8 Tips for Getting Good Audio

from Peter Stevenson
2009 Museum-Ed Conference
Museum Audio Tours

Rule #1: Find comfortable and quiet place.

Listen for HVAC, doors, ringing phones

Rule #2: Interview in Presence of object

Phrased as if standing in front of work.

High-quality color copies are sufficient

Try in-gallery interviews

Rule #3: no sit ins

Rule #4 record room tone

Audio engineer will want to use it for cuts

Rule #5 use good equipment

Zoom H2 Handy Recorder - $159-179

Rule #6 Mic correctly

Below and to side of mouth

Rule #7 set your levels

Ask "What did you have for breakfast?" Then as they answer, increase until you get distortion, then back off slightly

Rule #8: record room noise!

Audio engineer will want to use it for cuts

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Stacey Wittig of Wittigwriter Sales and Marketing is a marketing strategist and Flagstaff travel writer.