Hello Folks!
It’s been a very interesting few days. First, I must say that you people are just a total class act; you couldn’t ask for a better-hearted group of people. You guys are going places, maybe even to heaven.
Well, as it happens, I have some experience with professional audio engineering, and offered to help by cleaning up some audio files so that they could post them on the site as pod-casts. First, I did one for Kris Berg in SoCal when she interviewed the CEO of Redfin, Inc. You can listen here.
Next, I “scrubbed” some audio for a seminar on web potency for Realtors that was conducted by Dustin Luther from Move.com & Realtor.com. You will find these pod-casts at BloodhoundBlog soon, I’m sure.
I’m very excited to help these guys out, as audio engineering is actually rather relaxing for me. It’s a really fun hobby (although extremely expensive), and gives me a chance to exercise the other side of my brain. One of the things I would like to offer to the world at large, is just a bit of advice on how to go about setting up a very affordable and professional sounding portable audio rig to do some recording. For the purposes of this brief treatise, I will assume an absolute ignorance of all things audio, so if you’re a know-it-all, just indulge me for a moment.
I have come up with a plan that includes 3 or 4 very small and inexpensive pieces of audio gadgetry that together would cost less than $400, and would capture audio for both interviews and seminars (or anything else, for that matter) with aplomb. Now, these items that I am about to list are readily available, and are cheap. (Note to Audio Geeks: I know that there are much better tools for this job, and you’re foaming at the mouth to make a recommendation. Let me just preemptively state that I am aware that this job can also be done admirably for around $12,000. Just go back to your corner.)
The first scenario that I envision is that you’ll want to interview a person and record it for posterity. Maybe you’ve found a really neat person whose opinion really matters, and you want to share it with others. Maybe you would like to record your next listing presentation (is this a real estate site?) so that you can hear how ridiculous you sound. Well, here’s what you’ll need:
2 Cables
There you go! Two close microphones to pick up the sound, two cables to carry the sound, and one stereo digital recorder to capture your every breath! NEAT! And it all runs on batteries.
Now, the next scenario presupposes that you are at a geekinar seminar where there’s going to be a master guru sales weasle. First, you’ll want to ask him if it’s okay (maybe you should’ve asked the guy you interviewed too, sheesh! Details!) if you record him giving his talk. If he says it’s a great idea and asks for a copy, you’re golden. If he looks around for his attorney, or his bodyguards, make a break for the crowd and try to blend in. Once you’ve got permission (in writing?) you just slap this puppy on the table near where he’ll be pacing and ranting, and BAM! You’ve got it.
I hope that you’ll take these little ideas and run with them. Make beautiful audio recordings. It’s fun!
Allen
Brian Brady says:
Great advice. I may be asking specific equipment advice in the near future. Welcome!
February 9, 2007 — 10:40 pm
Greg Swann says:
Alllen, I cannot begin to tell you how delighted we are to have you with us.
The Dustin Luther podcasts Allen mentions were recorded by Rudy Bachraty of Sellsius Blog. The first of three will appear tomorrow.
February 9, 2007 — 11:29 pm
Cathleen Collins says:
Welcome Allen. I’m thrilled to see you contributing… Not only are you a first class audio techie, you are also a top producer and you can write! I look forward to your posts.
February 10, 2007 — 12:54 pm
Allen Butler says:
Thanks a lot guys. I’d be tickled pink to give specific ideas for anybody’s unique audio needs. Thanks for the kind words Ms. Collins. I seem to remember a degree in British literature somewhere in my past. . .or was that history?
Allen
February 10, 2007 — 1:05 pm
John Schroeder - Waunakee RE/MAX Preferred Realtor says:
Great post. As more REALTORS start to implement audio and video into their websites they will be on the look out for good recommendations of products. Your recommendation is straight forward and inexpensive. You show that you really don’t need to spend a lot to get a good recording.
April 19, 2007 — 10:52 am