Microphone

We just started a new run of our free online course Music Moves. Here we have a tradition of recording wrap-up videos every Friday, in which some of the course educators answer questions from the learners. We have recorded these in many different ways, from using high-end cameras and microphones to just using a handheld phone. We have found that using multiple cameras and microphones is too time-consuming, both in setup and editing. Using only a mobile phone is extremely easy to set up, but we have had challenges with the speech’s audibility. Before recording this semester’s wrapup videos, I, therefore, decided to test out some solutions based on the equipment I had lying around: ...

I have seen/heard several questions about what type of headset to use for skyping on MacBooks over the last few days. Here are my suggestions: USB headset: Since MacBooks do not come with a separate microphone input (only line level input), regular PC headsets with two mini-jack cables won’t work. I have good experience using USB headsets from Logitech. I have a couple of 250s, but since one of them broke during travel I also got a more durable H555. The latter is nice, since the actual headset can be physically removed from the USB sound card (a small dongle). This means that the sound card can be used with a different headset (or microphone). As such, it serves the same purpose as a small dedicated sound card like the iMic. ...

Earlier this year I wrote a post about how I was going to try out podcasting during the course MUS2006 Musikk og bevegelse this spring semester. As I am preparing for new courses this fall, now is the time to evaluate my podcasting experience, and decide on whether I am going to continue doing this. Why podcasting? The first question I should ask myself is why I would be interested in setting up a podcast from my lectures? There are several reasons: ...