How To: Tascam DR-1 Audio Recorder
You will need an SD memory card to record audio onto. This recorder can take 64MB-2GB or 4GB-32GB SDHC cards. The other audio recorders require a 2GB or smaller, so if you aren’t sure which recorder you will be able to get out of the equipment depot, buy the 2GB card to be safe.
1.Insert the SD card on the side of the deck.
2.Make sure battery is charged. If not, charge via USB into your computer (or buy a charger).
3.Plug in headphones (adjust volume on side “output volume +/-”.
4.Plug in external microphone (internal mic causes too much distracting handling noise). We will use the Mic 2 input on the bottom side of the deck. (You can also plug into the top with a smaller mic cord – and adjust to mic 1 input, but we will not be using that option).
5.Power ON, on left hand side. Keep pressing until screen lights up.
6.Let the deck know what mic source you are using: the large black wheel shuttles between mic 1 and 2 and Line. We will use MIC 2 external, (unless you are at a press conference or great debate using a mult box, and then it is LINE in).
7.Check the levels before recording: Hit record/pause and red light will blink. There is an “input” volume control wheel on the right side of the deck, running from 0-10. There is not “right” level, it depends on the environment and the effect you want to create. For a typical interview, adjust so that audio levels L/R are going about half way across the display screen. If they are peaking, the “peak” red light will flash. You want to avoid peaking at all costs because that audio will be distorted and useless. Better to err on the side of low levels that can be boosted later in post production.
8.To begin recording, once you have the levels you want, hit RECORD again and light will stay red and counter will start counting.
9.To PAUSE, hit REC/Pause. To Stop, hit Stop/Home
10.To Delete a file: Menu/Browse/Delete and hit the play arrow button on the big black wheel.
11.To Playback: hit the play arrow button on the big black wheel. PB control can alter the speed of playback.
When you are finished recording, you will turn deck off, then remove SD card and insert card into card reader to import into computer for editing.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
JO 435 Radio Newsroom Syllabus
Basic Radio Journalism JO 435
Spring 2009
Monday 9-12:30 Room 321, audio lab and WTBU
Professor Anne Donohue
Office Hours: Tuesday 10-12 and 1-4, Wednesday 1-4
Thursday and Friday morning by appointment only.
Office: Room 302, phone: 353-3418;
Home Phone: 617-489-4334
email: adonohue@bu.edu
TA: Phil DiMartino email: pad13@bu.edu
The purpose of this course is to get students ready to enter a radio newsroom and master whatever tasks are thrown at them: producing, writing, reporting, gathering
and cutting tape, newscasting, editing, booking interviews and going "live" with
breaking news. After learning the basics of radio production and writing, we will treat
this class as an actual newsroom, going on the air LIVE on WTBU at 11:30 am. Each student will be the producer one week during the semester. It is your show, hopefully to add to your resume tape. As producer you will assign the host to do QA in the week preceding the show and assign the reporters to do news packages on topics of your choosing. You will make sure all stories are edited before reporters and hosts arrive in class on Tuesday.
There are some ten thousand radio stations in the United States. Most of
them include news as part of their programming. Some stations do exceptional news
coverage and pay their employees well. There are radio networks like National Public Radio and the BBC which are among the most comprehensive news sources in the world.
Many of you will find your first jobs in radio. While some of you will stay, many can
and do make the jump to TV. Many of the TV personalities you know got
their start in radio. Locally, Jack Harper, Steve Sbraccia, Beth Germano and Victoria Block are among those who started in radio. Others who start in TV turn to public radio because it allows more time, depth and creativity in producing news. Many print folks also turn to public radio because it allows them more opportunity for creativity. There is a big difference between reading a written quote and hearing the actual voice saying it on the radio. Bottom line: learning to write fast, with clever and accurate copy will get you a job in whatever medium you want.
REQUIRED READING
TEXT: Broadcast News, Mitchell Stephens, 4th edition. (This book is outrageously expensive, but it is the only one that focuses more on radio than TV, so please share a copy with a classmate).
YOU MUST READ at least one newspaper daily. Read the paper thoroughly and bring your copy with you to class.There will be periodic pop Quizzes. You cannot go out and ask intelligent questions to newsmakers if you are not following the news CAREFULLY.
REQUIRED NEWS (DRIVE TIME) LISTENING
National Public Radio programming (WBUR 90.9 or WGBH 89.7)
BBC – airs on WBUR 9-10am and other times throughout the week
WBZ or other commercial all news radio station. (1030AM)
REQUIRED BROADCASTING
You each must serve as a newscaster at least three times during the semester for the student radio station, WTBU. This consists of writing a 2 minute headline newscast (no tape rquired, but always appreciated. We have the Associated Press audio feed at WTBU, tape is easy to get and will jazz up your newscast). WTBU has two minute updates several times a day, so you should be able to find a time that fits into your schedule. To arrange a time, contact the WTBU news directors and tell them what times you are available to be a newscaster. Please send me an email to tell me when you will be on the air, and record your newscasts onto cassette or minidisc or CD and give them to me. One must be done by the end February, end of March, and end of April. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST WEEK OF THE SEMESTER TO TRY TO DO THESE. THE NEWS DIRECTOR NEEDS TO WORK YOU INTO THE SCHEDULE EARLY IN THE TERM. I WILL NOT ACCEPT UPDATES PAST THEIR DUE DATE, SO PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
Be Prepared!
Students should arrive in class having listened to all news radio (public
radio WBUR or WGBH or commercial all news station WBZ). Students should also bring with them copies of either the Boston Globe, New York Times or Boston Herald.
SUPPLIES
You will need an SD memory card to record audio onto. The Tascam recorder can take 64MB-2GB or 4GB-32GB SDHC cards. The other audio recorders require a 2GB or smaller, so if you aren’t sure which recorder you will be able to get out of the equipment depot, buy the 2GB card to be safe.
Cell telephone is not required, but sure comes in handy when you are out in the field. If you don't have a cell phone, bring change or a calling card for calls from public pay phones (if you can find them!!).
GRADING
I give every assignment a numerical value 1 through 5. Your grade is calculated by the total number of points you earn in the semester. An unexcused absence counts as a 0 and any assignments or quizzes that were given that day will count as 0.
1 means you passed in the assignment but failed miserably.
2 means the work was flawed and needs major revision.
3 means the work is adequate, not special.
4 means the work is good. Solid.
5 means the work is exceptional, professional quality.
50%-- You will write news stories in class almost every week. You each have a job in the newsroom. Whether you are the newscaster, engineer, spot reporter or producer, how well prepared you are to assume that job is graded. Everything you write and produce will be graded. Periodic pop quizzes and all in class work will account for about half of your final grade.
25% --. Homework assignments including editing and field reporting, and WTBU newscasts will count toward that 25%.
25% -- Your writing test will count 25%.
IMPORTANT - Please check in with me after the half way mark in the semester so that you can see how you are doing. I will treat this as a professional newsroom. If you come in having read the papers and listened to the news, you'll do fine. If not, it shows, and you'll have a hard time meeting deadlines. Failure to meet deadlines, means failing that assignment. THIS IS THE NEWS BUSINESS: NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.
PLAGIARISM
Please read the guidelines on this carefully. You are to use only tape that you record in the field. If you are doing an internship and have access to other tape sources, you can use that ONLY with my permission, and with the permission of your internship supervisor. If you are doing a TV story and want to use the audio, you may do it ONLY with my permission. You cannot use tape off the TV or radio without attribution and/or permission. You cannot “double dip” –pass in the same story for this class and another class. You cannot have your roommate or friend pretend to be a source. Students have failed this course and/or been put on academic probation for not adhering to these guidelines.
SCHEDULE
Jan 26
Introduction to radio news. Review Syllabus. Commercial vs. public radio. Feeds, sources of radio news. AP, CNN, ESPN ONLY, with attribution.
Terminology. Student Survey. In class writing sample.
Writing workshop.
“Tight, bright, right”. Writing to time, writing for the ear, what you see
Terms: ax, trax, voicer, wrap, reader, Q&A, two-way, double ender
ASSIGNMENT:
Text: Read Chapters 1-4. Do exercises at the end of chaps. 1 (all), 2 (just the odd numbered sentences, chapter 3 just the even numbered sentences in part A, chap 4, just the even numbered sentences.
SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST NEWSCAST AT WTBU FOR THE MONTH OF February.
Bring photo memory SD card to class next week, AND EVERY WEEK HEREAFTER
February 2
Possible current events quiz. Field Reporting workshop
BRING A photo memory card TO CLASS
How to record phone interviews using Gentner.
Vote on Theme music, news, sports, weather, entertainment
ASSIGNMENT: Text: Read chaps. 5 do exercises A1-5, B- just the odd sentences. ,Chap 6 do all the exercises. & Chap 9 do both exercises, chap. 10, no exercises.
Record and write (but do not mix) a field report using two sources: one phone interview and one in person interview. Piece should run exactly one minute, plus a :10-:15 second host intro.
February 9
Possible quiz on book and current events
Production Workshop/ Protools, Audacity?
Mini-discs,, running the board, studio mics, Digital Audio Lab and Using AP Audio Feed
Listen to WBUR and WBZ newscasts. Discuss Writing.
ASSIGNMENT: Text: Read chaps 7, do all exercises, read chaps. 8 & 11
Mix a produced report. Take the field tape and script you recorded last week and mix it together. Put finished work into class (Donohue) folder.
PROTOOLS WILL REQUIRE MUCH OF YOUR TIME THIS WEEK. MAKE A DATE WITH THE TA TO MIX YOUR STORY AND PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE ON PROTOOLS.
TUESDAY February 17
Possible Quiz on Book or current events.
Producing a Newscast
What is a lead? Transitions, pacing, use of tape, vary casts for each half hour, kickers, collapsable copy, posts, reading and writing to time. JOB DESCRIPTIONS HANDOUT
Listen to, critique student productions and professional productions.
Demonstrate use of ambience in field reporting.
Discuss themes for upcoming shows and figure out teams. Each of you will have an on-campus beat that you need to check in on for news events.
ASSIGNMENT – Read Text 12 do all exercises &13
1. Get instructions from show producer. Hit “reply all” on all communication about the show so everyone knows what is going on -avoid repitition.
2. Write a comparison of WBUR and WBZ and BBC newscasts. What is the lead, national and local? Pacing: How many stories, how much tape? how many reporters - q&a, voicers or wraps? What was the kicker or collapsed copy? Which newscast do you like better and are likely to listen to, why? Write a two page critique.
February 23 First Newscast.
Live on WTBU(air some of the mixed field reports)
ASSIGNMENT – Read Text 18 &19
1. see class rotation schedule.
2. Schedule Second WTBU Newscast for March
March 2, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13: Live newscast on WTBU.
Functions will rotate weekly:each student will be assigned a job. See rotation schedule for your responsibility and assignment each week.
Remember to schedule FEBRUARY, MARCH AND APRIL news update on WTBU.
THURSDAY APRIL 23RD, VISIT WBUR
APRIL 30: LAST CLASS: LAST NEWSCAST OR IN CLASS WRITING TEST
Spring 2009
Monday 9-12:30 Room 321, audio lab and WTBU
Professor Anne Donohue
Office Hours: Tuesday 10-12 and 1-4, Wednesday 1-4
Thursday and Friday morning by appointment only.
Office: Room 302, phone: 353-3418;
Home Phone: 617-489-4334
email: adonohue@bu.edu
TA: Phil DiMartino email: pad13@bu.edu
The purpose of this course is to get students ready to enter a radio newsroom and master whatever tasks are thrown at them: producing, writing, reporting, gathering
and cutting tape, newscasting, editing, booking interviews and going "live" with
breaking news. After learning the basics of radio production and writing, we will treat
this class as an actual newsroom, going on the air LIVE on WTBU at 11:30 am. Each student will be the producer one week during the semester. It is your show, hopefully to add to your resume tape. As producer you will assign the host to do QA in the week preceding the show and assign the reporters to do news packages on topics of your choosing. You will make sure all stories are edited before reporters and hosts arrive in class on Tuesday.
There are some ten thousand radio stations in the United States. Most of
them include news as part of their programming. Some stations do exceptional news
coverage and pay their employees well. There are radio networks like National Public Radio and the BBC which are among the most comprehensive news sources in the world.
Many of you will find your first jobs in radio. While some of you will stay, many can
and do make the jump to TV. Many of the TV personalities you know got
their start in radio. Locally, Jack Harper, Steve Sbraccia, Beth Germano and Victoria Block are among those who started in radio. Others who start in TV turn to public radio because it allows more time, depth and creativity in producing news. Many print folks also turn to public radio because it allows them more opportunity for creativity. There is a big difference between reading a written quote and hearing the actual voice saying it on the radio. Bottom line: learning to write fast, with clever and accurate copy will get you a job in whatever medium you want.
REQUIRED READING
TEXT: Broadcast News, Mitchell Stephens, 4th edition. (This book is outrageously expensive, but it is the only one that focuses more on radio than TV, so please share a copy with a classmate).
YOU MUST READ at least one newspaper daily. Read the paper thoroughly and bring your copy with you to class.There will be periodic pop Quizzes. You cannot go out and ask intelligent questions to newsmakers if you are not following the news CAREFULLY.
REQUIRED NEWS (DRIVE TIME) LISTENING
National Public Radio programming (WBUR 90.9 or WGBH 89.7)
BBC – airs on WBUR 9-10am and other times throughout the week
WBZ or other commercial all news radio station. (1030AM)
REQUIRED BROADCASTING
You each must serve as a newscaster at least three times during the semester for the student radio station, WTBU. This consists of writing a 2 minute headline newscast (no tape rquired, but always appreciated. We have the Associated Press audio feed at WTBU, tape is easy to get and will jazz up your newscast). WTBU has two minute updates several times a day, so you should be able to find a time that fits into your schedule. To arrange a time, contact the WTBU news directors and tell them what times you are available to be a newscaster. Please send me an email to tell me when you will be on the air, and record your newscasts onto cassette or minidisc or CD and give them to me. One must be done by the end February, end of March, and end of April. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST WEEK OF THE SEMESTER TO TRY TO DO THESE. THE NEWS DIRECTOR NEEDS TO WORK YOU INTO THE SCHEDULE EARLY IN THE TERM. I WILL NOT ACCEPT UPDATES PAST THEIR DUE DATE, SO PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
Be Prepared!
Students should arrive in class having listened to all news radio (public
radio WBUR or WGBH or commercial all news station WBZ). Students should also bring with them copies of either the Boston Globe, New York Times or Boston Herald.
SUPPLIES
You will need an SD memory card to record audio onto. The Tascam recorder can take 64MB-2GB or 4GB-32GB SDHC cards. The other audio recorders require a 2GB or smaller, so if you aren’t sure which recorder you will be able to get out of the equipment depot, buy the 2GB card to be safe.
Cell telephone is not required, but sure comes in handy when you are out in the field. If you don't have a cell phone, bring change or a calling card for calls from public pay phones (if you can find them!!).
GRADING
I give every assignment a numerical value 1 through 5. Your grade is calculated by the total number of points you earn in the semester. An unexcused absence counts as a 0 and any assignments or quizzes that were given that day will count as 0.
1 means you passed in the assignment but failed miserably.
2 means the work was flawed and needs major revision.
3 means the work is adequate, not special.
4 means the work is good. Solid.
5 means the work is exceptional, professional quality.
50%-- You will write news stories in class almost every week. You each have a job in the newsroom. Whether you are the newscaster, engineer, spot reporter or producer, how well prepared you are to assume that job is graded. Everything you write and produce will be graded. Periodic pop quizzes and all in class work will account for about half of your final grade.
25% --. Homework assignments including editing and field reporting, and WTBU newscasts will count toward that 25%.
25% -- Your writing test will count 25%.
IMPORTANT - Please check in with me after the half way mark in the semester so that you can see how you are doing. I will treat this as a professional newsroom. If you come in having read the papers and listened to the news, you'll do fine. If not, it shows, and you'll have a hard time meeting deadlines. Failure to meet deadlines, means failing that assignment. THIS IS THE NEWS BUSINESS: NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.
PLAGIARISM
Please read the guidelines on this carefully. You are to use only tape that you record in the field. If you are doing an internship and have access to other tape sources, you can use that ONLY with my permission, and with the permission of your internship supervisor. If you are doing a TV story and want to use the audio, you may do it ONLY with my permission. You cannot use tape off the TV or radio without attribution and/or permission. You cannot “double dip” –pass in the same story for this class and another class. You cannot have your roommate or friend pretend to be a source. Students have failed this course and/or been put on academic probation for not adhering to these guidelines.
SCHEDULE
Jan 26
Introduction to radio news. Review Syllabus. Commercial vs. public radio. Feeds, sources of radio news. AP, CNN, ESPN ONLY, with attribution.
Terminology. Student Survey. In class writing sample.
Writing workshop.
“Tight, bright, right”. Writing to time, writing for the ear, what you see
Terms: ax, trax, voicer, wrap, reader, Q&A, two-way, double ender
ASSIGNMENT:
Text: Read Chapters 1-4. Do exercises at the end of chaps. 1 (all), 2 (just the odd numbered sentences, chapter 3 just the even numbered sentences in part A, chap 4, just the even numbered sentences.
SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST NEWSCAST AT WTBU FOR THE MONTH OF February.
Bring photo memory SD card to class next week, AND EVERY WEEK HEREAFTER
February 2
Possible current events quiz. Field Reporting workshop
BRING A photo memory card TO CLASS
How to record phone interviews using Gentner.
Vote on Theme music, news, sports, weather, entertainment
ASSIGNMENT: Text: Read chaps. 5 do exercises A1-5, B- just the odd sentences. ,Chap 6 do all the exercises. & Chap 9 do both exercises, chap. 10, no exercises.
Record and write (but do not mix) a field report using two sources: one phone interview and one in person interview. Piece should run exactly one minute, plus a :10-:15 second host intro.
February 9
Possible quiz on book and current events
Production Workshop/ Protools, Audacity?
Mini-discs,, running the board, studio mics, Digital Audio Lab and Using AP Audio Feed
Listen to WBUR and WBZ newscasts. Discuss Writing.
ASSIGNMENT: Text: Read chaps 7, do all exercises, read chaps. 8 & 11
Mix a produced report. Take the field tape and script you recorded last week and mix it together. Put finished work into class (Donohue) folder.
PROTOOLS WILL REQUIRE MUCH OF YOUR TIME THIS WEEK. MAKE A DATE WITH THE TA TO MIX YOUR STORY AND PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE ON PROTOOLS.
TUESDAY February 17
Possible Quiz on Book or current events.
Producing a Newscast
What is a lead? Transitions, pacing, use of tape, vary casts for each half hour, kickers, collapsable copy, posts, reading and writing to time. JOB DESCRIPTIONS HANDOUT
Listen to, critique student productions and professional productions.
Demonstrate use of ambience in field reporting.
Discuss themes for upcoming shows and figure out teams. Each of you will have an on-campus beat that you need to check in on for news events.
ASSIGNMENT – Read Text 12 do all exercises &13
1. Get instructions from show producer. Hit “reply all” on all communication about the show so everyone knows what is going on -avoid repitition.
2. Write a comparison of WBUR and WBZ and BBC newscasts. What is the lead, national and local? Pacing: How many stories, how much tape? how many reporters - q&a, voicers or wraps? What was the kicker or collapsed copy? Which newscast do you like better and are likely to listen to, why? Write a two page critique.
February 23 First Newscast.
Live on WTBU(air some of the mixed field reports)
ASSIGNMENT – Read Text 18 &19
1. see class rotation schedule.
2. Schedule Second WTBU Newscast for March
March 2, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13: Live newscast on WTBU.
Functions will rotate weekly:each student will be assigned a job. See rotation schedule for your responsibility and assignment each week.
Remember to schedule FEBRUARY, MARCH AND APRIL news update on WTBU.
THURSDAY APRIL 23RD, VISIT WBUR
APRIL 30: LAST CLASS: LAST NEWSCAST OR IN CLASS WRITING TEST
Monday, January 12, 2009
JO 519 Advanced Radio Journalism
IN DEPTH AUDIO JOURNALISM
JO 519 Spring 2009
Professor Anne Donohue
Monday 2-5, Room 323 and Digital Audio Lab on third floor
Office: 302, Phone: 353-3418 Home: 617-489-4334
email: adonohue@bu.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday 10-4, Wednesday 1-4 and Thursday and Friday by appt.
Lots of class materials, how tos and other tips are at annedonohue.blogspot.com
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES: Audio journalism was once synonmous wtith radio news, broadcast from a traditional terrestrial radio tower. But with the advent of the internet and wireless technology, audio journalism is now being heard on newspaper websites, podcasts on PDA’s and mp3 players, via satellite and HD receivers in cars, and who-knows-what the next gizmo will be!
But the basics of telling a good story with sound are the same, no matter what the platform. This class will focus primarily on producing “NPR style” stories, longer form, in depth, audio rich sound stories. The class will bring together the highest editorial standards of public radio with sophisticated digital audio production. Public radio is considered one of the finest outlets in broadcast journalism because of its excellent writing, in-depth reporting, imaginative use of sound, quirky features, and high production values. The goal of this course is to produce a variety of high quality audio productions that could potentially be aired on a public radio program, website, or other outlet.
Audio is also being married with still photos for news website slideshows.
We may want to create a slide show, at least for the first assignment. You are free to do more as the semester progresses.
IF YOU LEARN NOTHING ELSE THIS SEMESTER, REMEMBER THIS:
THINK SOUND SCENE. GO DEEPER, ASK WHY.
WTBU/WBUR/NPR: At a minimum, each student must submit several completed assignments to WTBU, the BU student radio station. I need to know when they will air and in what form. Two of you could combine like-minded field reports and then do a little discussion with an expert or BU faculty member and make a nice half hour show that YOU host. Contact WTBU News Directors at www.WTBUradio.org or dfalcone@bu.edu.
In the past, students have submitted pieces to New Hampshire Public Radio, WBUR. “Living on Earth” and NPR for national broadcast and earned a nice fee in the process. Stories pegged to holidays have been very successful. NPR has started a new show targeted to a younger audience, so youthful themes are also encouraged.
TEXT: The text is, Sound Reporting, by Jonathan Kern. The previous Sound Reporting by Rosenbaum and Dinges, editors, is out of print, but it is better in some ways than the new version, so I may provide copies of chapters of the old edition for your enlightenment. If you have never done broadcast writing before, I would strongly recommend Writing News for TV and Radio by Mervin Block and Joe Durso Jr., available at the bookstore. Its expensive, so maybe share a copy with a classmate.
At some point in your journalism career, you should read Elements of Journalism by Kovach and Rosensteil. If you haven’t read it already, do so this semester.
For fun, buy a $5 copy of Ira Glass’ comic book, Radio, an Illustrated Guide.
PURCHASE: We will be working with new flash recorders this semester. You will need to provide your own flash drive cards.
REQUIRED LISTENING: At least five hours of a variety of public radio
programs every week, including "All Things Considered", "Morning Edition", "Marketplace","The World", "This American Life", BBC programming, "On Point" and "Weekend Edition". THE EXAM WILL REQUIRE YOU TO COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE PRODUCTION AND EDITORIAL STYLES OF THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS. You need to be very familiar with the shows/styles by then if you are not already. www.npr.org lists about 50-75 programs. You can download most of them as podcasts, and listen at your convenience.
ATTENDANCE: Tardiness and absenteeism are not acceptable. In the event of a
personal or family emergency, please notify me that you will not be in
class, and make arrangements with me to make up the time/work. Work missed during unexcused absences will be given an F grade.
In addition, a fair amount of outside of class time will be required in the
audio lab. The only way to become adept at digital audio editing, is to practice,
practice, practice. While we will spend some class time with hands-on production, it will NOT be nearly enough to attain the level of proficiency required. You should plan several sessions with the TA, Phil DiMartino, pad13@bu.edu ( or Jake Kassen ) early in the semester.
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING:
All scripts must be typed, double or triple spaced. All must have a :20-:30 second host intro that leads into the taped piece. Late assignments will not be accepted.
A = ready for air. Reporting and research are thorough. Writing is "tight, bright and right". The tape is of the highest quality. The story has a beginning, middle and end. Each element (ax, trax, sfx) adds something to the story and advances it. The edits and mix are flawless.
B = good work, but would require some editorial and/or production tweaking
before it could be sold.
C = average work, requiring major revisions
D = barely passable, and needs to be re-done
F = hopeless, start over from scratch with a new story.
You have the option of passing in any project that you have tweaked or overhauled completely to try for a better grade. No promises that the grade will improve, but it may be worth a try.
Project 1: Creating a Sound Scene: “Audio Postcard”- 5% 2 minutes*
BRING A CAMERA ALONG FOR A SLIDE SHOW. Slide show – 5% 2 minutes*
Project 2: News cut and script a.k.a. ax and trax -10% 3 minutes*
Project 3: Mixed news item with ambience - 20% 4-5 minutes*
Great Debate: 5% 3-4 minutes*
Project 4: Mixed feature with ambience -20% 4-5 minutes*
Project 5: Mini-doc – Multi-scene, in depth report, 8-10 minutes*
OR shorter mixed piece (4 minutes)paired with an interview (4 minutes)for broadcast/podcast on WTBU. 25%
Exam: 5%
Q&A timed assignment 5%
*Times are minimums and maximums. Do not deviate by more than :30 seconds
• DO NOT STRETCH A PIECE THAT WARRANTS Fewer MINUTES INTO a longer story JUST TO FILL THIS TIME REQUIREMENT.
PLAGIARISM:
Please read the guidelines carefully. You are not to use any tape from any source other than what YOU record in the field -- unless you have written consent from the source and me. If you are doing an internship and have access to other tape, you may use it ONLY with my permission AND the permission of your internship supervisor. You cannot download audio off the web without permission and attribution. You cannot “double dip”—pass in the same story to two different classes. You cannot have family members, roomates or friends pretend to be sources. See DO’s and DON’Ts.
WBUR SHOW: All or some of your stories will focus on the theme we decide to create for the hour show in May. Not everyone’s stories will air. Quality will be the judge…and an editor at WBUR.
SCHEDULE:
Week One 1-26
Public radio today: NPR, PRI, BBC, the wheel, programs
NPR style. History. listening session. Hindenburgh, to Murrow, to today.
Field recording basics. Tascam recorders and phone recordings.
Homework: record interviews and ambience from a variety of sources, locations. Bring flash card to next class.
Read manual in flash recorder or check out blogspot. You will need to create an “audio postcard” with what audio you collect. Have interview describe the scene, but also let the ambient sound tell the story. You should shoot images of the scene you have recorded.
BOOK: Chaps 1,2
Week Two 2-2
Protools: Basic digital editing. Load in tape. Basic edits, fades.
Homework: REQUIRED: Meet with TA to work on postcard. Complete a two minute music/ambience bed, mixing ax with ambience, fading up and down.
Choose topic for cut and script.
Week Three 2-9
Audio postcard (project #1) due.
Listen to students' work. More in-class digital
production.
DISCUSS SLIDE SHOW. Peter Southwick guest.
Homework: CREATE A SLIDE SHOW.
BOOK: chaps 3&4
BY the end of this week YOU SHOULD BE QUITE FAMILIAR WITH ALL THE TECHNOLOGY -- NOW YOUR EMPHASIS SHOULD BE ON THE EDITORIAL CONTENT. If you are still struggling, see the TA for extra help. We will start doing timed exercises, so you’ll need to be comfortable working on deadline.
Week Four Tuesday 2-17
Wrting copy for radio. Narrarive style, developing scenes, characters, a story arc. How to prepare a radio script. Critique former student work.
Homework: report and write #2, cut and script. Work on digital editing and field recording. GET SCRIPT TO ME VIA EMAIL BY 6pm Sunday.
Week Five 2-23
Script for #2. Frog exercise. In class copy editing. Peer editing – bring a couple of hard copies of your script for other students to read. Professional listening session.
Michelle Trudeau “David”, basic NPR fare.
Assignment: . BOOK: Chaps 5&6. If available, read Krulwich, Amos and Simon chaptersThey are among the best in the business. Hear what they say and read those chapters carefully!!
Week Six 3-2
#2 Due. Listen to student work. Discuss ideas for #3.
Writing to sound. Using ambience. RATS. BEARS.Telling the story, beginning middle and end. Zwerdling and the use of surprise. Blind Dog, Scott Carrier.
Homework: Report and write #3. Get scripts to me before 6pm Sunday, via email.
Spring Break
Week Seven 3-16
PROJECT #3 script.
ISAY discussion/listening session. Chickens. Alternative ways of story telling.
Homework: Mix #3.
Date TBA: GREAT DEBATE. MUST ATTEND AND COVER.
Week Eight 3-23
Project #3 due. Listen to student work. Friendly Man. Interviewing, producing Q&A.
NPR video on interviewing. Right Question Project exercise
Assignment: Listen to interviews on line, “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross, ATC, ME, Here and Now, The World. Reort and Write #4
Week Nine 3-30
#4 script Due:
In class story chasing: from today’s headlines, find an expert, do a 10 minute phone or in person interview, load it into computer, and cut it down to a 3-4 minute interview with you as show host.
Homework: mix #4
Week Ten 4-6
#4 Due. Mini-docucmentary, multi-scene story, going deeper Determine what stories will go to WBUR to be included in show.
Homework: Report and write #5.
Week Eleven 4-13
TOUR WBUR
#5 Script DUE 6pm Sunday. Listening session
The docu-drama - when are re-enactments OK?
Tony Kahn, Blacklisted, Mei Mei, War of the Worlds Revisited
ASSIGNMENT: Mix #5
Week Twelve Thurs. 4-23
#5 Due.
Loose ends for WBUR show.
Week Thirteen 4-30 LAST CLASS – you may need to go to WBUR to mix your stories for show after last class. If you are not going to be able to do this, tell me.
Any re-worked material due.
Peter Pan, Wild Room, Job Prospects, freelancing, internships
.
JO 519 Spring 2009
Professor Anne Donohue
Monday 2-5, Room 323 and Digital Audio Lab on third floor
Office: 302, Phone: 353-3418 Home: 617-489-4334
email: adonohue@bu.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday 10-4, Wednesday 1-4 and Thursday and Friday by appt.
Lots of class materials, how tos and other tips are at annedonohue.blogspot.com
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES: Audio journalism was once synonmous wtith radio news, broadcast from a traditional terrestrial radio tower. But with the advent of the internet and wireless technology, audio journalism is now being heard on newspaper websites, podcasts on PDA’s and mp3 players, via satellite and HD receivers in cars, and who-knows-what the next gizmo will be!
But the basics of telling a good story with sound are the same, no matter what the platform. This class will focus primarily on producing “NPR style” stories, longer form, in depth, audio rich sound stories. The class will bring together the highest editorial standards of public radio with sophisticated digital audio production. Public radio is considered one of the finest outlets in broadcast journalism because of its excellent writing, in-depth reporting, imaginative use of sound, quirky features, and high production values. The goal of this course is to produce a variety of high quality audio productions that could potentially be aired on a public radio program, website, or other outlet.
Audio is also being married with still photos for news website slideshows.
We may want to create a slide show, at least for the first assignment. You are free to do more as the semester progresses.
IF YOU LEARN NOTHING ELSE THIS SEMESTER, REMEMBER THIS:
THINK SOUND SCENE. GO DEEPER, ASK WHY.
WTBU/WBUR/NPR: At a minimum, each student must submit several completed assignments to WTBU, the BU student radio station. I need to know when they will air and in what form. Two of you could combine like-minded field reports and then do a little discussion with an expert or BU faculty member and make a nice half hour show that YOU host. Contact WTBU News Directors at www.WTBUradio.org or dfalcone@bu.edu.
In the past, students have submitted pieces to New Hampshire Public Radio, WBUR. “Living on Earth” and NPR for national broadcast and earned a nice fee in the process. Stories pegged to holidays have been very successful. NPR has started a new show targeted to a younger audience, so youthful themes are also encouraged.
TEXT: The text is, Sound Reporting, by Jonathan Kern. The previous Sound Reporting by Rosenbaum and Dinges, editors, is out of print, but it is better in some ways than the new version, so I may provide copies of chapters of the old edition for your enlightenment. If you have never done broadcast writing before, I would strongly recommend Writing News for TV and Radio by Mervin Block and Joe Durso Jr., available at the bookstore. Its expensive, so maybe share a copy with a classmate.
At some point in your journalism career, you should read Elements of Journalism by Kovach and Rosensteil. If you haven’t read it already, do so this semester.
For fun, buy a $5 copy of Ira Glass’ comic book, Radio, an Illustrated Guide.
PURCHASE: We will be working with new flash recorders this semester. You will need to provide your own flash drive cards.
REQUIRED LISTENING: At least five hours of a variety of public radio
programs every week, including "All Things Considered", "Morning Edition", "Marketplace","The World", "This American Life", BBC programming, "On Point" and "Weekend Edition". THE EXAM WILL REQUIRE YOU TO COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE PRODUCTION AND EDITORIAL STYLES OF THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS. You need to be very familiar with the shows/styles by then if you are not already. www.npr.org lists about 50-75 programs. You can download most of them as podcasts, and listen at your convenience.
ATTENDANCE: Tardiness and absenteeism are not acceptable. In the event of a
personal or family emergency, please notify me that you will not be in
class, and make arrangements with me to make up the time/work. Work missed during unexcused absences will be given an F grade.
In addition, a fair amount of outside of class time will be required in the
audio lab. The only way to become adept at digital audio editing, is to practice,
practice, practice. While we will spend some class time with hands-on production, it will NOT be nearly enough to attain the level of proficiency required. You should plan several sessions with the TA, Phil DiMartino, pad13@bu.edu ( or Jake Kassen ) early in the semester.
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING:
All scripts must be typed, double or triple spaced. All must have a :20-:30 second host intro that leads into the taped piece. Late assignments will not be accepted.
A = ready for air. Reporting and research are thorough. Writing is "tight, bright and right". The tape is of the highest quality. The story has a beginning, middle and end. Each element (ax, trax, sfx) adds something to the story and advances it. The edits and mix are flawless.
B = good work, but would require some editorial and/or production tweaking
before it could be sold.
C = average work, requiring major revisions
D = barely passable, and needs to be re-done
F = hopeless, start over from scratch with a new story.
You have the option of passing in any project that you have tweaked or overhauled completely to try for a better grade. No promises that the grade will improve, but it may be worth a try.
Project 1: Creating a Sound Scene: “Audio Postcard”- 5% 2 minutes*
BRING A CAMERA ALONG FOR A SLIDE SHOW. Slide show – 5% 2 minutes*
Project 2: News cut and script a.k.a. ax and trax -10% 3 minutes*
Project 3: Mixed news item with ambience - 20% 4-5 minutes*
Great Debate: 5% 3-4 minutes*
Project 4: Mixed feature with ambience -20% 4-5 minutes*
Project 5: Mini-doc – Multi-scene, in depth report, 8-10 minutes*
OR shorter mixed piece (4 minutes)paired with an interview (4 minutes)for broadcast/podcast on WTBU. 25%
Exam: 5%
Q&A timed assignment 5%
*Times are minimums and maximums. Do not deviate by more than :30 seconds
• DO NOT STRETCH A PIECE THAT WARRANTS Fewer MINUTES INTO a longer story JUST TO FILL THIS TIME REQUIREMENT.
PLAGIARISM:
Please read the guidelines carefully. You are not to use any tape from any source other than what YOU record in the field -- unless you have written consent from the source and me. If you are doing an internship and have access to other tape, you may use it ONLY with my permission AND the permission of your internship supervisor. You cannot download audio off the web without permission and attribution. You cannot “double dip”—pass in the same story to two different classes. You cannot have family members, roomates or friends pretend to be sources. See DO’s and DON’Ts.
WBUR SHOW: All or some of your stories will focus on the theme we decide to create for the hour show in May. Not everyone’s stories will air. Quality will be the judge…and an editor at WBUR.
SCHEDULE:
Week One 1-26
Public radio today: NPR, PRI, BBC, the wheel, programs
NPR style. History. listening session. Hindenburgh, to Murrow, to today.
Field recording basics. Tascam recorders and phone recordings.
Homework: record interviews and ambience from a variety of sources, locations. Bring flash card to next class.
Read manual in flash recorder or check out blogspot. You will need to create an “audio postcard” with what audio you collect. Have interview describe the scene, but also let the ambient sound tell the story. You should shoot images of the scene you have recorded.
BOOK: Chaps 1,2
Week Two 2-2
Protools: Basic digital editing. Load in tape. Basic edits, fades.
Homework: REQUIRED: Meet with TA to work on postcard. Complete a two minute music/ambience bed, mixing ax with ambience, fading up and down.
Choose topic for cut and script.
Week Three 2-9
Audio postcard (project #1) due.
Listen to students' work. More in-class digital
production.
DISCUSS SLIDE SHOW. Peter Southwick guest.
Homework: CREATE A SLIDE SHOW.
BOOK: chaps 3&4
BY the end of this week YOU SHOULD BE QUITE FAMILIAR WITH ALL THE TECHNOLOGY -- NOW YOUR EMPHASIS SHOULD BE ON THE EDITORIAL CONTENT. If you are still struggling, see the TA for extra help. We will start doing timed exercises, so you’ll need to be comfortable working on deadline.
Week Four Tuesday 2-17
Wrting copy for radio. Narrarive style, developing scenes, characters, a story arc. How to prepare a radio script. Critique former student work.
Homework: report and write #2, cut and script. Work on digital editing and field recording. GET SCRIPT TO ME VIA EMAIL BY 6pm Sunday.
Week Five 2-23
Script for #2. Frog exercise. In class copy editing. Peer editing – bring a couple of hard copies of your script for other students to read. Professional listening session.
Michelle Trudeau “David”, basic NPR fare.
Assignment: . BOOK: Chaps 5&6. If available, read Krulwich, Amos and Simon chaptersThey are among the best in the business. Hear what they say and read those chapters carefully!!
Week Six 3-2
#2 Due. Listen to student work. Discuss ideas for #3.
Writing to sound. Using ambience. RATS. BEARS.Telling the story, beginning middle and end. Zwerdling and the use of surprise. Blind Dog, Scott Carrier.
Homework: Report and write #3. Get scripts to me before 6pm Sunday, via email.
Spring Break
Week Seven 3-16
PROJECT #3 script.
ISAY discussion/listening session. Chickens. Alternative ways of story telling.
Homework: Mix #3.
Date TBA: GREAT DEBATE. MUST ATTEND AND COVER.
Week Eight 3-23
Project #3 due. Listen to student work. Friendly Man. Interviewing, producing Q&A.
NPR video on interviewing. Right Question Project exercise
Assignment: Listen to interviews on line, “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross, ATC, ME, Here and Now, The World. Reort and Write #4
Week Nine 3-30
#4 script Due:
In class story chasing: from today’s headlines, find an expert, do a 10 minute phone or in person interview, load it into computer, and cut it down to a 3-4 minute interview with you as show host.
Homework: mix #4
Week Ten 4-6
#4 Due. Mini-docucmentary, multi-scene story, going deeper Determine what stories will go to WBUR to be included in show.
Homework: Report and write #5.
Week Eleven 4-13
TOUR WBUR
#5 Script DUE 6pm Sunday. Listening session
The docu-drama - when are re-enactments OK?
Tony Kahn, Blacklisted, Mei Mei, War of the Worlds Revisited
ASSIGNMENT: Mix #5
Week Twelve Thurs. 4-23
#5 Due.
Loose ends for WBUR show.
Week Thirteen 4-30 LAST CLASS – you may need to go to WBUR to mix your stories for show after last class. If you are not going to be able to do this, tell me.
Any re-worked material due.
Peter Pan, Wild Room, Job Prospects, freelancing, internships
.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Where to Find Story Ideas
WHERE TO FIND STORY IDEAS
- BE CURIOUS. WALK THROUGH YOUR DAY. LOOK AROUND.
- READ WIDELY: NOT JUST THE GLOBE, BUT TRADE OR SPECIALTY MAGAZINES AND JOURNALS, UNIVERSITY RESEARCH, SMALL REGIONAL OR LOCAL PAPERS, NEWSLETTERS AND PRESS RELEASES. MINE THE BLOGOSPHERE.
- GET ON PEOPLE’S RADAR SCREEN, SUBSCRBE TO LISTSERVS OF ADVOCACY GROUPS ON BOTH SIDES OF ISSUES YOU WANT TO COVER.
- EXAMINE EVERY PURCHASE YOU MAKE OR TAX DOLLAR YOU SPEND: WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? WHERE IS THE PRODUCT MADE? IS IT SAFE, EFFECTIVE?
- EVERY PERSON YOU MEET IS A GOLDMINE OF POTENTIAL STORIES: WHAT DO THEY DO? WHAT MAKES THEM TICK? WHAT ARE THEIR HOBBIES, PASSIONS, HOT BUTTON ISSUES?
- GO OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE TO MEET PEOPLE UNLIKE YOU: TAKE A WALK IN A PARK, OR EAT AT A RESTAURANT FAR FROM BU AND TALK TO FOLKS, WHAT ARE THEY THINKING ABOUT, WORRYING ABOUT, DOING FOR FUN, GETTING MAD ABOUT?
- CHECK THE AP DAYBOOK ON ENPS, SEARCH UNDER “MASSACHUSETTS DAYBOOK”. LISTS EVENTS COMING UP THAT DAY.
- DO NOT REGURGITATE THE FRONT PAGE OF THE GLOBE. TELL ME SOMETHING I DON’T KNOW. IT IS THE NEWS BIZ, AFTER ALL.
- BE CURIOUS. WALK THROUGH YOUR DAY. LOOK AROUND.
- READ WIDELY: NOT JUST THE GLOBE, BUT TRADE OR SPECIALTY MAGAZINES AND JOURNALS, UNIVERSITY RESEARCH, SMALL REGIONAL OR LOCAL PAPERS, NEWSLETTERS AND PRESS RELEASES. MINE THE BLOGOSPHERE.
- GET ON PEOPLE’S RADAR SCREEN, SUBSCRBE TO LISTSERVS OF ADVOCACY GROUPS ON BOTH SIDES OF ISSUES YOU WANT TO COVER.
- EXAMINE EVERY PURCHASE YOU MAKE OR TAX DOLLAR YOU SPEND: WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? WHERE IS THE PRODUCT MADE? IS IT SAFE, EFFECTIVE?
- EVERY PERSON YOU MEET IS A GOLDMINE OF POTENTIAL STORIES: WHAT DO THEY DO? WHAT MAKES THEM TICK? WHAT ARE THEIR HOBBIES, PASSIONS, HOT BUTTON ISSUES?
- GO OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE TO MEET PEOPLE UNLIKE YOU: TAKE A WALK IN A PARK, OR EAT AT A RESTAURANT FAR FROM BU AND TALK TO FOLKS, WHAT ARE THEY THINKING ABOUT, WORRYING ABOUT, DOING FOR FUN, GETTING MAD ABOUT?
- CHECK THE AP DAYBOOK ON ENPS, SEARCH UNDER “MASSACHUSETTS DAYBOOK”. LISTS EVENTS COMING UP THAT DAY.
- DO NOT REGURGITATE THE FRONT PAGE OF THE GLOBE. TELL ME SOMETHING I DON’T KNOW. IT IS THE NEWS BIZ, AFTER ALL.
RADIO NEWSROOM PRODUCTION GUIDELINES
ALL SCRIPTS AND TAPE FOR PRE-PRODUCED MATERIAL MUST BE EMAILED TO SHOW PRODUCER FOR THEM TO EDIT BEFORE SUNDAY NIGHT AT 9PM. IDEALLY, SCRIPTS SHOULD BE SENT BEFORE YOU EDIT TAPE. FAILURE TO DO THIS RESULTS IN A FULL GRADE DOWN FOR THAT ASSIGNMENT. FAILURE TO HAVE IT READY TO GO AT 9AM MONDAY IS A FAILING GRADE. YOU CANNOT FINISH THE PROJECT DURING CLASS MONDAY MORNING.
FOR HOST Q&A:
IF YOU ARE THE HOST OF THE SHOW, YOU DO AN IN PERSON QA. YOU WILL INTRO STORY AND NAME/TITLE OF INTERVIEWEE IN A LIVE LEAD. TAPE SHOULD BEGIN WITH INTERVIEWEES FIRST ANSWER.
TAPE SHOULD RUN 2:00 AND BE A GIVE AND TAKE CONVERSATION, NOT JUST A BATTERY OF QUESTIONS.
TAPE SHOULD END WITH INTERVIEWEES LAST ANSWER.
HOST WILL READ LIVE BACK ANNOUNCE RE-IDENTIFYING WHO WE WERE JUST LISTENING TO.
FOR HOST OR SPORTSCASTER PACKAGES:
YOU WILL READ A LIVE INTRO, AND BEGIN TAPE WITH EITHER AMBIENCE OR A SOUNDBITE, NOT YOUR OWN PRE-RECORDED VOICE TRACK.
PACKAGE SHOULD END WITH AMBI OR SOUNDBITE, NOT YOUR VOICE. WE DON’T WANT TO BUTT TOGETHER YOUR LIVE VOICE WITH A PRE-TAPED VERSION OF YOURSELF. YOU DO NOT HAVE A SOC (STANDARD OUTCUE, FOR WTBU, I’M XX IN BOSTON…).SINCE YOU ARE COMING BACK ON LIVE AFTER THE PACKAGE AIRS.
FOR FIELD REPORTER PACKAGES. WHEN YOU ARE NOT THE HOST:
IDEALLY, YOU WILL START A STORY WITH AMBIENCE. YOU WILL END WITH “FOR WTBU, I’M (YOUR NAME) IN (LOCATION WHERE STORY TAKES PLACE).
FOR HOST Q&A:
IF YOU ARE THE HOST OF THE SHOW, YOU DO AN IN PERSON QA. YOU WILL INTRO STORY AND NAME/TITLE OF INTERVIEWEE IN A LIVE LEAD. TAPE SHOULD BEGIN WITH INTERVIEWEES FIRST ANSWER.
TAPE SHOULD RUN 2:00 AND BE A GIVE AND TAKE CONVERSATION, NOT JUST A BATTERY OF QUESTIONS.
TAPE SHOULD END WITH INTERVIEWEES LAST ANSWER.
HOST WILL READ LIVE BACK ANNOUNCE RE-IDENTIFYING WHO WE WERE JUST LISTENING TO.
FOR HOST OR SPORTSCASTER PACKAGES:
YOU WILL READ A LIVE INTRO, AND BEGIN TAPE WITH EITHER AMBIENCE OR A SOUNDBITE, NOT YOUR OWN PRE-RECORDED VOICE TRACK.
PACKAGE SHOULD END WITH AMBI OR SOUNDBITE, NOT YOUR VOICE. WE DON’T WANT TO BUTT TOGETHER YOUR LIVE VOICE WITH A PRE-TAPED VERSION OF YOURSELF. YOU DO NOT HAVE A SOC (STANDARD OUTCUE, FOR WTBU, I’M XX IN BOSTON…).SINCE YOU ARE COMING BACK ON LIVE AFTER THE PACKAGE AIRS.
FOR FIELD REPORTER PACKAGES. WHEN YOU ARE NOT THE HOST:
IDEALLY, YOU WILL START A STORY WITH AMBIENCE. YOU WILL END WITH “FOR WTBU, I’M (YOUR NAME) IN (LOCATION WHERE STORY TAKES PLACE).
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Basic Audio. Notes from Power Point
Audio Basics
Recording, Editing, Uploading
Why should we care about good quality audio?
Audio is intimate, just you and the voice. One on one.
“Theater of the mind”, leaves room or imagination. Evocative.
Multi-tasking: listen while driving, cooking, taking a shower.
No one likes to cup their ear or crane their neck to HEAR….and let’s face it, we’re not getting any younger.
Basic Gear
You will need:
An digital audio recorder (Run from $100-$1000 depending on quality)
An SD memory card (Zooms require 2G or smaller - same as you’d use for digital camera)
A card reader (or cable to connect recorder to computer)
A computer: software: Audacity (and LAME)
Batteries (Zoom needs 2 AA)
Types of mics
Omni - gets sound in every direction
Uni - shotgun, pole mic, good for gang/crowd situations
Lavalier - tie clip
Internal - what we now use at BU.
Recording Basics
Get in close, a fist’s distance from the mouth of the person speaking.
Put mic slightly off to the side to avoid air implosions (popped P’s).
Monitor audio levels visually, and wear headphones. LOW LEVELS ARE BETTER THAN HIGH. HIGH = DISTORTION.
Keep your mouth silent. No “uh, huh”.
Remain steady, avoid mic “handling” and don’t relinquish mic to interviewee.
Getting Started with Audacity
Take SD card out, and put it into card reader (or connect directly to computer with cable)
Open Audacity
Top Bar: Project. Drop down: Import Audio
Find file (waltham demo or donohue)
Hit: Open
Audio Waves
Notice peaks and valleys. Try to cut in the valleys.
Space bar: stops and starts play
Toolbar: Magnifier. To Zoom in: Click on wav file. Zooms out: Shift/Click on wav file.
Toolbar: Selector (big I) selects sections to cut and paste. Select,cut, drag, paste or delete.
EDIT UNDO is your friend. Nothing is ever lost.
Selecting a soundbite
TOP BAR: Project: Drop down: New track
Get rough ins and outs (tai chi or kids)
Cut and LISTEN. Re-cut if necessary.
Select soundbite
Cut and paste soundbite to newly created track.
Mute/Solo Tracks
Get “clean” ins and outs
Other Features
Boosting volume of soundbite if levels are too low.
Matching volumes of various sounds recorded at different volumes
Cross fades to make seamless transitions between chunks of sound
Pacing, when to include ambience, how much for how long, de-umming, etc.
Exporting Audio
Select Cleaned up Soundbite Track (not rough cuts track)
Top Bar: File. Dropdown: Export Selection as mp3
Name file, save to desktop
From here you can move/upload/ftp to website, Soundslide, or Podcast.
Podcasting
Essentially an audio file on the web
Short sound clips, lectures, book readings, DJ copyright free music, audio tours of your favorite places, “Grape Radio” wine advice.
RSS - Really Simple Syndication allows you to “reach out” on a regular basis to your audience who can receive automatic downloads of your podcast to their ipods, computers or other devices.
Tags help web searches to find you.
Recording, Editing, Uploading
Why should we care about good quality audio?
Audio is intimate, just you and the voice. One on one.
“Theater of the mind”, leaves room or imagination. Evocative.
Multi-tasking: listen while driving, cooking, taking a shower.
No one likes to cup their ear or crane their neck to HEAR….and let’s face it, we’re not getting any younger.
Basic Gear
You will need:
An digital audio recorder (Run from $100-$1000 depending on quality)
An SD memory card (Zooms require 2G or smaller - same as you’d use for digital camera)
A card reader (or cable to connect recorder to computer)
A computer: software: Audacity (and LAME)
Batteries (Zoom needs 2 AA)
Types of mics
Omni - gets sound in every direction
Uni - shotgun, pole mic, good for gang/crowd situations
Lavalier - tie clip
Internal - what we now use at BU.
Recording Basics
Get in close, a fist’s distance from the mouth of the person speaking.
Put mic slightly off to the side to avoid air implosions (popped P’s).
Monitor audio levels visually, and wear headphones. LOW LEVELS ARE BETTER THAN HIGH. HIGH = DISTORTION.
Keep your mouth silent. No “uh, huh”.
Remain steady, avoid mic “handling” and don’t relinquish mic to interviewee.
Getting Started with Audacity
Take SD card out, and put it into card reader (or connect directly to computer with cable)
Open Audacity
Top Bar: Project. Drop down: Import Audio
Find file (waltham demo or donohue)
Hit: Open
Audio Waves
Notice peaks and valleys. Try to cut in the valleys.
Space bar: stops and starts play
Toolbar: Magnifier. To Zoom in: Click on wav file. Zooms out: Shift/Click on wav file.
Toolbar: Selector (big I) selects sections to cut and paste. Select,cut, drag, paste or delete.
EDIT UNDO is your friend. Nothing is ever lost.
Selecting a soundbite
TOP BAR: Project: Drop down: New track
Get rough ins and outs (tai chi or kids)
Cut and LISTEN. Re-cut if necessary.
Select soundbite
Cut and paste soundbite to newly created track.
Mute/Solo Tracks
Get “clean” ins and outs
Other Features
Boosting volume of soundbite if levels are too low.
Matching volumes of various sounds recorded at different volumes
Cross fades to make seamless transitions between chunks of sound
Pacing, when to include ambience, how much for how long, de-umming, etc.
Exporting Audio
Select Cleaned up Soundbite Track (not rough cuts track)
Top Bar: File. Dropdown: Export Selection as mp3
Name file, save to desktop
From here you can move/upload/ftp to website, Soundslide, or Podcast.
Podcasting
Essentially an audio file on the web
Short sound clips, lectures, book readings, DJ copyright free music, audio tours of your favorite places, “Grape Radio” wine advice.
RSS - Really Simple Syndication allows you to “reach out” on a regular basis to your audience who can receive automatic downloads of your podcast to their ipods, computers or other devices.
Tags help web searches to find you.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Story Ideas: BostonNewsDesk.blogspot.com
Announcing…..
BOSTON NEWS DESK
An electronic assignment desk for BU students and faculty
The purpose of the Boston News Desk is to provide BU students and WTBU news staffers with easy access to press releases, a calendar of upcoming events, and important contacts for news stories. This will be a great resource for students seeking story ideas.
Professors, here’s how you can help: please any send press releases you might receive, story ideas, or contact suggestions to me to include in the blog. And please help me to announce the news blog to your classes.
I would love to know what you think about this new blog!. Please check out the site and send me any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions that you may have. The web address is: http://bostonnewsdesk.blogspot.com
Thank you!
Mary Stackhouse, WTBU News
mestack@bu.edu
Graduate Assistant for Prof. Anne Donohue
BOSTON NEWS DESK
An electronic assignment desk for BU students and faculty
The purpose of the Boston News Desk is to provide BU students and WTBU news staffers with easy access to press releases, a calendar of upcoming events, and important contacts for news stories. This will be a great resource for students seeking story ideas.
Professors, here’s how you can help: please any send press releases you might receive, story ideas, or contact suggestions to me to include in the blog. And please help me to announce the news blog to your classes.
I would love to know what you think about this new blog!. Please check out the site and send me any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions that you may have. The web address is: http://bostonnewsdesk.blogspot.com
Thank you!
Mary Stackhouse, WTBU News
mestack@bu.edu
Graduate Assistant for Prof. Anne Donohue
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