Getting Started with Digital Audio Dr. Jay Dorfman, Boston University
March 3, 2012 MMEA Conference General Process with Media Programs (a way of getting to know them)
Get stuff in Process stuff Get stuff out
Recording Trimming Exporting Importing Fading Sharing Changing volume Web distributing Comping Getting Stuff In - Importing
✤ Sound that already exists on CD or other media
✤ “Ripping” - copying from external media on to your computer
✤ Storing - usually in compressed format Using iTunes to Import
✤ Select import format (compressed vs. uncompressed)
✤ Select tracks to import
✤ Wait for the magic sound
DEMO Getting Stuff In - Recording
✤ Method 1 = Easiest/cheapest = computer microphone Getting Stuff In - Recording
✤ Method 2 = Also easy/cheap = USB microphone
Blue Snowflake AKG Perception 120 IK Multimedia ($69) & Snowball ($149) iRig ($60) ($99) Getting Stuff In - Recording
✤ Method 3 - Still quite easy/not as cheap - handheld recorder
✤ $200-400 range
✤ Good-excellent sound quality
✤ Portable, can be fragile
✤ Usually USB connection - works just like a flash drive Chad Criswell’s “Round-Up” of Audio Recorders http://www.musicedmagic.com/audio-video/portable-digital-audio- recorder-buying-guide-with-reviews.html Getting Stuff In - Recording
✤ Method 4 = Can get difficult/Can get pricey = Standard mic and interface ✤ Mic choice ✤ Dynamic = Less sensitive, more durable (for solo, close, loud sources) ✤ Condenser = More sensitive, less durable (for groups, distance, softer sources) ✤ simultaneously ✤ Interface ✤ Connection type - Firewire (faster, plugs change frequently) or USB (slower (but fast enough), consistent) ✤ # of ins and outs - important for recording multiple sources
✤ Software support ✤ Some interfaces come with software ✤ Most interfaces are usable with any recording/editing software ✤ Free software doesn’t always “play nicely” with interfaces Recording Demo (Method #3) Get stuff in Process stuff Get stuff out
Recording Trimming Exporting Importing Fading Sharing Changing volume Web distributing Comping Processing Stuff
✤ Audacity ✤ Highly recommended software for basic audio editing ✤ Download from audacity.sourceforge.net ✤ Free, cross-platform, as many installs as you want for no $ ✤ Performs a lot of critical tasks ✤ Imports and exports many formats Processing Stuff, continued
✤ Good possibilities
✤ GarageBand (Mac, pre-installed), Mixcraft (Windows, $60)
✤ Other, pricier options
✤ Peak (Mac), Audition (Windows), Myna (free online), Sound Forge (Windows)
✤ Still more, even pricier options
✤ Audio editing functions in sophisticated DAW software (ProTools, Logic, Cubase, Reason, StudioOne, Live, Sonar) Editing Demo (Audacity) Get stuff in Process stuff Get stuff out
Recording Trimming Exporting Importing Fading Sharing Changing volume Web distributing Comping Exporting from Editors
✤ Choose format based on use
✤ MP3 = universal, small file size, not highest quality
✤ AAC = less universal, small file size, similar quality to MP3
✤ WAV & AIFF = universal, larger files, best sound quality Sharing
✤ Once exported from editor:
✤ Flash drive or other media
✤ Drag to iTunes for CD burning Demo SoundCloud for Sharing