Collective MMO Recording Notes

I promised the orchestra I'd collect some notes from players contributing to "Minneapolis March" to allow us to compare what we did and might have wished we did.  I think for the most part, we used what we had, but several players had suggestions for others wanting to improve.

Recording Devices

Most people used an iPad or Mac to record their audio and video.  One player used an Android tablet.  Several people played audio through headphones from one device, while recording into another.  One player recorded audio with an office computer and later synchronized video from an iPhone, more on this in advice....

Software

The most common submission used whatever software was bundled with the device -- Quicktime, Camera, Garage Band....  A few people used free or relatively inexpensive digital-audio-workstation (DAW) and video-editing software, which I'll list here

• Audacity
• Cubasis2 with the Amplitube Accoustic Free plugin
• OBS Studio
• Shotcut

Microphones

While several people used the built-in microphones, they tend to sound tinny and pick up lots of background noise.  A number of players used and suggest getting either a lavalier mic, e.g. PoPVoice for less than $20, or an inexpensive condenser mic, e.g. Blue Snowball, sometimes for less than $50, though it seems there's been a run on home-audio/video market lately.

A complication for microphones is you must plug it into your recording device.  Most computers can use USB A/B or mini stereo 3.5mm (also called 1/8").  Fewer and fewer phones have 3.5mm stereo inputs now.  I've been able to use USB microphones with a powered USB hub as input for phones and tablets, but it's a hassle.  USB C hasn't caught on for audio and some of the USB C adaptors are flakey.  There aren't a lot of high-quality inexpensive Bluetooth microphones yet, but your phone wireless headset will likely work better than the built-in microphone.

You'll be able to use fancier microphones (i.e. with XLR or 1/4" jacks) if you use a USB audio interface, e.g. from Focusrite or Behringer.  I picked up a simple interface on-sale a few years ago at Guitar Center for $75, but it's usually easier just to use a USB mic.

Cameras

Everyone replying to the survey used built-in webcams.  Several people complained that orienting laptop built-in cameras was cumbersome and at least one planned on using an external camera.

Advice

• Get an external microphone if you're using the built-in one.
• Get a helper, at the very least to aim or compose your video.
• Record your audio first, separately from video. 
• You'll have fewer distractions and can focus on the important stuff.  
• After that, make a video of you playing along (with headphones or speakers, it doesn't matter).  Throw in some dance moves.  Shoot at an exotic location.  Go nuts.
• You can replace the audio on the video with the good stuff you did in the first step.
• Experiment with the audio settings and placement of mics and cameras.
• Don't worry about reverb or other effects.
• Let Ben do his magic, but give him the clearest, cleanest material to work with.
• Use a camera on a stand.  Small tripods cost less than $10, gorilla style camera ones for less than $15.  (Local photoshops and electronic stores have them, too.)
• Experiment with lighting, even turning a music-stand lamp upside-down.  Some music-stand and reading LEDs even have color/warmth settings.
• Post experiments, experiences, and questions here on the blog.