audio

Briefing – Episode 54, Managing files

 Ideas, Inspiration, Technology  No Responses »
Jun 092012
 

Oh, and by the way, always make a back-up.  Before you pass anything onto learners back up the disk to your laptop and keep it safe just in case something unfortunate happens… need I say more…

Another thing to consider is the syntax you might use when naming files.  For example you might have the name of the learners but also a code which points to the class, task or project.  One thing you don’t need in the title of course is the date, amazing how many times you see that.  File names can be quite long if you want, usually up to 255 characters so enough for several names but consider initials or short names just to keep titles to 1 line on the desktop.

How long do you keep them?  1 term, a year?  Do you burn them off onto a CD or DVD?  Do the school have a policy on it?  Photos are the property of the school so should be covered by procedures and processes somewhere.

Briefing – Episode 44, Headphones

 Information, Technology  No Responses »
Mar 232012
 

Just like most of us I use headphones every day when listening to music and podcasts on my iPod, so comfort is a very important feature for me.  I find the ones that sit on my ears really uncomfy, and the expensive closed-back, over the ears ones are too heavy. So the small in-ear buds are my workhorse.  In a recording studio you would never use ear-buds, the higher audio quality of the over-the ear, closed back BeyerDynamic ones are an industry standard.

A recent feature which you may have come across are “noise cancelling” headphones such as those made by Bose.  These listen to the noise outside the headphones and reduce that by cancelling it out using reverse phasing.  The headphones noty only sound lovely but they effectively get rid of the rest of the noise that might creep into your head from the outside world.  Try them out at a Bose retailer.

There’s no need to pay huge amounts of money for headphones which are going to be used in a club, for example by a DJ. Go for a mid range price over the ear model such as these by Sennheiser.

Beware educational suppliers who are offering you everything you dream for and only charge you a few quid for them, they will need extreme care and loving tenderness to get them to last longer than a term.

Got any headphones advice or recomendations?  Let us know in the comments section below and please subscribe here or over on YouTube.

Briefing – Episode 41, Batteries

 Information, Personal Productivity, Technology  1 Response »
Mar 022012
 

Do try and cut down on your reliance on alkaline batteries and replace them with rechargeable ones.  There are a bewildering array of types and chemicals being used but really any rechargeable is better than using disposable.  You can get great batteries and chargers in sets from Jessops and Maplins in the UK and I’m sure you will have no problem elsewhere. They feel pricey, especially when you will probably want to buy more than 8, but remember that they are a once in a lifetime purchase – well they should last you enough time for them to become obsolete!

The EEV blog http://www.eevblog.com/ is an excellent place to go for more technological information, delivered by Dave Jones in his own idiosyncratic style.  Dave’s battery post is here.

Don’t throw your used batteries in the bin, make sure they are disposed of properly.  How do you dispose of your used batteries?  Is there a simple and convenient system in place for you?  I think B&Q have a battery bin in their stores, but if you know of anywhere else do let us know in the comments section below and please subscribe here or over on YouTube.

Briefing – Episode 10, Leads for audio and video

 Technology  1 Response »
Sep 272011
 

You will probably need a large bag of leads in your store cupboard as they do break and get nicked over time.  Microphone leads are usually XLR to XLR female to male.  You might need XLR to Jack if your amp or mixer doesn’t have the XLR inputs usually found on amplification gear.

Do you have a leads nightmare? Do you know who to speak to to get your leads repaired?  Being able to wield a soldering iron is a blessing in a school.

Briefing – Episode 8, Audio recorders

 Technology  1 Response »
Sep 132011
 

There are some great, actually I will go as far as to say outstanding, audio recorders out there.  I don’t think you can get a duff one.  Do buy it from a music shop though and avoid dictaphones.  I like Tascam, but the Edirol and Zoom are fab too.

Any advice, or suggestions?  Do let us know at info@astartog.co.uk and do subscribe and get an email every time we post something.