Audacity (1.3.9 Beta) Guide

Audacity Guide

Audio Recording Equipment

Olympus WS-500M

• Supports music files in MP3 and WMA formats.
• The WS-500M has 2GB of internal flash memory.
• Enjoy an amazing 545 hours of recording time.
• The unique “USB Direct” design means you can connect it right to the USB port on your computer and download or transfer audio, music, photos and more.
• Built-in stereo microphone.
• Use the Voice Activation mode to record sound, via the built-in microphone, without ever lifting a finger.
• Organize up to 200 files in each of five available folders for quick retrieval and storage convenience.
• The LCD supports and displays three languages.
• Up to 21 hours of continuous operation with only one AAA battery.
• Records 545 hrs
• USB Direct design
• Built-in Stereo Mic

Available at The Source for $119 CDN. Works with both Mac and Windows

It’s best to have a separate microphone and mic cable (more flexible). Sony makes good mics that are reasonably priced. You can get XLR to stereo-mini cables at The Source (make sure it’s stereo-mini, not mono-mini). Approximately $15 CDN.

WordPress Guide

WordPress Guide (Word Doc)

Video Guides:

Learn How to Customize the Dashboard

Customizing Writing Settings

Customizing Reading Settings

Customizing Discussion Settings

Adding Widgets

Adding and Removing Users

Embedding YouTube Video

CNO production checklist

Production Day Checklist

Web video style

There are a number of important editing techniques you can use to give your web video professional style:

Fade in and fade out the video and audio tracks at the top and tail of your video. Video and audio that starts and stops immediately can have a jarring effect on the viewer. Besides, omitting fades is just not polished editing.

Use straight cuts between clips during sequences. Straight cuts allow the videographer to set and keep the pace of the story. Using fancy transitions during sequences can slow down the visual storytelling.

Use a variety of shots when developing sequences: establishing (wide) shot, followed by a medium shot, followed by a close up, followed by a medium close up, etc. A wide variety of shots will keep the viewer interested.

Use dissolves when changing scenes. A dissolve is a great transition to use when going from one location to another and provides a visual cue that something new is coming up.

Always cross-dissolve audio between video clips. This will eliminate clicks and pops and dramatic changes in volume level.

Always sign off . . . “For Capital News Online, I’m Roger Martin.” Not only is this polished and professional, it’s also promotional. It reminds the viewer where they are and who just produced this excellent web video.

Using Final Cut Express

Apple has excellent tutorials for basic video editing with Final Cut Express/Pro:

Final Cut Express Tutorials

1. Capturing from Tape (Video Camera)
   Note: When capturing footage from the Canon HV20, you have to cue your clips using the camera’s playback control because the normal Capture window is not available with some HD video cameras including the Canon HV20.
2. Creating Your Movie
3. Timeline Basics
4. Transitions
5. Trimming
6. Mixing Audio
7. Audio Filters
8. Using Filters and Effects
9. KeyFrame Animation
10. Sharing your Movie

Mapping network drives

On a Mac

In Finder (OSX 10.5.x)  . . . 

1. Choose “Connect to network” from the Go menu
2. Choose “smb://ccsnas02/capitalnews$” from the list (or type it in the field)
3. Click “OK”
4. In the dialog box that pops up, type your Connect username and password and click “OK.” Be sure to add “cunet/” in front of your username

In Finder  (OSX 10.4.x) . . . 

1. Choose “Connect to network” from the Go menu
2. Choose “smb://ccsnas02/capitalnews$” from the list (or type it in the field)
3. Click “OK”
4. In the dialog box that pops up, type your Connect username and password and click “OK”

On a PC

In Windows Explorer . . .

1. Choose “Map Network Drive…” from the Tools menu
2. Choose R: as the drive letter
3. Type the path \\ccsnas02\capitalnews$
4. Click “Finish”
5. You may be prompted for your username and password. Be sure to add “cunet\” in front of your username

Downloading photos on a Mac

The beauty of Mac computers is that you don’t need to install special drivers to download photos. The functionality is built into the Mac OS.

Downloading photos

These instructions are specific to students in Capital News Online, but will work for others if you follow it as a general guideline.

Creating audio slideshows

Using Soundslides to create audio slideshows

Editing audio

Editing audio with Audacity

With thanks to Mindy McAdams (Teaching Online Journalism) for producing an excellent guide for editing audio using Audacity. Mindy’s post on editing with Audacity can be found at: http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2007/part-2-of-the-quick-and-easy-guide-to-audio-editing/