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- What is
the average turn around time on projects that have to be edited, like
conferences, seminars or conventions?
- Why should I split my presentation into five to 10 minute tracks?
- Why use a condenser microphone instead of a regular tape recorder
microphone?
- Why should I use a separate hard drive to record and store my audio
files as opposed to my C:/ drive which has enough space to store my
audio files?
- Pro tools software is the best software out there and industry
standard, why should I use anything other than that for my recording?
- What kind of system should I use for storage of my audio files?
- What resources should I read to keep up to date on the audio field?
- Is there any other audio production software out
there that can convert all types of audio files to and from any
audio format
- What purpose does the music in a presentation serve?
- Is it necessary for another person to do an introduction to a
presentation other than the speaker that’s actually presenting the
material?
- What should I do before going into a recording session at Pro One
Studios?
- Can I use other people’s material, written or
sung, such as a book or audio CD for a song to use on my
presentation?
- Can I promote my own material in another person’s presentation as an
invited speaker?
- I’m in an MLM business, are there things that I can and cannot say
in my presentations or tools recorded at Pro One Studios?
What is
the average turn around time on projects that have to be edited, like
conferences, seminars or conventions?
The short answer is that with any presentation that needs to be edited
the time it takes depends solely on the length of the
recording time, and if there are any suggested edits as well as the
general edit for CD duplication. This can take anywhere from 2 hours to
three days.
If you would like to learn more on the steps involved and how we go
about editing, we have listed the audio editing procedure we use below:
BACK TO FAQ
The format of the audio is relevant to the turn around time on any
project. In other words, if the material the convention, conference or
seminar has been recorded on is a tape cassette, or DAT or Mini Disc,
these types of formats will have to be converted to digital form for
editing. The duration of the presentation is equal to the conversion of
the analog format to digital audio for editing. So, let’s say you have a
conference presentation that lasted four hours or more, you have four
hours or more of digital conversion.
During the conversion process the material is listened to for any
discrepancies. There is the obvious that needs to be edited such as off
color jokes, inappropriate language, anything that may bring offense to
any of the members of an organization or company, on occasion there are
other edits requested by the clients that also lengthen the project
time. There are also things like certain claims that can bring legal
actions against the company such as there are with health companies. We
suggest consulting a lawyer on these matters and have them resolved
before services are rendered.
There are other factors taken into consideration, such as any required
content that should not be mentioned as per the company’s policy or
counsels recommendations if the company is partly owned by a number of
investors. Edit times are noted as the material is listened to which
makes it less time consuming and leaves but two steps to complete the
project.
The first is audio quality: are there any discrepancies in the audio
that should be cleaned, or enhanced in any form to make the audio much
more pleasant, and professionally presented? If so, it is then addressed
and corrected. This procedure is handled before the conversion process.
It is listened to and then it is corrected, then conversion process
begins. If any more adjustments on the sound quality needs to be
addressed then it is done within the software while editing stages.
The next step depends on the format that the client prefers to have it
transferred to, such as audio cassette, CD, Mini Disc, or any other
format. Normally the two that are requested are CD’s or tape. If the
audio is to be transferred to tape then there is an additional hour
added to the overall time of the audio project. If the format the client
requests is CD the procedure is then lessened by several hours, much
more so if the original audio master, or the unedited audio material is
on CD format. Any other format that is not CD will require the material
to be digitally converted for audio editing, meaning that the audio
duration is the amount of time duration for audio conversion to digital
format for editing. The CD format is the most efficient and most
expedient. An hour of material can be loaded into a system in mere
minutes leaving that hour of real time recording for editing and
listening at the same time, lessening the amount of time spent on the
project.
During the listening stage there is also the splitting of the tracks
into segments of 5 to 10 minutes for easy listening, and convenience of
repeating tracks or segments for memorization of teachings.
The length of such presentations normally last around an hour. I must
mention that there have been a handful of speakers that have spoken much
more than an hour, like perhaps three hours, and those presentations are
split into two or three CD’s. I don’t recommend any speaker have a
marathon of that type for it can be harmful to the vocal chords. But be
it as it may, I have experienced this first hand and normally the orator
has a very strong voice. However it will put a strain on the vocal
chords. Now, the attention span of any listener is 45 minutes tops, but
then again how much of all that is actually remembered? Not much and it
all depends on the listener. Hence the need to split the tracks into 5
to 10 minute segments for easy listening. Some tracks are seamless and
found within certain segments to keep the flow of the thought in tact
and not have to go into another interlude before picking up again.
Interludes are music beds placed underneath the orator as a cue that the
speaker is now coming to the end of his thought and will be picking up
again in the next track.
Presentations that are segmented give the audio project more of a
commercial effect or neatly presented teaching. It gives the option to
the listener to repeat a certain segment in order to memorize and better
understand the material. These are just a few of the reasons to split
audio presentations that last over an hour into five or 10 minutes
segments, the quality of the presentation is then enhanced and taken to
another level professionally. You will definitely stand out a cut above
the rest in the same field of expertise.
The next step is to Master the audio. Mastering voice presentations are
not as complex as mastering a music composition. There are not as many
steps, and normally it is a matter of bringing out the presenters voice
with warmth and inviting ambience. Not something that sounds cold and
distance, unless the presenter was recorded in an auditorium, stadium or
someplace where the audio can not be altered in any way. The voice of
the presenter is taken into consideration when adding any kind of audio
enhancements as well, such as equalization, and compression. Once this
stage of the process is complete there leaves the red book standard
procedure, which is the industry standard for Burning of CD’s. At this
stage there is also some track information text placed on the CD. That
information is pertinent to Author, topic or subject at hand, theme or
any other information that the client chooses to have displayed on the
screen when the CD is played on players that have the feature. Once this
is done the CD then is burned onto a disc and it’s then labeled,
archived as a production copy along with the original master and then
it’s sent to the duplicators.
There are many aspects to the procedure that have not been included such
as backing up the audio to CD or any other format for storage and
archiving, burning time of CD, rendering of audio project within the
audio production software, and the paper work for each of the audio
information for future reference. These are all taken into consideration
when a project is handled. The process begins at the table with the
clients consultation, suggestions and overall project process such as
what’s to be expected during the session, and any other preliminaries.
BACK TO FAQ
Why should I split my presentation into five to 10 minute tracks?
Listening fatigue is one, but more for a professional presentation. A
speaker can speak on average of an hour but it is recommended that the
time be limited to fourty five minutes and no more. To have an audio
presentation split into tracks will give you a quality presentation and
a professional feel, and sound.
BACK TO FAQ
Why use a condenser microphone instead of a regular tape recorder
microphone?
Quality is the answer. Using a high quality microphone, especially one
that requires phantom power, or a condenser microphone, will give the
user a warmer, and apparent strong voice no matter the voice type being
recorded. There are other reasons why you don’t want to use a tape
recorder type microphone; you know the kind, from the Mod Squad era, or
Kojak era. These types of microphones pick up a lot of static and sound
terrible, almost like having your TV on and hearing white noise or pink
noise, in other words it’s almost like listening to static on your
Television Set. More on microphones in the appendix A section.
BACK TO FAQ
Why should I use a separate hard drive to record and store my audio
files as opposed to my C:/ drive which has enough space to store my
audio files?
I don’t know how to stress this if you are doing your own recordings to
have them sent over to Pro One Studios for editing. It’s so important to
maintain audio files on another disk drive other than your local C:/
drive. Your C:/ drive holds your operating system and other software. If
you don’t want to have your programs and other documents at risk I
recommend that you purchase if you do not have one, a separate disk
drive preferably an external one with minimum 80 gigs of space and 250
if you plan to have many sessions recorded. The reason for this is to
have that drive ready to be periodically cleaned or defragmented or even
erased. If audio is placed on the C:/ drive then all of your other work,
along with all of your documents of great importance to you will be at
risk. I don’t think that would be a great idea. However, if you don’t
use the computer for anything but email and web surfing by all means
have at it.
BACK TO FAQ
Pro tools software is the best software out there and industry
standard, why should I use anything other than that for my recording?
Although Pro Tools is the music production industry standard for audio
production in some of the major recording studios across the nation, Pro
One Studios seldom uses the software for production of lengthy orations.
Instead it uses audio production software using off-line bounce, in
other words, software that uses this feature takes an entire recording
session of one hour and mixes it down in less than 15 minutes depending
on the effects used and edits made.
We have found using software with this feature makes the work flow
duration much more expedient than other software that don’t have this
feature. A list of some of the software Pro One Studios uses is found in
the appendix A.
BACK TO FAQ
What kind of system should I use for storage of my audio files?
A system of storage for your audio files depends on the job, and the
amount of audio files you will be recording, or amount of masters you
have to archive for future reference. This is something that we highly
recommend. Any audio recording has to be saved with a track sheet, as
well as any other information used during the recording session. This is
important as it can be used for later reference of the original audio
files in case anything needs to be changed, altered or added.
First thing to consider when storing audio files is work load, and then
Masters. The types of storage of audio files are your obvious hard disk
drive, and any hard copy format type for back ups, such as CD, Digital
Audio Tape (DAT) or Mini Disc. These formats are used to save recorded
audio files for the session such as voice over, music bed and any other
out takes, re-takes. They are also used for storing of the production
master and the Master to be sent for duplication. Pro One Studios also
recommends these forms of audio storage over analog tape based formats
which can deteriorate with age, especially when stored for long periods.
A system of storage is one that is taken from the moment of recording,
through audio back ups of sessions in any digital format, track sheets,
to record keeping or archiving of the audio files and type of storage in
different formats depending upon the clients choice.
BACK TO FAQ
What resources should I read to keep up to date on the audio field?
There are many resources that are very informative and will keep you up
to date with the changes in the music industry. There are no specific
magazines targeted for the specialize work that Pro One Studios offers
but equipment and other features in the audio field are the same. Here
are some of the magazines Pro One Studio recommends:
Recording Magazine
Mix Magazine
Electronic Magazine
EQ Magazine
These are read in the audio recording industry and also have many
features pertinent to the industry. Some even have online courses for
you to take that are certified for recording engineering such as
Recording Magazine’s, “Alexander School of Recording.” Try them out if
you are just starting. Recording Magazine periodically have beginners,
and refresher courses.
BACK TO FAQ
Is there any other audio production software out there that can
convert all types of audio files to and from any audio format?
There are many audio production software in the market out there with
many features and not one can do everything required to get the job
done. Pro One Studios uses several programs. There are a few that are
almost there, Nuendo 3, WaveLab 5 and Sound Forge but one audio
production software that can do it all- not.
BACK TO FAQ
What kind of purpose does the music in a presentation serve?
Music calms the savage beast- he, he, he…but seriously, you have more of
a feeling behind something that alone will sound a bit dry. Not that the
speaker is dry, it’s that the actual presentation of the overall work is
not as appealing. Pro One Studios through out the years have noticed
that each speaker has a musical style within their personality. The
voice projects it, it’s shown and seen with the imagination as a
listener hears and sees the speaker’s mannerisms, style, joy,
seriousness, giddiness and so on. Each speaker that Pro One Studios has
recorded has been different, in their speaking styles, their
presentations, and their writing styles and yes, it all boils down to
their styles, their character and personality. What they project
outwardly comes from within whether they act or they are sincere, what
they are is what they have learned along their years of speaking,
growing and being. They have molded themselves to what they are and
music is used only to enhance that which they portray and are.
Considering the information from pamphlets and other information that
can also assist in choosing the music for the clients’ presentation,
brings out the companies overall characteristics and the characteristics
of which their target audience is.
BACK TO FAQ
Is it necessary for another person to do an introduction to a
presentation other than the speaker that’s actually presenting the
material?
The importance of establishing credibility is of the utmost. Here is
where you shine, where the person introducing you is making you out to
be that which you are, depending on the field and the area of expertise.
In other words there are many ways to do this, but the most effective is
having a person introducing you, as opposed to having yourself talk
about yourself. No problem if that’s all you have, but you want to go
further and take the presentation to another level.
BACK TO FAQ
What should I do before going into a recording session at Pro One
Studios?
These are just some basics that every speaker should bring to the
session upon arriving half hour before the recording session begins.
This will help the speaker to calmly arrange him or herself and not be
hurried and in a frenzy. This will also help in preparation for the
session.
BACK TO FAQ
a. Script: A written presentation of the material to be recorded is
needed- a script. There should be a copy for the orator and the engineer
to follow along with the presenter. Notes will be taken to keep track of
where edits have to be made. This method is much easy going on the
speaker. Between going back and re-recording, shuffling of papers,
punching in and out valuable time is consumed and duration of the
session is extended more than needed. There are other areas which a
speaker can prepare for before entering the recording session, go to
Apendix A “Speakers Preparedness.”
BACK TO FAQ
Can I use other people’s material, written or sung, such as a book
or audio CD for a song to use on my presentation?
Plagiarism is not an in thing to do; not cool at all. Butt if you chose
to use someone else’s information or words, like from an author, writer
from any News Paper, magazine article, book, or other piece of document,
make sure that you give credit to the individuals material you are
referencing. There are other information you might take into
consideration when referencing other’s work such as website, other books
and other forms of products they may have. However all this information
isn’t needed just the author and the referenced material.
There is also the question of using music with your presentation. If you
would like to use one of those neat songs that bring you warm fuzzy
feelings, make sure that you have written permission from the composer,
singer, or song writer. There is a book that I will recommend to you in
order to understand what the do’s and do not’s and the how to’s, as well
as music legalities, and other information pertinent to the music
industry, “This Business of Music” by Krasilovsky and Sidney Shemel, and
“Sound Advice.”
These are some of the steps that can be taken in order to keep all work
in order and free of future conflicts due to in appropriate mention of
credit on material used from other sources.
BACK TO FAQ
Can I promote my own material in another person’s presentation as an
invited speaker?
As an invited speaker in another’s project, it would be unethical unless
permission was granted. Now if you are not plugging yourself in, or
being self serving, and the material you are mentioning pertains to the
overall project at hand, by all means there should not be a problem.
There should still be prior arrangements made and discussed before
beginning the session.
BACK TO FAQ
I’m in an MLM business, are there things that I can and cannot say
in my presentations or tools recorded at Pro One Studios?
There are so many legalities that involve Multi Level Marketing
businesses that through the years of recording, editing this type of
material Pro One Studios have come up with a few basics to avoid and
totally stay clear from big time.
BACK TO FAQ
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