This
week, we will be using a microphone to record our own voice
work. Several sessions ago, you were asked to check to see if
your computer contained an internal microphone. If it didn’t,
a microphone purchase was suggested. As stated at that time,
a small inexpensive microphone from someplace like London Drugs
or Future Shop was recommended (around $10 or so). It was also
stated that those Mac owners who did not have an internal microphone
should contact me for further directions.
2.
SETTING UP THE MICROPHONE
Setting
up the microphone consists of plugging it in and then activating
it.
PLUGGING
IN THE MICROPHONE
a.
On
a PC, the microphone is plugged into the back of the computer.
Look at the place where most of your cables are plugged
in. You will see a small panel with three inputs.
b.
The
input at the right of this panel should be red with a
small microphone icon. Plug the microphone in here.
ACTIVATING
THE MICROPHONE
There
are two things that need to occur in order to activate
the microphone. If you have an external microphone,
check to see if it has an off/on or volume switch. If
so, make sure it is “on” and the volume
is turned “up.”
You also need to make sure the computer is set up for
microphone input. To do this, follow the steps below:
a.
On
the Taskbar, find Start. Click on it and find - Settings
- Control Panel. Find Sounds & Audio Devices. A window
should open.
b.
In
the window, find “Sound Recording.” Click
on the “Volume” button. Another window will
appear.
c.
Find the “Microphone” column. Make sure the
“Select” square is checked and the Volume
Slider is turned up.
d.
Go
to the upper left corner of this window. Find “Options.”
Click on this and a small pop-up window will give some
options. Select “Advanced Controls.” A slightly
modified window will open.
e.
Find
the “Advanced” button. Click it an a new window
will open.
f.
In
this window, make sure “1 MicBoost” is checked.
Close.
TESTING
THE MICROPHONE
To
run a microphone test, we will use Audacity.
a.
Make
sure your microphone is plugged in and has been activated.
Launch Audacity.
b.
Look
at the Top Menu Bar in the program. There are two buttons
we need to be familiar with in order to do microphone
recording in Audacity. These are the “RECORD”
and “STOP” buttons. The “Record button
is red. The “Stop” button is yellow.
c.
Place yourself in microphone “ready” position.
This is a position that will allow you to speak into the
microphone so you can be recorded. For those of you with
internal microphones, this should just be a normal position
with your computer.
d.
Click
on the red “Record” button (once) with your
mouse. You will notice a new Track being created and the
Playback head starting to move.
e.
Start
speaking. You should notice your voice creating a Waveform.
f.
Click
the “Stop” button. One of two things will
have occurred.
1.
Your
voice created a waveform in the audio track. This
means your session was successful. You can play
back the track and listen to it. You have your microphone
working and Audacity will let you record your voice
into the program. You can quit Audacity and move
on with the Session.
2.
The
other thing which may occur is that no waveform
was created as you spoke into the microphone. A
simple straight line was the only result. If this
occurs, you have to do a bit of troubleshooting
to discover the problem.
a.
Check
the microphone to make sure that any on/off
or volume switches are properly positioned.
b.
Run
through the “activation procedure steps
above again.
3.
Now
return to your Audacity program to try re-recording.
Eliminate the current track by clicking on it to
select it and then going to the TOP MENU BAR - REMOVE
TRACKS. The track should disappear. Click on the
purple REWIND button. Now start recording again.
Click
on AUDIO
categories at the top left side of the page to access further
knowledge and skills.
