Field Recording of Interviews in Challenging Situations and Basic Tools of Audio Mixing

Abstract

The purpose of this report to offer advice, guidance, and tips to American Folklore Society members who wish to learn about recording audio interviews in a variety of different environments, as well as those who wish to start doing some basic audio mixing of their own. It is primarily designed for those who wish to create professional-sounding productions for broadcast on the radio, via a podcast, on a soundtrack, or through some other media, but the guidance it contains should be widely applicable to anyone working in the realm of audio at a basic level.

This report builds on the earlier, excellent paper written by Taki Telonidis of the Western Folklife Center - “So What’s the Story? A Primer on Making Radio”. However, whereas that report covered reasons why folklorists might benefit from learning about radio production, gave advice regarding crafting stories, and shared guidelines as to how to set up a basic editing session, the nature of this report means that it focuses exclusively on technical matters relating to recording and basic mixing techniques. To help illustrate some of the points made within this report, it contains a number of “before and after” audio examples. Please note that some of these require acute listening to discern the differences. Computer speakers are unlikely to be an adequate means of monitoring these changes; it is therefore either necessary to connect your computer to decent audio monitors or use headphones to listen to these examples.

Despite onslaughts over the year, from film and television and other media, pure audio remains a powerfully intimate and addiction means of conveying stories and talking about meaningful traditions.