How to make great sounding classroom

recordings

Take One

Kevin Lane, D.M.A.Music Teacher, Woodstation Elementary SchoolCatoosa County, Georgia

Why Record Your Students?

•self and teacher assessment - they and you can hear what they really sound like

•improve reading fluency

•project presentation

•student motivation - a chance to do their best

•communication - parents can hear progress and performance

What Equipment Do I Need to Make Recordings?

•Computer, digital recording device, iPad, iPod Touch, or smartphone

•Microphone (internal or external USB)

•Recording software

•Playback speakers

Do i need a computer?

Better Mic = better recording

Blue Snowball$65.00

Blue Yeti$90.00

Blue Snowflake$52.00

Recording Software

• Audacity: Free, PC or Mac

•GarageBand: Comes with every Mac

• Voice Memo (iOS)

• iTalk Recorder (iOS)

• Blue FiRe (iOS)

• Voice Recorder (Android)

For Computer

For iOS or Android

Playback speakers$$$=Quality

•Computer or mobile device

•Cheap computer speakers

•Headphones

• Stereo with AUX imput

• Self-powered speakers

Audioengine A2$199.00

Protip #1: Control Room Noise

•Away from AC

•Teach respect for recording

•Use corners, closets, hallways

•If using mobile devices, have students record each other in pairs or teams

Protip #2: mic placement

•Get a good level. Not too much or too little

•6 to 12 inches (depending on voice)

•If recording a group, place mic above center

•Use cardioid to block unwanted sound

•Use omnidirectional to record group in circle around mic

•Use pad when recording extremely loud sounds

Protip #3: Edit!

•Delete anything unwanted

•Use fade in at beginning and fade out at end

•Use compression. Experiment!

•Use effects sparingly but appropriately

•Don’t be afraid to multitrack

What to do with your recording!

•Label them! Student name, date, purpose

•Let students hear them and assess

•Create student audio albums in iTunes

•Create story boards with photos and audio

•Upload to teacher website

•Create a class podcast

Recording Resources

• http://www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/

• http://support.apple.com/manuals/#garageband for Apple’s online manuals

•Apple Training Series: GarageBand 09 by Mary Plummer, Peachpit Press, 2009

• The Book of Audacity by Carla Shroder, No Starch Press, 2010

Questions?

Kevin LaneMusic Teacher, Woodstation Elementary School

http://www.woodstationmusic.comlanemusic@me.com

www.twitter.com/kevinalane