South Hall 1415: The English Department's Technologically Enhanced Classroom

Audio Tools

Microphone

The microphone for this room is a Labtec Verse-504 and is mounted on the side of the Instructor's Console. This microphone can be used for NetMeeting's audio chat and for recording sound files.

Setting Audio Options for NetMeeting

Verify that the microphone is connected (since this is a permanently installed microphone, it should very rarely be disconnected).

Turn off all other programs that play or record sound (Spinner, Windows Media, Sound Forge, etc).

Open NetMeeting.You should perform the following steps before starting a Netmeeting to enable a audio chat. If you wish to have an audio/video chat be sure to follow the steps for setting video options on the video page.

Select Audio Tuning Wizard from the Tools menu. The Audio Tuning Wizard will walk you through the steps you need to take to enable audio chat.

Be sure to select this microphone as the recording device. Generally the option for playback device should already be correct.

Speak slowly and clearly into the microphone while you are tuning.

Once you have completed the Audio Tuning Wizard you should be able to send sound across NetMeeting.

If the sound cuts out at any time, try running the Audio Tuning Wizard again.

Note: Setting these options allows you to send sound to your NetMeeting's partner. For full audio chat, your partner would also have to set up his or her microphone and audio settings.

To Send and Receive Sound:

Select Options from the Tools menu. Next click the Audio tab.

Make sure that the first radio button "Enable full-duplex audio so I can speak while receiving audio" is checked.

Other boxes may or may not be checked as to your preference.

Note: Currently NetMeeting only allows two people to send audio or video back and forth. If you want your entire class to be able to hear your remote speaker, then you should set up an audio link between you and the speaker, first. You will then be able to broadcast your speaker's voice over the Media Classroom's audio system. You can add your students to the NetMeeting as "silent partners" (using ordinary invite procedure). They will still be able to send text messages to the entire group, and participate in white board, file, and screen sharing. If you want your students to be able to talk directly to your remote speaker, then they will have to speak into the microphone on the Instructor's Console.

Recording Sound Files

Sound files can be recorded through several different software devices. The most simple to use is the Windows Sound Recorder. Sound Forge from Macromedia allows for more complex recording and editing of sounds.

To Record a Sound File Through Windows Sound Recorder:

Make sure that the microphone is properly connected.

Turn off all other programs that record or play sound.

Open Sound Recorder. On most Windows systems this software can be found under Programs/Accessories/Entertainment/Sound Recorder.

Press the red button and speak clearly into the microphone.

Press the rectangular stop button to end your recording.

To save your recording select Save from the File menu. Generally you will want to save your sound files as .wav files.

You now have a sound file. Select New to create another, or press record again to extend your file.

Audio Clip Example

To Record a Sound File Through Sound Forge:

Sound Forge is a more complex and sophisticated audio software program with the capability to both create and edit sounds. This software is available on several of the computers in the Transcriptions laboratory.

To create a simple recording through Sound Forge take the following steps.

Make sure that the microphone is properly connected.

Turn off all other programs that record or play sound.

Select New from the File Menu. And click Ok in the following dialogue box (for more complicated procedures you may want to alter the default settings, but for a simple recording you may leave them as they are).

Click the small round button on the menu bar OR select Transport from the Special Menu and Click Record.

The Recording Interface Window will appear. For a simple recording you may leave the default settings as they are.

To begin recording click the round grey button. While you are recording a read box reading "recording" will blink beneath the monitor.

To stop recording click the square button.

Close the Recording Interface Window.

You have now made a simple recording that you can save, add to, or edit.

Congratulations!

Editing Sound Files

Sound files re corded as .wavs can be edited in Sound Forge. You can add voice to music, edit out silences, mix sounds, and perform a variety of other functions.

To further explore Editing Sound Files please refer to the Transcriptions bookshelf or to the tutorials within Sound Forge itself.