Sound Out Media

For a fun time, check out this exploration in microphone abuse on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33QPLbQi9FI

The mike being beat up is the legendary Shure SM-58, the vocal mike of choice for every basement band (and even a lot of them that make it to the concert stage)

Enjoy it, but be very skeptical.  A few things I can believe .. using it as a hammer, dropping it from a balcony onto concrete,  putting it in the freezer is believeable.  Maybe even the part where they put it head-down in a jar of water.

The less believeable part starts when they run over it twice with a car (small car, Toyota).  The mesh gets dented and the video producers say there is a slight difference in sound quality (how “slight” is it, folks?  At this point I wondered how critical their ears are ..)

It was the microwave segment that really got my critical faculties going.  Not because they put it in the middle of a piece of pizza — the mesh on the SM58 is pretty solid, so I don’t think it would react badly to double cheese.  But wait, I thought metal arcs and creates all kinds of light shows in the microwave?  If a microwave can’t handle a random bit of tinfoil that accidentally gets stuck to your leftover pad thai, it’s going to be really unhappy with a six inch microphone in the middle of the revolving microwave turntable.

Besides, so what .. okay, they ran it over it with a car.  And it got dented.  Compare that to running over an EV 635 with a tank (as was allegedly done, though I haven’t seen the pictures).  It worked fine afterwards and didn’t even get dented.  So big deal, guys .. EV still wins hands down.

(A confession:  SM 58s do not like my voice. The EV 635 loves me.  There.  My bias has been revealed. )

The Copyright Board has finally approved the new tariffs related to music on the internet.  And it’s good news for podcasters.

Ever since I started doing podcasts for clients, I have been advising that no music be used except music which is “pod-safe” (which have been created by people who have already said it’s okay to use their music).  Any other music, stay away from it, I said.  Because you have no idea what it is going to cost to use it.  And because you will be responsible for all retroactive fees.

In a majority decision, the Copyright Board has said that it would not impose a tariff on amateur podcasters and social networking sites whose main business is not music.  They have specifically stated that Facebook, MySpace and YouTube are exempt.

In the case of the organizations or businesses that do a podcast and only use music for themes, etc. .. it’s not specifically stated that these are “amateur podcasters”.  But in the absence of a definition, I would argue that even organizations and businesses can be called “amateur podcasters”.  And if they’re saying it’s okay to put music on Facebook, seems to me that their definition of what is allowable is very broad.

Now, since Copyright Legislation is constantly evolving, who’s to say this will be the same in years to come.  But for now, you can go to your CD shelf and pick a piece of music and use it as your theme … and since the wheels of bureaucracy move slowly, there’s not likely to be a change in this anytime soon.

Source: News Release by the Copyright Board of Canada, October 24, 2008.  For complete text of the release, go to

http://www.cb-cda.gc.ca/decisions/iinr200810240062008-e.pdf

I just got a new laptop. With Vista on it.  I’ve been uploading my favourite audio editing programs with fear and trepidation.

My all time favourite editing program is still good ol’ Cool Edit Pro 1.5.  I’ve been using it since … well, since God was Cool Edit Pro and not Adobe Audition.   When Adobe bought it ‘ round about … 2003 or 4, they changed it and tried to make it into a handmaiden to their video programs.  Added a whole bunch of stuff I didn’t need.  And to top it off, the customer service at Adobe is horrible … so I said, I’m not mucking with success.  Love my CEP.

And it works.  I am a happy woman.  So far, Vista was okay.

But then .. massive browser problems.  I could do a basic search but I couldn’t load my Igoogle pages and all my RSS feeds.  I realized just how much I have gotten used to starting the day with coffee, the BBC News, all my internet related blog feeds, various sites about love and life, recipes, travel info and favourite pics … 

And worst of all, my computer wouldn’t even let me update my own blogs.  Oh no!

Thought at first it was because Norton Security was being hypervigilant about detecting viruses, even where none existed.  So I turned off firewalls and tried.  Still wouldn’t work.  Tried Internet Explorer and it wouldn’t even let me log in to IGoogle (I think that’s deliberate because Google and Microsoft don’t like each other).

The solution?  I downloaded Google’s new Chrome Browser.  And so far so good.  I like it and it likes me.

I need to make myself a coffee and catch up on all the RSS news I’ve missed … so good to have everybody back again in one place …

The AIR I referred to is an organization called The Association for Independents in Radio. It’s an American based association of radio producers that I’ve been a member of for about 8 years and have known about even longer.

One of the best things about AIR is its member listserve. Today I read a post from one of our members trying to voice a piece in Buenos Aires in his apartment. Problem is, Buenos Aires is noisy and has a lot of sound bleed from the street (typical of Third World countries). Next part of the story, he’s sitting in an internet cafe trying to do an upload to Germany on a tight deadline and all the bandwidth is being sucked up by the kids playing online video games.

And then in the next message, another AIR member says, hey, I’m in Buenos Aires too. Come use my WiFi when you’re stuck.

There’s also been a funny, funny discussion about why so many people put question marks on sentences? that aren’t questions? And often in the middle? of the sentence too? I’ll ask if I can repost one or two of the best posts — some inspired analysis of voice production techniques in contemporary radio. The Authoritative Voice of public broadcasting versus the informal, oh-so-accessible street voice .. which voice should we be aiming for and why? (Me, I am more on the side of the Authoritative Voice and trying to friendly it up. I never end a declarative sentence with a question mark. But I do swallow my last word …)

The people on the AIR list are the best of the bunch. What I really appreciate is that the most experienced producers take time to validate and help the new people to the business/art/craft/however we define it. it is such a generous community and I am so glad to be part of it.

Up here in Canada, we have a much different culture. There really isn’t such thing as a “radio freelancer” up here because there’s nobody to sell your pieces to except the CBC (although with podcasting, that is changing). CBC radio producers are pretty inaccessible to the rest of us mere mortals .. I don’t think it’s intentional … they work in isolation too.

We’re all an odd bunch … after all, what can you say about a bunch of people who spend the greater part of the day talking to themselves in little soundproofed rooms? Recipe for insanity, folks.

That’s a big reason why I love air. AIR helps me break out of the isolation. It connects me with other people who understand the dynamics of what I do. And why. When you work by yourself like I do, the listserve is a great way to connect. It’s the virtual watercooler.

Consider joining … even if you’re just getting into the field of pod/broadcasting. You will learn a lot and connect with some really great folks. You’ll do better productions and you’ll have fun along the way ..

Here’s the website — www.airmedia.org

(Seedtime Parade - Whitesburg Kentucky 2004)

This morning I was reading an article about a new podcast and blog directory launched by USA Today.

When a large, conservative media organization like this recognizes that they want to get in on the game, you know it’s not Flavour of the Month. Podcasting is here to stay.

I went to their Directory and found that There’s Not Much There. I’m talking five podcasts and blogs under travel, maybe 30 or 40 under business.

Now, I know there are many more directories out there that have thousands of listings. So yes, USA Today is behind on the curve. But what I think the attention by USA Today is showing is that Podcasting and Blogging is becoming mainstream. And part of mainstreaming is positioning your podcasts on a place where mainstream consumers are likely to go.

I’ve noticed a huge difference just in six months. In December when approaching clients, the response would frequently be either “What’s a podcast?” or (from internet savvy communications directors) “Well I want to do it but senior management doesn’t get it. It will be a hard sell”.

Now, some of those clients are coming back to me saying “okay, we’re ready to roll”. A sign that the term “podcast” is now becoming part of the vernacular.

So what that means for you — get into podcasting NOW. The field isn’t crowded yet. You can register your podcast and blog with big directories like USA Today and yours will stand out. You can build brand recognition before your listing gets lost with thousands of others.
It’s like a parade — you notice the floats at the beginning. The middle ones blur together. By the end, you’re ready to go for supper … make sure you’re at the beginning.

Today as I had my coffee and doing my usual RSS/Facebook/Twitter/Magnolia surf, I clicked on a Facebook ad.  Which I don’t usually do, but this one caught my attention.

It was for a Facebook Group called Hamilton- Waterfall Capital of the W orld.  I live in Hamilton and the waterfalls are one of the best kept secrets of this lovely, quirky, contradictory and paradoxical city.  So I joined.

Then my business brain kicked in and I wondered .. okay, is this a fan page, an official city page, a city page which looks like a fan page? .. so I had to look further.  The link on the Facebook page directed me to a larger site called Hamilton, the City of Waterfalls.   It didn’t have the look and feel of a fan site .. further down I saw that it was done by a marketing company here in Hamilton.

Kudos to them .. it’s a lovely site .. nicely designed, lovely to look at.  It integrates different kinds of web applications well — blog, Facebook group, even a section called City of Waterfalls radio (the word radio is going to get my attention every time).  And it also uses mashup elements — The Weather Network embed is useful.    This would also be ideal for a Google Earth embed.  And nice use of Facebook too.

Good work, Ecklund Marketing Group.  Now I have to get out there and add some more falls to my list.

I know I’ve ranted a few times here about bad video sound. Drives me nuts, truly it does.

So I’m really happy whenever I see videocameras or adapters that recognize the need for good miking.

Found this little gadget today — a company called Beachtek - is marketing a little mixer that screws on to the bottom of certain models of higher end camcorders.  And they also have a smaller model that will work on any camcorder with a separate mike jack (which are out there .. I just ordered a Canon model with a mike jack for the school I work with that was only $299.  So you don’t have to sacrifice good sound just because your camcorder doesn’t cost a lot).

The only thing that’s missing (at least I didn’t see one) is a headphone jack. Because it’s very important that you monitor your sound when it’s coming in. Maybe it’s there .. didn’t see it though.

Still, this is a very good thing. And Beachtek is a Kelowna company .. a place where I have spent some very nice times (and drank very nice wine). A couple of reasons to give them business …

I am part of a conversation on Facebook about whether it’s better to put our energies into traditional broadcasting or podcasting.  I was asked about putting a podcast on your blog .. here is what I wrote …

Put your podcast on your blog, yes.  But it’s a better idea to sign up with one of the podcast communities and post your podcast there.   That way, you don’t use up bandwidth on your main site and having to pay your ISP more money.  When you sign up with one of the podcast communities, you also get more promo for your podcast because you will be listed in their directories.  Some of them automatically feed to Itunes too ..
Being on Itunes is a must … it’s the YouTube of podcasting … the biggest source of podcasts on the net.  I haven’t yet researched how the mechanics of signing up your podcast happens .. I do a podcast through the Rabble Podcast Network and somehow it shows up automagically on Itunes.

I am starting a brand new podcast series in August — I am going to Libsyn for hosting.  It costs $10 a month but for me it’s worth it .. the service is good and so is the promo that comes along with it.  Rabble is good too .. but rather specialized and doesn’t get as much traffic as other podcast hosts.

And the big thing is .. get your podcast listed in as many podcast directories as you can .. and make sure it’s set up so that people can subscribe — that way your latest episode will be automatically delivered to  your listeners’ hard drive.  That’s the difference between a podcast and a piece of audio on your webpage — a podcast is a series which is delivered to your subscribers.  It’s like a magazine that arrives in your mailbox every month.

I am listening to a stack of Hi8 videotapes (remember them?)

And yes, you read it right. I’m listening. Nice pictures but the sound is what counts because I am trying to pull off audio clips to use in a radio program I’m doing. Because I can’t go to Chennai before my deadline.

When you’re not looking at the pictures, it becomes evident very quickly what sounds good and what doesn’t. Here are a few tips that spring to mind when you’re doing a videorecording and you want to get good sound (which of course, you do)

a) Determine what’s the most important. Is it the picture or the sound? If you’re doing an interview where the person’s voice is the most important, you might need to sacrifice the nice picture for the good sound. In this case, I am listening to an interview done outside in India. There are some very wild birds .. lots of kids crying and the voices can only be heard by straining one’s ears. So find a quiet room (ya, I know, that’s a tall order anywhere in India .. but at least find a QUIETER room).

b) Set the camcorder up as close to the person speaking as you can. Keep in mind that the microphone that comes built in the camcorder is called an OMNI-directional. Which means it picks up all around you. It’s like a wide angle lens on a camera. So just like you’d walk in closer to get a close-up with a camera, get in closer to get better sound.

c) For the clearest voices you can get, use an external mike. Not every camcorder has an external mike jack .. it’s well worth it to buy a camera that does. Your best solution is a clip-on (lapel) mike with a long cord. You won’t hear the crying kids or the funky bird as much .. if they’re loud, the bird and the kids will still be there. But they’ll be in the background and they won’t distract your audience or obscure the voice of your subject.

d) The above will only work if you have one person who you need to hear. If you have two people, have the person doing the interviewing hold a hand mike. Or have another person hold the mike and move it between the two people talking (best to frame it so that the mike handler isn’t in the frame)

e) Don’t record outside on a windy day. The wind makes noise as it passes over the mike, which makes a really nasty sound. If it’s really gusty, you might not be able to salvage anything.

e) WEAR HEADPHONES! I cannot stress this enough. That way, you’ll hear whether or not the balance between background sound and the foreground sound (ie. the sound you REALLY want to hear). Not every camcorder has a headphone jack … if you’re serious about this, buy the one that does.

Hope this helps … on the plus side .. there is some great Indian music that I’ll be able to use .. and a few other surprises too. And I am reminded .. there is no such thing as quiet in India.

Bear with me, folks. I am learning how to embed a sound link in Wordpress (there’s another way to do this .. which is to buy an upgrade which will allow sound and video files. I will likely do this too, but I’ll start with the cheap way ..)

This is a piece that I composed while in India — it’s called “Millions of Gods and Goddesses”. It was inspired by Lake Nagin .. the picture in the previous post. Kashmir, the most northerly state in India, has been a disputed zone ever since the British left in 1947. The conflict is centred upon religious differences .. because Kashmir is mostly Muslim, Pakistan believes it should have been given to them. India disagrees.

The region is divided by the LOC (Line of Control) between India and Pakistan but the conflicts cross the line on a regular basis (though not as much as it used to).

The piece doesn’t just have the sounds of Kashmir .. or of Muslims. But the sounds from Lake Nagin were its inspiration. Every morning I sat on the veranda of my exquisite private houseboat listening to the calls to prayer from at least 25 different prayer places and mosques. All out of synch with each other.

I’ll post the URL in a minute, but first a big thank you to the Dandoo family for hosting me on the HB Silver Bell. The Dandoos are a Muslim family who truly embody the spirit of peace …

Here is where you can hear “Millions of Gods and Goddesses”