Time-saving tools and technologies
Record, Rewind, Repeat
Professional speakers have a multitude of AV needs in their home
offices as well as on the platform. Whether your goal is to make money
in your jammies or reduce noise interruption when presenting to live
audiences, you should consider investing in your own audio products.
Get started with this assortment of quality microphones, recorders,
speakers, software solutions, and accessories.
Snap, Crackle and Pop Much?
You know when you say the letter “p”
into a microphone and you hear that
annoying pop noise in the audio recording? It doesn’t have to be that way. Pop
filters are screens that filter the popping
sounds that occur when you speak into a
microphone (not to be confused with the
foam covers that function as windscreens).
Using a pop filter can make a significant
difference in your sound quality. Filters
run about $20. Amazon.com.
For the home
Snowball Effect
If you’re looking for a simple plug n’
play mic that connects to your computer
and is ideal for podcasting, check out
the Snowball from Blue Microphones.
Snowball is the world’s first
professional USB microphone that sounds
just as good on your
desktop as it does in a
recording studio. The
retro design is attractive and its three-way
switch can handle a
variety of recording applications. Connects with PC,
Mac, or iPad. $100.
BlueMic.com.
Put it on the Back Burner CallBurner is an application that works with Skype to record your calls and convert them directly to mp3 or wav files for the best quality. Ideal for business meetings and podcasts, CallBurner creates crisp, clean, professional recordings, and is great for keeping a call archive. PC only. Free 30-day free trial, $49.95 after. CallBurner.com.
Ask the Editor
Whether you’re new to editing, or you’re
a pro who just wants an easy, inexpensive
solution, Audacity® is the package deal.
A free, open source, cross-platform software for recording and editing sounds,
Audacity supports mp3, wav and aiff files;
allows users to cut, copy, splice and mix
sounds together; and you can also change
the speed and pitch of
recordings. Available
for Windows,
Mac, and
Linux. Audacity.
Sourceforge.net.
Testing, Testing
A digital voice recorder, like the Olympus
VN-8100 (pictured), allows you to record
your own presentations and interview
audience members
for testimonials. This
one features 2 GB
memory, USB connection, support for mp3
or WMA formats, a
large LCD screen, and
a long battery life. Use
it with the Olympus
ME- 15 mic. $60.
OlympusAmerica.com.
Casting Call
Want to speak, train, and sell more?
Camtasia® Studio makes it easy. With
this software, you can record presentations, product demos, and sales
presentations; create interactive “
scre-encast” training videos; and add a boost
to your blog without going over budget.
Available for PC and Mac. $300.
TechSmith.com/Camtasia.
