Audio Recording Studio

The recording studio in the Digital Media Lab allows for up to 4 students to record audio using a multitrack interface. This means that each microphone is recorded individually, allowing for volume adjustments during and after recording as well as individually editing what was recorded by each microphone.

Individuals and groups can use the recording studio to record an episode of a podcast, an interview, an oral history or any other audio project. This setup could also be used to record voice over for a slide or video presentation.

The recording studio set up uses a 4-channel sound mixer that is plugged into the iMac computer. Recording can be done using the programs Adobe Audition and Garage Band. 

Audio Editing Software
Adobe Audition*	GarageBand

*Adobe Audition is also part of the Adobe Creative Cloud collection of applications available on campus computers.

Directions for setting up a multitrack recording session using the program Adobe Audition

Log on to the iMac using your network log in

The microphones are designed to work with the iMac computer. The microphones are not connected to the Windows PC.

1. Open Adobe Audition

You will find the Adobe Audition software by clicking on the Launchpad icon.

This icon is grey with a black rocket: 

MAC TIP: All applications will be found using Launchpad. When you click on Launchpad a window will open that contains icons for applications as well as folders containing groups of applications. There can be multiple pages in Launchpad. If the program you are looking for is not available on the initial window you can scroll to the next window by click and dragging the screen with the mouse OR clicking on the white dots at the bottom of the window.

The Adobe Audition application uses an icon that is square with the letters Au:   

Please Note when opening Adobe Audition: If you get a pop-up message that asks for access to the microphones click on YES.

3. Check System Settings

Once Adobe Audition is open you will need to check your system settings to make sure the program will recognize the microphones. Follow these simple steps to check you system settings.

Click on the Adobe Auditions CC menu option at the top of the screen. Then click on Preferences, then Audio Hardware... (See the screenshot below)

(click on image to enlarge)

With the Audio Hardware Preferences menu open, click on the drop-down option for Default Input: then Default Output: and select Steinberg UR44 for both. (See the screen shot below)

(click on image to enlarge)

Once you have selected the Steinberg UR44 as the default audio source you can close the Preferences menu. 

4. Start a new project

Click on File at the top of the screen. Then click on New, then Multitrack Session... (See screenshot for further help)

(click on image to enlarge)

Name your file and select where you want it to save to. Click on Browse to select a specific folder or location.

WARNING: Files saved on the desktop may be deleted after you log off the computer. Chose a more stable location to save your work, such as a flash drive, OneDrive or another cloud-based service.

5. Select "Multitrack" and enable multitrack recording

Find this option in the upper left of the window. Note that Multitrack may already be selected when you open a new project.

When selected the word Multitrack and the icon will be a teal blue color as seen in the screenshot below.

(click on image to enlarge)

6. Select input device for each track that will be recorded

The following instructions will allow each microphone to record in individual tracks. The microphones and the sound mixer are labeled as Microphone 1, Microphone 2 and so on. In Adobe Audition these microphones are labeled as [01M], [02M] and so on. In other words, when you see [01M] on the computer that corresponds with the microphone labeled as Microphone 1.

In Adobe Audition, find where it says Track 1 in the column that runs down the middle of the screen. There's a green horizontal bar next to where it says Track 1. Underneath this title there's an arrow pointing to the right and text that says "Default Stereo Input". Click on this text, then click on Mono then click on [01M] (See the screenshot below). This step will connect track 1 with Microphone 1.

(click on image to enlarge)

Repeat these steps for all microphones that will be used by selecting [02M] for track 2, and so forth.

7. Select the R button on each track that will be used

For each of the tracks you will find small letters M S R I. These are next to the track number. Click on the R. When selected, the R will turn red (See screenshot below). This turns the microphone on. 

(click on image to enlarge)

8. Check levels

Put on the headphones and check the sound levels of the microphones by speaking into the microphones. Adjust on the mixer for quiet or loud talkers.

• The mixer is the gray and black box on the right corner of the computer desk, just to the right of the iMac. The brand name is Steinberg. The knob for Channel 1 controls the microphone labeled Microphone 1. Turn the Channel 1 knob to the right to make it louder and to the left to reduce the volume. The power for the mixer should be on.
• The mixer has power when the white light next to the word POWER is glowing. 
• The volume of your recording will probably come out a bit quieter then you anticipate. It is suggested that you keep the volume turned up on the mixer while recording even if it seems loud when you are checking the levels.

9. Push the RECORD button to begin recording

The record button is the red circle near the bottom of the screen (see Screenshot)

10. Record audio

Record your audio by speaking clearly into the microphones.

TIP: You can start and stop your recordings as much as needed within the Adobe Audition program. Each time you hit stop your audio recording will split into an individual segment. Editing audio in Adobe Audition may be difficult if you have never done it before. If editing is needed look for tutorials on YouTube or ask a librarian to see if anyone would be able to help.

11. Push the STOP button to end recording

The stop button is the grey square near the bottom of the screen in the same row as the record button. The stop button is on the far left of these controls (see Screenshot)

12. Save audio file

When finished recording, click on the File menu option at the top of the screen. Select Export, then Mixdown. (See Screenshot). Save to an appropriate location, such as a flash drive, OneDrive or other cloud-based service

(click on image to enlarge)

It is suggested that you save your file as one of the following file types:

.wav
.mp3
.aiff

Audio files can be played using most media players, such as iTunes or Windows Media Player. You can also import your audio into video editing software, attach it into Canvas or upload the audio to an online streaming audio website such as SoundCloud. If you will be uploading your audio file to a specific application, Canvas or other website be sure to first check which file types are supported.

Adobe Audition Tutorials:

Equipment

Canon VIXIA HF R500 HD Camcorder

Image source: VIXIA HF R500 Black. Canon USA.com, www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/details/ camcorders/consumer/vixia/vixia-hf-r500/vixia-hf-r500. Accessed 17 June 2020.

A powerful HD video camera that comes in a small and portable package. Use this video camera to film footage for your next video project, interview or presentation.

What's included with this camera?

• Carrying Case
• 64GB Memory Card
• USB cord for uploading files
• Power cord
• Extra battery and wall charger

Check out a tripod to help with recording. (Video camera uses a standard tripod mount) 

How do I use this video camera?

Below is a link to a PDF to the user manual. There is also information below about transferring files to a computer. Check out the linked video review on the right for an overview of this video camera.

How do I transfer files from the video camera to a PC?

Follow these steps:

1. Plug USB drive into computer and camcorder
2. Push the play button on the video camera [►]
3. When AutoPlay dialog box opens on the computer select "Import pictures and videos"

(click on image to enlarge)

4. On the resulting box select "Import settings"

(click on image to enlarge)

5. On the resulting box select "browse" next to "Import videos to:" and browse to the folder you would like to save the files to.

Special Note:
Files saved to the desktop of school computers will be deleted when that computer is restarted. All computer restart overnight. Be sure to save the files to a USB drive, external hard drive. the cloud, or in another manner.

Equipment

Cannon PowerShot SX530 HS

Photo by Andrew Hutchings on Unsplash

A compact Point-and-Shot camera that is simple to use and capable of taking beautiful high-quality photographs. This camera can also be used to record 1080p Full HD video. Use this camera to take photos for your next photography project or for use in other class projects or presentations.

What's included with this camera?

• Carrying Case
• 32GB Memory Card
• USB cord for uploading files
• Extra battery and wall charger
• Lens cleaning cloth

Check out one of our tripods for use with this camera. (Camera uses a standard tripod mount)

How do I use this camera?

Below is a link to a PDF of this camera's user manual. There is also information below about transferring files to a computer. Check out the linked video on the right for a detailed overview of the camera's basic features.

How do I transfer files from the camera to a computer?

Follow these steps:

1. Plug USB drive into computer and camcorder
2. Turn the camera's power on and/or push the play button [►]
3. On the dialog box that opens select "Import pictures and videos"

(click on image to enlarge)

4. On the resulting box select "Import settings"

(click on image to enlarge)

5. On the resulting box select "browse" next to "Import images to:" and browse to the folder you would like to save the files to.

Special Note:
Files saved to the desktop of school computers will be deleted whenever that computer is restarted. All computers restart overnight. Be sure to save the files to a USB drive, external hard drive or in another manner.

Canon PowerShot SX530 HS Tutorial

On Campus Computers & In the Digital Media Lab:

Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe Acrobat Pro	Adobe Illustrator	Adobe InDesign	Adobe Dreamweaver
Adobe Creative Cloud software for creating and editing PDF files.	Adobe Creative Cloud software for creating graphics, logos, infographics, and posters.	Adobe Creative Cloud word processing software for creating and publishing magazines, newspapers and other word processing documents such as poster, flyers and brochures.	Adobe Creative Cloud software used for web design and development.

Note:

There Digital Media Lab has more editing programs to explore then what is listed on this page. If you need help getting started using any of these programs try searching the web for tutorial videos, there are many freely available on YouTube. See a librarian if you need help searching for content. 

Office 365

PowerPoint	Publisher
Application from Microsoft focusing on customizable slides and presentations	Application from Microsoft focusing on page layout and design

Equipment available in the Digital Media Lab:

Photo by T. Q. on Unsplash

The Digital Media Lab is equipped with an iMac with a 27-inch retina display running macOS Sierra 10.12.1.  The room is also equipped with a large plasma widescreen monitor with cables allowing for use with a laptop computer.