Digitally recording verbal data directly onto a computer

13.03.2009

You can use your computer or laptop to record interviews or other sound data. Normal stereo microphones are well suited for this purpose. However, your computer must have a microphone line-in and your mic should have a sufficiently high output impedence so that the computer receives an adequately strong signal from the microphone. Otherwise your recordings will not be of useable quality.

If you go for this option, remember that it means you must always have a laptop or even a desktop computer in all your recording situations. This can have a negative effect on the interview atmosphere.

One microphone which can be connected directly to your USB port is the Samson Co1U (it includes a spider and costs around €129). However, the quality it produces is somewhat modest.

This is how you do it:

1.Load and install one of the recording programs described.

2.Connect the microphone with the appropriate jack (usually 3.5mm - otherwise you may have to acquire an adapter, for example from Mediamarkt where they cost around €5) to the soundcard line-in.

3.Start the recording software. It records and stores the sound on your PC in a similar way to a cassette recorder.

4.Recorder No23 allows you to adjust the modulation and compression rate. Take advantage of these options

5.Check the recording quality by saving one or two minutes as a test. The software we recommend is so easy to use you will probably be able to work it out instinctively...

 

Important information for iBook users!

iBooks have no line-ins. You will require an additional small device called an iMic. It is connected to the iBook's USB port and functions as an adapter for audio line-in and line-out.

iMic audio adapter for iBooks
Costs around €40 and is available in specialist computer shops or from Amazon