audio project questions

Q: Where is the project description and the Janet Cardiff sound file?
A: To find older items on the blog, just do a search or look under the LABELS list on the side bar. Try "schedule", "project 1" or "artists".

Q: Can I convert an MP3 to a WAV so that I can use it in my project?
A: No. You can convert from a larger file (WAV) to a smaller file (MP3), but not the other way around. It's like trying to expand a sweater that shrank in the wash. Doing so is bad practice and just plain silly.

Q+A: How do I attribute my sources from Freesound?

Q: What are other sites where I can find sound clips?
A: Recording your own sounds is your best option, but you may also try these:
Find Sounds is a search engine that will allow you to search by file type and size.
Sound Dogs is an online sound effects library.
Archive.org is a giant library of all kinds of media, including audio, video, and text.

Q+A: What is Ogg Vorbis?

Q+A: What is FLAC?

Q: Can I use FLAC or Ogg Vorbis for my project?
A: No, because Audacity does not yet support this FLAC, and because Ogg Vorbis is a compressed file type (like MP3s).

Q: What can I check out from Media Services?
A: You can get audio, video and photo equipment, headphones, mics, adapters, and a lot more. Just be sure not to wait until the last minute, as other people might have things checked out.

Q: What is the lending policy at Media Services?
A: AV equipment may be checked out by any student with a college ID. All equipment is checked out for 24-48 hrs.

Q: What are the hours for Media Services?
Here are our extended hours with night shift and student workers for the weekend:
M-Th 8am-10pm
Fridays 8am-5pm
Sat 11am-7pm
Sun 1pm-9pm
You can pickup equipment anytime they are open, but they can provide more support and instruction during the hours the regular staff is in - weekdays 9-5.

life-saving tips

the top 2 rules for working with digital media:
1-always save to a folder on the desktop...
never save directly to your flash-drive or g-drive
2-back up your project in at least 2 different locations

What this means:
-When you begin working on a project, create a folder that serves as a container to hold your project files. Set scratch disks (see post below) to save to that folder.
-When you finish working for the day, COPY THE FOLDER FROM THE DESKTOP to your flash drive AND g-drive, CD, or other media.
-When you return to work another time, insert the flash-drive into the computer and DRAG THE WORK FOLDER ON TO YOUR DESKTOP.
-Always eject your flash-drive, do not just yank it out of the USB port.

making sure Audacity works for you

Tutorials due for Wed/Th: http://www.edhsonline.org/other/audacity/
Always work from the desktop, not from your flash drive and never from the G-drive.

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE.1- BEFORE you open Audacity, trash your preferences. This means that you will remove any settings and configurations from previous work sessions, so that you can start with a clean slate every time. Go to your HOME directory > LIBRARY > PREFERENCES > Audacity Preferences. It is a stand-alone file. Send it to the TRASH! (See above screen capture image for an illustration of the path).

2- Open Audacity directly from the applications folder, not from the dock and not by double clicking on your project file. Then open your .aup file through FILE > OPEN.

3- CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE.
Before working in Audacity, EVERYTIME YOU OPEN THE PROGRAM, you need to set your scratch disks. This process tells the program where you will be storing your work files. Go to PREFERENCES > DIRECTORY and choose the FOLDER that you created on the DESKTOP for your project. You may have to restart the program, but you will not have to re-set the scratch disks until the next time you log on.

4- Save early and often.
5- Check the forums for advice

When you record:
++ Remember, you will need a stereo mic and a stereo XLR-mini adaptor when you check out a microphone from Media Services.