experiment has multiple parts and is just a collection of different experiments)
Contact Recording (recording through solids)
Pickup Recording
Digital Compression
Heat Distortion (mostly with tapes)
Recording (Via Walkie Talkie)
Most of these experiments shouldn't make much sense right now, but as you progress through my blog over the next couple months, It should all become clear.
Looking forward to the vast amounts of work....
Kai
* Timbre is basically how when a man and a woman sing the same note it sounds different, this applies to different instruments as well (this is a really stupid explanation, if you really care to know go look it up on Wikipedia or something.)
** A mic you use for underwater. Speaking of which, I read today that with a condom and a couple rubber bands you can convert your old mic into (drum roll) A hydrophone!!!
*** Very very basically how sound moves according to it's environment. Ie. Being in a small room and talking hearing very little echo vs. being in a church and hearing an echo after speeking.
**** Remember making those walkie talkies out of cans and string? Yeah, it's one of those with a mic on the other end
Work Day 1: Me vs. the Mic
Work Day 1:
Aggressively attacked the recording portion of my dissertation.
The main things I did today were:
I am actually considering redoing the recordings with my microphones, or continuing to use Connors mics otherwise I fear that the recordings might be inconsistent. I think that this will be decided once I have a base collection of sounds and I can evaluate it based on quality.
If I deem all the recordings to be of a relative high quality I think I won't do the recordings.
Another decision I made today is the base recordings won't be evaluated on the playing of the instruments. Seeing as this is a project based on the recording, I think that the quality of the playing shouldn't be a factor in the actual product. So far I think the recordings went well, but I think that will be relative after I make recordings with my own mics.
The bottom line is: Home recording is hard without a real studio, and minimal equipment.
The next challenge I faced today was working with my software. Adobe Audition was being a jerk to me, and I hate it when it's fussy. For one, the mic I tried using wasn't picking up any noise (also I brought the wrong mic). That wasn't actually the program's fault once I realized I had plugged it in the headphone jack... Actually that wasn't the problem either because once I fixed that, even with the highest mic sensitivity, it wasn't reacting. I had to break down and use Conner's mics and computer.
Lesson Number 1: Prep before recording
I read that in multiple books but ignored it. Now I realize that's really REALLY useful and I'll keep that in mind every time I record from now on.
So, in short: Good Day, really anxious to get over all the set up and I'm really anxious to get over the set up. (I said it twice for emphsis. Take that everything I've learned about writing!)
Also, special thanks to Conner for all the help today, I really appreciate it.
Aggressively attacked the recording portion of my dissertation.
The main things I did today were:
- Go to Fred Meyer to check the price of Walkie Talkies (for future reference $30+)
- Meet with Conner to mess around
I am actually considering redoing the recordings with my microphones, or continuing to use Connors mics otherwise I fear that the recordings might be inconsistent. I think that this will be decided once I have a base collection of sounds and I can evaluate it based on quality.
If I deem all the recordings to be of a relative high quality I think I won't do the recordings.
Another decision I made today is the base recordings won't be evaluated on the playing of the instruments. Seeing as this is a project based on the recording, I think that the quality of the playing shouldn't be a factor in the actual product. So far I think the recordings went well, but I think that will be relative after I make recordings with my own mics.
The bottom line is: Home recording is hard without a real studio, and minimal equipment.
The next challenge I faced today was working with my software. Adobe Audition was being a jerk to me, and I hate it when it's fussy. For one, the mic I tried using wasn't picking up any noise (also I brought the wrong mic). That wasn't actually the program's fault once I realized I had plugged it in the headphone jack... Actually that wasn't the problem either because once I fixed that, even with the highest mic sensitivity, it wasn't reacting. I had to break down and use Conner's mics and computer.
Lesson Number 1: Prep before recording
I read that in multiple books but ignored it. Now I realize that's really REALLY useful and I'll keep that in mind every time I record from now on.
So, in short: Good Day, really anxious to get over all the set up and I'm really anxious to get over the set up. (I said it twice for emphsis. Take that everything I've learned about writing!)
Also, special thanks to Conner for all the help today, I really appreciate it.
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