Turning up the Levels on your Audio Skills

The AAERT Best Practices Guide gives us a solid foundation for the audio skills and equipment involved in your digital reporting work. But there’s always room to improve. Ready to give your audio recordings a tune-up? Here are some tips from insider reporters with years of experience in the field

Mixing Like a Pro

Gain vs. Volume
We often think about audio in terms of how loud it sounds. But this “loudness” actually comes from two different controls, and it’s crucial to know the difference!

Gain refers to the amount of power applied to the audio signal coming in through your microphones. Adjusting the gain directly affects the signal you’re recording. Ideally, your mixer or recording device has meters which display the strength or level of the signal, generally in decibels relative to full scale—dBFS or dB for short.

A good place to keep your levels hitting is between -12 dB and -6 dB, though your specific needs may vary a little. If your levels are too low, your recordings will be very quiet—even if they sound all right in your headphones. And if your levels hit above 0 dB, your audio will clip, which means irreparable distortion to the recording!

So now that we’ve looked at gain, how about volume? Volume does not affect the strength, or level, of your audio signal. You can adjust volume up and down all you want, but if your levels are between -12 dB and -6 dB on your meters, they won’t be affected at all!

Volume is simply for your listening comfort, whether it’s your headphones or a computer speaker. Volume is adjusted separately from gain, often with controls near the headphone jack of the device.

Gain and Volume Best Practice Tip
 Stage your gain first, so that your levels are hitting within your desired range.
 -12 dB to -6 dB is a good range to start with.
 Next, adjust the volume of your headphones or speakers to a comfortable listening volume for your confidence monitoring.
 Check your meters frequently. If you find a party becoming louder or quieter and dropping out of the optimal decibel range, don’t be afraid to adjust that gain!

Mixers, Recorders, and Interfaces – Oh My!
When it comes to recording equipment, so much is simply personal preference. However, if you’re wanting to get the most of your gear, you’ll need to understand exactly what its functions and capabilities are! Mixers, field recorders, audio interfaces all serve similar purposes, but there are a few key differences.

Mixers
Mixers provide for advanced audio mixing of multiple channels. Some provide on-boar  recording, and some need to be connected to a computer or other recording device to record your signal. While there are smaller mixers, they can often be quite large.

Field Recorders
Field recorders have many of the functions of mixers, though they are more compact. A field recorder will have the ability to record to an internal drive, an SD card, or send a line out to a computer or other recording device. Some field recorders have on-board microphones, or offer various attachments for more recording options.

Audio Interfaces
Audio interfaces allow for an audio input, such microphones or field recorders, to send audio into your computer for recording. They do not have the ability to record on their own. They range from large multi-channel units to small USB dongles.

Key Considerations
Shopping for recording gear can be both fun and overwhelming! Here are some things to think about as you consider what equipment is right for you.

 Channels: For depositions, you’ll need enough channels to capture each speaking party on their own microphone, plus a table mic or two for backup. For jury trials, the AAERT Best Practices Guide setup requires 4 channels at a minimum – if you can efficiently split channels between, say, the witness stand, clerk desk, and jury box. Miking each location individually would require 8-9 channels!

 Size and Setup Time: Digital reporters have quite a few pieces of equipment to transport from job to job. How big of a device are you comfortable carrying? Where will you set it up? Will it be in the way of your usual setup? Also consider the complexity of the equipment. Can you set it up quickly, or would a smaller, simpler device meet your needs?

 Recording Capabilities: You’ll want at least one backup recording in addition to your main recording. Even better—consider three recordings: one on your computer, one on a mixer or field recorder, and a third on a small handheld field recorder with onboard microphones. Be sure you have a method of sending the audio from your microphones to at least one backup recording, as well as your computer. You may find you’ll need to record on a mixer or field recorder, and run a line out from this device into your computer using an audio interface.

 Quality: When it comes to your livelihood, investing in quality gear pays off in both quality and longevity! Avoid the temptation to purchase inexpensive equipment from little-known brands. Some quality brands to consider are listed below, though the list is not exhaustive – and rest assured, none of them have paid to be on this list!

o Mixers and Field Recorders: Behringer, Mackie, PreSonus, Tascam, Yamaha, Zoom
o Audio Interfaces: Behringer, Focusrite, M-Audio, Native Instruments, UGreen

Wireless Lav Mics: Worth It?
Wireless lav mics have a lot to offer when it comes to digital reporting. They can shave minutes off your setup time, clear up the space required for XLR cables, and offer a sleek, inobtrusive profile compared to many mics. Just as with recording equipment, it’s worth investing in quality mics by reputable brands such as Sennheiser, Shure, or Rode. Interested in adding them to your kit? Here are some things to consider:

 Transmitters and Receivers: Wireless mics generally come in two pieces: the transmitter (the mic itself), and the receiver (the device that receives the audio from the mic). Receivers might have a ¼” line out, or an XLR. Be sure you have channels available on your mixer for your mics and receivers, and the appropriate cables or converters.

 Table Placement: Wireless mics may need to be placed closer to the speaking party than your usual lav mics. There are many small, affordable tripods available that allow you to set up the mic on a table. Be sure to read carefully—some mics may need an additional “shoe” adaptor in order to sit securely on the tripod.

 Lapel Placement: If you’re thinking of placing the mic on the speaking parties, have a backup plan in case they refuse. Many wireless lav mics have magnetic clips, which are less damaging to clothing than alligator clips or pins. Be sure the mic is facing upwards towards the speaker’s mouth, and out of the way of clothing, jewelry, or long hair. Keep in mind, a party might forget they are wearing the mic since there is no cable tethering them to your equipment! Keep careful track, and be ready to remind your participants to remove their mics when taking a break or leaving at the end of the day!

 Batteries: You’ll need to research the average battery life of the mics you’re considering buying – and that goes for both the mic and the receiver. Charge your equipment the night before your job, and consider placing several table mics as a backup, in case a lav mic were to lose battery power!

 RF Interference: While quality wireless mics tend to do well against radio frequency interference (RF Interference or RFI), some environments may cause your wireless equipment to pick up noise or even radio stations! Always have some cabled mics on hand should you need a backup plan.

Keeping Equipment Neat and Clean
As a digital reporter, you already know that attorneys are very perceptive people. As such, it’s important to make a good first impression! Few things scream “careless” as much as pulling a snarled nest of cables out of your bag and struggling to untangle them while setting up for a job. After all, if your equipment looks this bad, attorneys may worry what kind of a state their transcript will be in!

Cables: It’s a wrap!
Keeping your cables wrapped neatly ensures you’ll have a clean, professional presentation whilst you set up – and it will make your job easier, too! Properly wrapped cables lie flat, making them easy to work with compared to bent and kinked cables. And speaking of bent cables, those bends and kinks can damage the metal inside, causing the cables to transmit noise or even fail altogether!

Did you know there’s a proper way to wrap or coil your cables? The method commonly called “over-under” ensures that your cables sit in a neat circle, free from twists, kinks, and knots. Setting up a coiled cable is a breeze, because it unrolls perfectly. Do a quick search for tutorials on the over-under method online, and ensure you’re caring for your cables properly! It will extend the life of your cables, and make your setup that much easier!

Invest in some Velcro cables ties to keep your cables secure when wrapped. These ties can also be helpful for bundling up multiple cables in your setup, avoiding the chaos of cables running all over the place. There are even colored cable ties, which you can use to code your cables and quickly identify where each cable is connected.

Clean Cables
So, your cable management is pristine. But have you ever stopped to think about all the surfaces on which your cables lay? Cables may come into contact with people, tables, and the floor. As such, they can pick up dirt and germs! Use an alcohol wipe or a soft cloth lightly spritzed with lens cleaner to wipe down the length of your cables at least once a week. Allow the cables to dry before storage.

Microbe-Free Mics
Whilst we’re on the subject of germs, think about your microphones! Windscreens or pop filters can become sponges for moisture and microbes. Fortunately, cleaning them is easy. Remove them from the mic and carefully wash them in warm, soapy water. Dish soap works just fine! Wring them out gently and allow them to air dry completely before returning to your microphones.

The mesh grill of your microphones can be cleaned much like your cables – with an alcohol wipe or a soft cloth with a light spritzing of lens cleaner. Avoid getting them too wet.

Ideally, you should clean your microphones after every job.

Beautiful Bags
Now that all of your equipment is sparkling clean, the last thing you’ll want to do is return it to a dirty bag! Empty the contents of your equipment bags regularly and tip out any dirt that may have accumulated. A handheld vacuum or hose attachment can be helpful for sucking out any stubborn dirt – just be sure all of your equipment is taken out first!

Finally, the easiest way to keep your bag clean is to avoid using it to carry any items besides your equipment. Snacks, liquids, wrappers, and garbage can easily produce crumbs and debris which can lodge in your equipment, making for a real hassle!

The Sound of Success
In this month’s segment, we’ve covered the principles of audio mixing, recording equipment, wireless microphones, and equipment care. When it comes to creating the best audio record possible, there’s always more to learn and refine. Did you find anything surprising in our tips? Did we miss out on a topic you’d like to learn more about? Let us know in the comments!

Until next time, happy reporting!