1. Choosing the right recording tools for the job Hazzan Rob Menes May, 2015

2.  What are your recording choices?  How can you choose?  System components

3.  Cheap, fast, and poor quality  Better quality, a little more $, a little slower  Serious recording, mobile, limited editing  High quality, multitrack, digital  Professional

4.  Volume and Loudness: Decibels  Frequency Range: Hz  Noise – signal/noise ratio: dB  Power: watts  Resolution (digital): bits, or frequency  Timbre

5.  Microphone  Other Input Devices/Instruments  Analog: Piano, Guitar, Rhythm  Digital: Midi  Mixer and Amplifier  Recording device and media  Headphones  Speakers  Cables  Processing Software  Computer

6.  Iphone, Android, Windows  Tiny microphone  Tiny speakers  Recording app in phone  Sound file saved as wav or mp3  Diversion: explanation of formats  Limited options, limited processing  One input – your voice  Easy to send a soundfile by email

7.  Better Inputs  External Mics  Diversion: microphones  Dynamic  Condenser  USB  Phantom power  Stereo  Line inputs (from mixer)  Recording options  Processing  Formats  resolution  Output media  2 track Inputs

8.  Dynamic (induction)  Less sensitive  Often does not require power  Good for stage, instruments/outdoor  Cheaper  Condenser (capacitor)  Sensitive, particularly in high end  Requires external power  Better in studio  More expensive

9.  Microphone, Mixer, Recorder  Mixers  Enable multiple inputs  Control over volume, timbre  Preset effects (reverb, etc.)  Analog output to various devices  Power to mics  Noise suppression  Digital or analog recorder

10.  Multitrack recorders  Simultaneous recording of multiple inputs  Enabling editing of separate tracks  4, 8, 16 tracks  Built-in mixing, effects, power  Flexible output  Post-Processing on Computer

11.  Mixing of various tracks  Pitch correction (punch in, autotune)  Effects  Cut and Paste  Noise reduction  Examples:  Pro Tools  MusicCreator  Audacity

12. System ComponentLow $High $ Cell Phone100500 Digital recorder200400 Microphones - Dynamic50200 - Condenser1001000 Mixer100400 Multitrack Recorder4001500 Cables0200

13.  Recording has evolved from the cassette  Many choices to improve quality  Significant improvement for $200  Serious quality for $500  Near Professional for $700

14.  Go to http://www.hazzanmenes.comhttp://www.hazzanmenes.com  Hazzan Rob Menes 917-796-8038 (B.A. in physics/math, M.Sc. environmental systems, M.S.M. etc.)