Recording an interview

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Fret

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I have a potential opportunity the end of this week to record an interview between a business associate and his mother. This will be used as a keepsake item for the family. They have attempted the recording on there own using a computer microphone and the Win XP recorder. I personally have never recorded an interview before and I was hoping for some suggestions.

My Mics
1 Marshall MXL V67
1 SM58
1 SM57

My only preamps are on my Alesis board, I have a Delta sound card, and will be using Cakewalk.

Thanks for the help
 
Yo Fret -- Don't Fret:

Just set up your mics and get the people comfortable, maybe sitting if possible. Give them a glass of wine or something to get them a bit loose -- conversation really flows then.

You might want to add some reverb for ambience when you mix it down.

Your levels just need to be normal or optimum as it applies to your rig.

If you want to add some schmaltz if appropriate, you can even put their favorite music in the background, softly.

Hope this helps.







Green Hornet :D :p :p :cool: :p
 
It would be nice if you could compress it while tracking to keep any peaks under control! It may be tough to go back and fix any peaks that really leap out. Plus if the peak is way out there you can maybe salvage a great moment.
 
Great ideas

I was wondering if I would be able to talk them into some background music. They are talking like this would be pretty long (at least a full CD) so background music in itself could be quit the project.

My main two concerns are breaking things into manageable chunks. I’m thinking an 80-min cakewalk project could be a problem.

And background or computer noise. I have an extremely noisy computer. I’m hoping that gating the mics will help to get this at a tolerable level. Can anyone suggest a cheap but effective noise reduction software?
 
Yo Fret:

You could rent a DAT box and do the talk part -- later, you can add the music.

I suggest that you break the recording sessions into 20-30 minute sessions and each one planned to cover a "part" of the entire subject. Kind of like doing an essay -- introduction, body parts, and conclusion.

As for your noisy PC -- well, someone else can help you there.

Green Hornet :cool: :p :p :p :D
 
You definately do not want any background music while recording or it will be impossible to edit. Try to minimize any ambient noise like fans, air conditioners etc because when you are doing a dialogue recording there is no music to fill in the crappy noise in the background. Try to get the setting as quiet as possible.

Your best bet is to have the mics as close to them as possible to minimize room sound. If you end up with a lot of computer noise and room sound it will sound like a cheap porn audio track. I would use the 57 and 58 about 6 inches away if possible.

I wouldn't bother with a computer. A portable minidisc recorder would be perfect if you can use one. Something that uses tape or goes direct to disc and will not crash will be your best bet. If the computer crashes half way through then you will most likely loose everything you recorded.
 
Any recomendations on a very basic DAW? If they do record with me this week we of course will use what I have but they are wanting to set up the ability to do it them selves. My first suggestion was a stand alone daw but I have never looked into these. Really just something with a couple of mic pres. What kind of space does something like this have. I am going to have to support the product so something that is as easy as possible for them to figure out would make things easier for me.
 
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