Media Production Studio - Getting Started

For podcasting, we recommend starting with a straightforward DAW such as Audacity, Audition, or GarageBand. Choose a DAW that you will be able to access on your home computer or device in case you would like to make edits or changes outside of the Media Production Studio. To help you get started, we have included instructions for getting started recording a podcast with Audacity and Audition.

Step 1: Getting Started

Focusrite Scarlett 8i8 USB Audio Interface

1. Ensure that the microphones are plugged into the Scarlett Interface.
2. Set the buttons on the bottom to “+48v" to provide the microphones with phantom power.
3. Plug headphones into the jacks on the right side. Two headphones can be plugged in at once.
4. Make sure the interface is connected to the USB hub, and that the USB hub is connected to the machine of your choosing (Mac or PC).
5. Turn the Monitor Balance knob all the way down. This will ensure audio only passes through your headphones.
6. Turn the headphone volume to the noon position.

Microphone Positioning

• Ideally, only one person should speak into each microphone. If you have a larger group, pair speakers with similar volumes at each microphone. 
• Use the arms to reposition the mic(s) to that they are close to the person(s) speaking and so that they are vocalizing directly at them with the mic tilted slightly upwards.
• Position the pop filter between the mic and presenter’s mouth, without touching either.

Other considerations

• Minimize background noises by silencing phones and avoiding excessive movement.
• Speak slowly, consistently and enunciate. Avoid trailing off during your sentences.
• Be conscious of plosive B & P sounds and sibilant S & CH sounds. These can cause a rush of air and volume and can interfere with the recording.

Step 2: Setting Microphone Levels

Set the mic volume levels for each presenter individually

1. On the Scarlett interface, find the volume knob for the microphone for which you would like to set levels.
2. Speak into the microphone at normal at your speaking volume. Continue to speak through the next 2 steps.
3. Turn the volume knob for the microphone clockwise until the light ring around it flashes yellow or red. 
4. Slowly turn the volume knob counterclockwise until the light ring consistently flashes green. This will ensure that your voice will be recorded as loud as possible without being too high.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 for each presenter. Try to ensure that each presenter's voice as at the same volume level.

Step 3: Recording

Audacity

We recommend that you do a test recording prior to each recording session. Listen back to the recording and adjust microphone volumes and other levels accordingly. 

1. Double-click the “Audacity” audacity shortcut on the desktop to launch the program.
2. Click the mic input drop-down and select the Focusrite Scarlett 8i8.
3. Click the channels drop-down. Select the number of microphones being used.
4. Click the Record button. New track(s) will begin recording and appear in the Timeline.
5. Adjust the microphone volume knobs on the to finalize the levels. The ideal level is between -12 and -6 db. Each presenter should speak into their mic individually.
   
6. When done recording, click the Stop button. 
7. Listen to the recording to check for errors. If needed, adjust the volume of the track(s) with the slider in the Track Controls.
8. Navigate to File > Save Project > Save Project As.
9. Rename the file, select a storage location, and click “Save.”  This will save a backup of the original recording in case it needs to be retrieved.
10. Navigate to File > Export > Export as WAV.
11. Rename the file, select a storage location, and click Save. The recording will be saved as an audio file.

Adobe Audition

1. Double-click the “Audition” audacity shortcut on the desktop to launch the program.
2. Click the Multitrack button to the top-left. A new window will appear.
3. Adjust the following settings:
   • Session Name
   • Folder Location
   • Template: None
   • Sample Rate: 48000
   • Bit Depth: Highest Possible
   • Master: Stereo
4. Click OK.
5. Navigate to Adobe Audition > Preferences > Audio Hardware.
6. Adjust the following settings:
   • Default Input: Select “Focusrite Scarlett 8i8”
   • Default Output: Select “Focusrite Scarlett 8i8”
   • I/O Buffer Size: 512 is selected by default. If there is a significant audio delay, or echo effect heard in the headphones, lower this number to reduce the delay.
7. Click OK.
8. Click “Default Stereo Input” on a track, hover over “Mono”, and select “Focusrite Scarlett 8i8”. Repeat this process to setup a track for each mic being used. 
9. Click the Arm For Record button, labeled as an “R,” on each tracks being used. Audio level meters will appear to the right for each activated track.
   
10. Click the Record button, which looks like a red circle, in the Transport panel. The track will start recording. If you don’t see the Transport panel, navigate to Window > Transport and ensure “Transport” is checked.
    
11. When done recording, click the Stop button, which looks like a white square, in the Transport panel. 
12. Listen to the recording to check for errors. Make adjustments as needed.
13. Navigate to File > Save As.
14. Rename the file, select a storage location, and select “Audition Session (*.sesx)” from the Format drop-down menu. 
15. Click OK. This will save a backup of the original recording in case it needs to be retrieved.
16. Navigate to Multitrack > Mixdown Session to New File > Entire Session.
17. Navigate to File > Save As.
18. Rename the file, select a storage location, and select “waveform Audio (*.WAV)” from the Format drop-down menu.
19. Click OK. The recording will be saved as a WAV audio file.

Step 4: Finishing Up

If working from the Studio computer, save project and audio files to a flash drive or OneDrive. When ready to edit, start a new Audacity or Audition project and import the audio file.