MODULE III

OPERATION OF RECORDING DEVICES

 Contents

No Contents Page

MODULE DESCRIPTION 67
1 Unit 1: Audio recording devices 67
1.1 Introduction to audio recording devices 68
1.2 Microphone Basics 68
1.3 Audio System Components 68
Unit Review Questions 82
2 Unit Two: Operation of audio recording devices 83
2.1 Introduction to audio Recording devices operation 83
2.2 Steps to Audio Recording 84
2.3 The Recording Process 87
2.4 Operation of different types of audio devices 88
Unit Summery 93
Unit Review Questions 96
Project work 96
3 Unit Three: Video recording devices 97
3.1 Introduction to video recording devices 118
3.2 Types of Video Cameras 118
3.3 Operation of Video Recording Devices 132
3.4 Camera setup operation 130
Unit Summery 132
Project work 134
Answer key 136
4 UNIT 4 Video recording 135
4.1.
Introduction to Video Recording 136
4.2.
Basic Cinematography 137
4.3
Shooting scripts 153
4.4
Balance color position 153
 4.5
Record the narrator and natural sound 155
4.6
Audio and video balancing 156
4.7. Smart phone as video camera 158
UNIT SUMMERY 161
Unit Review Questions 162
PROJECT WORK 171
References 177
 Grade 11 Journalism Student Module

Module Description
Recording refers to the process of capturing and preserving audio, video, or any other form of data
or information using electronic or mechanical devices. This can involve the use of devices such as
cameras, microphones, or recorders to capture a live performance, event, or speech, or digitally
storing data in a format that can be replayed or accessed later. The recorded material can be stored,
reproduced, edited, or shared for various purposes such as entertainment, documentation, analysis,
or archival.

Recording good-quality sound and images is extremely important, as poor-quality recordings can
destroy the impact of what could otherwise be a high-quality production. Understanding how audio
video and film recording devices work will help ensure that you consistently record good- quality
sounds and images. Visual and audio media are based on digital and analog electronic, magnetic,
and photochemical recording processes.

This module is designed to introduce students with the audio visual recording devices and how to
operate them in the recording process.

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UNIT 1
Audio Recording Devices

Introduction to the unit

Audio recording, or Sound recording, is the storage of sounds so that they can be heard again. In
professional and home recording studios, special equipment records the music that people listen to
on compact discs (CDs) and their computers.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing this unit, students will be able to:

 Explain the differences between the various audio recording devices
 Identify different types of microphones and function
 Use microphones and audio recorders to record quality sound

Key Terms:
 Analogue recording equipment
 Audio
 Audio chain
 Audio Console
 Audio interface
 Digital recording equipment
 Microphone
 Microphone pickup pattern
 Noise

Activities: 1.1:

Students, List some common components found in a typical signal chain for guitar players (DJ)?
Discuss in group the importance of these components you listed?

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1.1. Introduction to Audio Recording Devices

Audio recording is the process of capturing sound. Sound is captured by a recording microphone or
other recording device. From there, the sound can be changed and manipulated by mixers and other
specialized devices or equipment used by sound technicians and producers.

1.2. Types of Audio Recording Devices

There are many different types of audio recording devices, including recorders, players, and
duplicators. Digital recording devices, such as portable audio recorders, are small and handy, and
feature built-in microphones or microphone inputs. Mountable recording devices are suitable for
permanent locations like conference rooms, places of worship, and professional audio recording
studios. Multi-track mixers and recorders are versatile by allowing for multiple recording channels,
and use during live performances. Analog recording devices include cassette recorders, as well as
equipment to convert analog recordings into digital files.

1.3. Audio System Components

There are categories used to identify audio gear, but many items combine elements from multiple
categories. For example, a mixer may also act as an interface. It is important to be aware of these
categories and that they may be combined depending on the gear.

I) Cable:

For most uses, cables are straight-forward, you find the cable with a plug that connects to the socket
you want to connect. The most common are XLR, 1/4", 1/8" (mini 3.5mm aux), and RCA. If you
don't know what connector you need, you can look up your equipment make and model to find a
manual with connector information. USB and other computer cables can carry digital audio signal
if your gear is designed to utilize it.

II) Interface:

An audio interface is a device that allows you to record live audio by connecting microphones,

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instruments, and other sources to your computer. Interfaces improve sound quality, reducelatency,
and provide many more options, such as multiple inputs and outputs and record monitoring
capabilities. In other words, it‘s a necessary piece of equipment for recording music, voiceovers,
podcasts, and other types of content.

In audio, an interface refers to an audio device which connects an analog system to a digital system.
They are used to take multiple analog signals (voltage) from a mixer or microphone, and convert it
to digital signals (1's and 0's). It is also used to direct digital audio from your computerout into your
analog system. You can use USB to connect the interface to the computer to record the digital
audio. Other gear can function as an audio interface because some have the ability to connect
analog inputs to digital outputs that then go into the computer to be recorded.

III) Amplifiers:

An amp, or amplifier, takes an analog signal and makes increases the gain, which you can think of
as volume. Guitar players call the speaker they connect their guitar to an amp, but it is actuallyboth
a speaker and an amp in one box. Most amps are just an amp with no speaker, and some devices are
just speakers and they need to be connected. If a speaker has a fan in it, that is probably because it
is cooling an amp. Most gear that receive signal from microphones has a preamplifier, which is a
kind of amp that makes a mic level turn in to line level. Most amps, that are not specifically
preamplifiers, convert line level to speaker level so it can have enough gain to be heard on a
speaker.

IV) Speaker:

There are many different uses for speakers, and each may have their own different type of speaker.
Of course there are headphones and guitar amps. For events the big ones facing an audience are
often called mains, or house. If you have any facing the performers so they can hearthemselves they
are called stage monitors. Speakers used in recording studios are called monitors, because you are
monitoring the mix.

V) Support:

In audio systems supports are items that hold audio gear. These kinds of gear can be overlooked,

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but are very helpful to getting clean audio. Mic stands, speaker stands, pistol grips, boom poles,
gorilla pods, goosenecks, and stereo mount adapters are examples of supports.

VI)Mixers

A mixer is a type of equipment used to take in multiple audio signals, "mix" them, and send themto
another part of the audio system like speakers, or a device to be recorded. An audio recorder mixer
allows the user to manipulate the audio input by altering the high and low frequencies, the volume,
and the presence in stereo output, as well as allowing the inputs to be diverted into specified
auxiliary outputs. Audio mixers are optimal for both in-studio recording sessions and for live
performances. The mixer allows for nuance and control in the output, creating the ability to
carefully balance all of the instruments or inputs. Being able to divert sound into auxiliary output is
especially useful in recording sessions when instrumentalists may need to listen to specific parts of
the mix.

The audio console plays an important function in every radio broadcast production. It is also used
for film and television audio, broadcasting, podcasting, live sound, and music production in the
media industry.

Also called the control board, it is the primary piece of equipment in the production facility. It is the
link between the microphone and the recording channels. It is equipped with faders, equalizers,
various buttons and switches, which are used to regulate and modulate signals.

The console board has three primary functions: to mix, amplify and route audio. The console
enables the operator to select any one or a combination of various in-put. And the control board
amplifies the incoming audio signal to an appropriate level.

Amplification means that the volume of an audio signal going through the console can be raised or
lowered as the situation may dictate. This implies that the console is used for controlling the quality
of sound. With the audio console, you can improve the quality of sound.

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VII) Microphone

Microphones are devices that convert or change sound energy into electrical energy. The
microphones are transducer or a device which converts the variation of sound pressure in a sound
wave into corresponding electrical variation in an electric circuit. In other words a microphone can
be regarded as an instrument which changes sound energy into electrical signals. These signals are
further amplified by an amplifier to make them suitable for loud speaker‘s hertz and for modulating
waves.

Figure 1.1: Audio recording setup

1.4 Microphone Basics

Activities 1.2:

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What is microphone? What it is used for? Discuss in group.

Audio or sound is created by the rapid vibration of objects and sound waves consist of rapidly
contracting and expanding particles of air. This pressure or sound wave moves in a relatively
straight line and strikes other objects, such as the human ear or a microphone element. The eardrum
vibrates in response to the sound wave and produces an auditory impression in the mind. A
microphone like human ears consists of a small membrane which vibrates when it meets these
acoustic waves. The microphone translates movements of the membrane into electrical signals.
Basically, a microphone converts acoustic waves into electrical waves.

Microphone is a type of transducer. Transducers are devices that change one form of energy to
another form of energy. Mics convert analog sound wave action into analog fluctuations in
electrical voltage. A digital signal must be created by converting the analog signal through an
analog-to-digital converter. A mic has an element that is sensitive to these airwaves and converts
the wave action into corresponding fluctuations in electrical current. The electrical signal thus
becomes an analog, or copy, of the sound wave. Once an electronic equivalent of the audio
signal has been created, that signal may be converted into a digital signal for recording, processing,
and maintenance of the highest quality during duplication.

The ability to duplicate quality audio in film, video, and audio-only situations depends on careful
mic selection and placement. This means choosing a mic designed for the specific purpose at hand
and positioning it properly. Mics can be classified on the basis of the type of transducer element
they use into three basic categories: dynamic, ribbon, and condenser. One type of mic element may
be better suited to a specific audio situation than another.

A dynamic mic consists of a moving coil attached to a vibrating diaphragm or disc suspended
between two magnetic poles. As the diaphragm vibrates with the sound wave, the coil moves up
and down within a magnetic field and changes the voltage of the electrical current flowing through
the coil. In general, dynamic mics are very durable, not extremely susceptible to wind noise, and
relatively inexpensive.

A ribbon mic contains a narrow strip of corrugated foil suspended in a magnetic field. This
ribbon vibrates in response to the difference in air pressure in front and in back of it and produces

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an alternating current along the length of a coil. The ribbon itself is quite fragile and can easily be
damaged by simply blowing into the mic, although newer ribbon mics have been designed to be
more durable but still are best confined to studio use. A ribbon mic usually produces a smooth, bass
emphasized sound, is preferred by many radio and television announcers for that reason, and it is
ideal for digital recording because its warm sound accentuates high frequencies. Most ribbon mics
are priced at the top of the range of professional microphones.

Condenser mics are relatively complex, compared to dynamic or ribbon mics. The element is a
capacitor that requires two charged plates: a diaphragm and a fixed back plate. As the diaphragm
vibrates, the space between it and the fixed plate changes in capacitance, that is, in its ability to pass
an electrical current or signal. The strength of the electrical sound signal increases or
decreases accordingly. The signal is very weak, however, and a preamplifier is required to boost the
signal to a usable level. Additional current may be supplied to the preamplifier by a battery in the
mic handle or by a power supply located in the mixer called a phantom supply. An electret
condenser mic is constructed with permanently charged plates, reducing the power needed to
operate the mic and the need for a built-in preamplifier. Condenser mics vary in price from
relatively inexpensive to quite expensive, and some inexpensive cameras and cassette recorders
have built-in condenser mics of lesser quality. A condenser mic generally reproduces high- quality
sound, and with its built-in preamp can be considered quite sensitive.
Characteristics of Microphones

There are many types of microphone on the market today, this is because there are so many types of
sounds. These are, Vocals, electric guitar, clarinet, drums, keyboards, violins etc. All of which
generate different frequencies or combinations of frequencies. The major differences between
microphones are the transducer type and the pickup pattern. The pickup pattern is the area around
the microphone transducer where the sound is actually "heard" by the microphone.

Transducer Types

There are two basic microphone transducers, condenser and dynamic. To understand the difference
between these types of microphones, you have to know something about how they work.

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In a dynamic microphone a coil of wire is mounted on a

diaphragm, which sits inside a magnetic field. When the
diaphragm is moved by the sound source the resulting
fluctuations in the magnetic field create an electric current that
travels from the microphone to the mixer or amplifier.

Figure 1.2: Dynamic Microphone Dynamic microphones are rugged and can handle high sound
Transducer pressure levels, like those delivered by kick drums, snare
drums, and aggressive vocals.

A condenser microphone requires a constant electric charge,

provided by a battery or phantom power from your mixer. The
condenser diaphragm has less mass, which requires less
energy to move, so condenser microphones are more sensitive
than dynamic microphones.

These microphones are very responsive to high frequencies

Figure 1.3: Condenser Microphone
produced by an acoustic guitars or cymbals on a drum-kit and
Transducer
are used extensively in broadcast, recording and sound
reinforcement.

Pickup patterns

Mics can be classified according to their directional sensitivity or pickup patterns, as well as their
transducer elements. Different recording situations require the use of mics that pick up sounds from
a very narrow or a very wide area. Some mics pick up sounds coming from every direction,whereas
others are sensitive to a very restricted area. The three basic categories of pickuppatterns are
as follows: omnidirectional, bidirectional, and unidirectional or cardioid.

Impedance

A third characteristic of microphones that determines microphone use and placement is impedance.
Impedance is an electronic term which measures the amount of opposition a device has to an AC
current. It is the combined effect of capacitance, inductance, and resistance on a signal. It is
measured in ohms and shown with the Greek omega symbol Ω. All microphones have rated
impedance; this may be written on the microphone itself or on the specification sheet provided with

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the microphone. There are two general classifications for microphone impedance.

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 Low Impedance 200 - 1000 Ω

 High Impedance 10,000 - 50,000Ω

The preferred choice of microphone impedance should always be low (600Ω). A low impedance
microphone should generally be connected to an input with the same or higher impedance. If a
microphone is connected to an input with lower impedance, there will be a reduction in signal
strength.

All Microphones turn acoustic sound into analog signal. Depending on the mic, it may need to be
supplied by a battery or "phantom power," which is usually 48 volts of electricity sent to the mic
from whatever you are connecting it to, such as a mixer. Phantom power is a power source that is
supplied through the mic cable from a mixer or field recorder.

A recording microphone works by intercepting vibrations created by an instrument or voice,

capturing those vibrations via a thin diaphragm inside the microphone, and then translating that
vibration into electrical signals. Different studio recording microphones have their own specialties,
and are better suited for capturing various sounds or instruments.

Types of microphone

There are basically two ways of distinguishing microphones.

A. By the pickup pattern

B. By the materials they are made with

A- Pickup Pattern:

Microphone respond to sound differently based on direction. This is called the microphone‘s pickup
or polar pattern. The shape of the pattern tells you how sensitive the mic is to sound approaching
from one direction. In this regard there are 3 basic patterns:

i. Uni-Directional Microphones: This is a microphone that picks sound from one direction. In

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this kind of microphone, one side is alive and the other side dead. The advantage it has against the
others is that it discriminates unwanted sounds. The uni- directional category is broken down
into cardioid, super-Cardioid, and hyper-cardioid subcategories:

o Cardioid: Sound is picked up in a heart shaped pattern in front of the mic. This allows
you to focus on one sound while excluding other sounds. Also all directional mics are
Omni-directional with low frequencies. This means that a cardioid mic may pick up low
frequencies outside of its pick up pattern.

o Super-Cardioid: Mics have a narrower pattern in the front but they also have a small
lobe in the back of the pattern.

o Hyper-Cardioid: Used with shotgun mics. They have a very narrow pattern in the
front. They have a rear lobe like the super-cardioid, but they also have lobes on the
side of the mic. They are used to focus in a specific direction. You need to pay
attention to the side lobes. If you are standing next to a noisy camera with a shotgun
mic the side lobes might pick up the camera along with the intended sounds.

ii. Bi-Directional Microphones: This is a microphone that picks sound from two directions (the
front and the back) and not from the sides because the diaphragm is open to air at both sides.
This pattern is less common than the others. Most ribbon mics are bi-directional, and some
fancy large diaphragm condensers have variable pickup patterns including bi-directional.

iii. Omni-Directional Microphone: picks sound from all directions. It measures the pressure of air
in sound waves and responds equally to sound from directions.

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Figure 1.4: The various microphone response types and associated polar patterns

The above patterns are not the only ones, just the most common.

B- Materials they are made with:

Microphones can be also identified with the material they are made up with. They are broadly
classified into two:

(i) The Pressure Microphone: contains a thin metal diaphragm structured somewhat like the
head of a drum inside a rigid frame. This diaphragm is part of the electric circuit so that when sound
waves strikes the diaphragm, it vibrates. This vibration produces corresponding signals that flow
into the circuit system.

(ii) The Velocity Microphone: Has a very tight ribbons of aluminum foil loosely suspended in
a strong magnetic circuit so that when sound waves touch the ribbon, it vibrates, generating
different amount of current inside the ribbon. The condenser and dynamic microphones are
examples. They can give very high sound quality though expensive. They can be used for outside
recording or broadcasting.

Noise Avoidance

Noise is an unwanted sound that is unpleasant, loud, or disruptive on your record. Other words for

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noise include buzz, cacophony, commotion, crash, cry, explosion, roar, or turbulence. For example
buzz is a low, continuous humming sound like sound made by an insect.

There are a lot of different bad noises to consider when using microphones.

Location: You want to be in a quiet room, or a space that has environmental noise that you want. If
you are in a room with a loud fan, fridge buzz, etc, it will make a noisy recording. If you want
location sounds, you could add them in later, but if you know you want to have bird chirping, or
loud coffee-shop chatter in the back of interview, these noises can work to your advantage.

Placement: You want the mic to be close enough to your source that it is picking up the person or
instrument more than anything else, but not so close that it starts to get too "boomy" where the low
frequencies get picked up more than others. This boomy-ness from close mic is because of what is
called proximity effect.

Mic Bumps: Handling the mic or bumping the mic stand will make a noise that can be hard to
effectively remove later. It is best to avoid these noises. Some mics are built to endure handling
noise better. For field recording, you could use a shock mount like the boom pole or pistol grip to
minimize handling noise for shotgun microphones.

Pops: You can use a pop filter or a windscreen to help reduce some bad sounds thatmight get
recorded on a microphone. When people make "B" or "P" sounds they generate a big burst of air
that will hit the microphone and not sound very good. These are called "plosives." Using a pop filter
helps break up that burst of air and you are only left with good natural sounding vocals. These pop
filters can also help reduce the sharp "S" soundsthat can get unnaturally picked up by microphones,
called "sibilance".

Feedback: This is a really scary thing to deal with in audio, but you only need to worry about it if
you have speakers and microphones in the same space and the speaker is amplifying what the
microphone is picking up. It is called feedback because the mic picks up itself on the speakers,
which then amplifies itself and it feeds back until it makesan extremely loud whining sound. The
easiest thing to do to avoid this is have your mic in a different space than the speakers. But if you
need them to be together, you could be sure the mics are pointed away from the speakers, so they
will not pick them up. Do mic tests to make sure that with your placement, it will not have
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feedback.

VIII) Audio Recorder

Anything that stores audio is called audio recorder. But if you were to use an interface and recordon
a computer, that computer would be a recorder.

Digital Audio Recorders

Figure 1.5: Same examples of digital audio recorders

A digital audio recorder is a key component of a system used to capture sound, but as there are
different types of recorders, selecting one can be challenging. Most of the commercially available
equipment is designed for recording music and the human voice with close and cooperative
subjects. Few audio recorders are specifically designed for the quick onset and rapid frequency
changes characteristic of wildlife sounds or the rigorous field conditions faced by biologists and
birders.

Many recorders offer the same capabilities with varying degrees of special features, both essential
and nonessential. A ―good‖ recorder is one that balances your personal needs and desires.

Mobile phones as audio recording device

Mobile phones typically record sounds using a file format called .AMR, which is primarily
designed for phones and should be transferred onto a computer and converted for editing. Once the
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sound files are on the computer, they can be converted, using a freeware tool, into the .WAV or
FLAC format, which can then be edited on the computer using a sound editing application you
already have access to.

There are various ways to get sounds from your phone to your computer:

Bluetooth Wi fi Data cable

Bluetooth is a technology which allows two handsets or a handset and a computer within close
proximity of each other to transfer information to each other. Most Bluetooth technology works
over a range of approximately 10 meters. Although newer variants can reach further, up to 100
meters, it‘s most likely that you will use Bluetooth to transfer data off your phone while sitting next
to the computer with the phone. To connect your phone and your computer via Bluetooth you
should follow the instructions on your computer about ‗pairing‘ a device via Bluetooth. Youhave to
make sure that Bluetooth is switched on, on both devices and follow the instructions. If you are
transferring data this way, always remember to switch Bluetooth off when you are finished.

IX)Headphones

Headphones are a pair of small loudspeaker drivers worn on or around the head over a user's ears.
They are electroacoustic transducers, which convert an electrical signal to a corresponding sound.
Headphones let a single user listen to an audio source privately, in contrast to a loudspeaker, which
emits sound into the open air for anyone nearby to hear. Headphones are alsoknown as earphones
or, colloquially, cans. Circumaural ('around the ear') and supra-aural ('over the ear') headphones use
a band over the top of the head to hold the speakers in place. Another type, known as earbuds or
earpieces, consists of individual units that plug into the user's ear canal. The third types are bone
conduction headphones, which typically wrap around the back of the head and rest in front of the
ear canal, leaving the ear canal open. In the context of telecommunication, a headset is a
combination of a headphone and microphone.

Headphones connect to a signal source such as an audio amplifier, radio, CD player, portable media
player, mobile phone, video game console, or electronic musical instrument, either directly using a
cord, or using wireless technology such as Bluetooth, DECT or FM radio.

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You will need a set of headphones to check sound levels

as you record. The headphones enableyou to hear the sound
exactly as it is being recorded, and therefore exactly as the
audience will hear it. It‘s a good idea to record a
minute or so of sound in situ before you start and listen back
to it on headphones to check for problems such as noise,
distortion or insufficient level.

Figure 1.6: Headphone

SELF-CHECK1.1. QUESTIONS
Instruction: Choose the correct answer
1. What is meant by acoustics?
A. science of sound A. music equipment
B. a sound B. none of the above
recording
equipment
2. Audio interfaces are?
A. capture audio signals from microphones
B. connecting cables
C. console
D. none of the above
3. audio signal processing
A. processing sound for transmission
B. mobile communication
C. music generation
D. none of the above
4. Audio consoles are? B. microphone
A. consolidation of audio C. none of the above
B. key board for input
5. What do we mean by audio channel?
A. a channel dedicated for audio
B. channel music
C. a pathway through an audio device
D. none of the above

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6.
The acronym ―DAT‖ stands for?
A. digital audio tape
B. data card
C. memory card
D. none of the above
7. Ribbon microphones are?
A. electrically conductive ribbon placed between the poles of a
magnet
B. ribbon shaped microphone
C. wireless microphone
D. none of the above
8. Which one of the following alternatives best describe ―Audio chain‖?
A. signal flow chain
B. audio equipment
C. audio recording software
D. none of the above
9. Which one of the following describes best
microphone?
A. it converts sound energy to an electric
signal
B. it is the smallest phone
C. it is a kind of smart phone
D. none of the above
10. The microphone that picks up sound from both sides is called?
A. Omni directional
B. bi directional
C. shot gun
D. lapel
11. The microphones use the principle of electromagnetic induction.
A. dynamic microphone
B. lapel
C. ribbon microphone
D. shot gun

Unit Review Questions

1. Create illustrations that demonstrate the pick-up patterns of

Omni-directional microphones, Uni-directional microphones, and bi-
directional microphones.

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2. What are the main components of an audio chain? Describe

briefly the importance of each component.

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