The KUOW ‘Ask A…’ recording team has two primary goals:
- Record interviews with participants as they arrive at the event. These are used to produce features for both broadcast and posting online.
- Record longer post-event one-on-one conversations between participants, generally for use on our website.
We gather the following equipment before each event:
For the feature interviews:
- Marantz digital recorder (with power pack and batteries)
- EV RE50B omnidirectional mic
- XLR cable
For the one-on-one conversation recordings:
- A small portable soundboard (We use a Mackie. It’s possible to record two lines out of a digital recorder, but setting levels can be tricky.)
- A cable to connect board to recorder
- Marantz digital recorder (with power pack and batteries)
- Extension cord
- 2 Audio-Technica shotgun microphones
- 2 15’ XLR cables
- 2 microphone stands
Pre-Event Prep:
- The Producer/Archivist compiles a list of interview questions with the help of an editor assigned to the event and the moderator. These will be used for the feature segments.
- The Producer books recording equipment.
- We hire a reporter to conduct the interviews.
- The Producer/Reporter arrive an hour before the event to set up. The area chosen for the one-on-one conversations should be away from the main activity area if possible.
- As people arrive, the team welcomes participants and points them to the reporter for pre-event interviews.
- Reporter uses the compiled questions to conduct interviews (general with Answerers) as they arrive. Takes notes. Makes sure to have each person state their name. Gets ambient sound for editing.
- During opening remarks, the moderator introduces guests to the producer and reporter and explains that they will be recording post-event conversations.
- Producer and reporter eavesdrop on conversations during the round-robin to identify suitable candidates.
- At the pre-meal break the moderator introduces the producer/reporter again and says something like “If you had an especially meaningful conversation you’d be willing to put on tape, please see our producer.”
- The producer and reporter work quickly to approach possible candidates, queue them up and start recording ASAP. Some people are excited to record. Some want coaxing. Shoot for a good mix of participants, gender mix, etc. We generally record conversations between Askers and Answerers but have experimented with recording a conversation between two Answerers, for instance, with beneficial effect.
- The producer simply starts each recording session by saying something like “This time is for you to continue your conversation as you’d like or help us capture a part you especially appreciated. We like to keep it to 5 minutes or so. Please start by introducing yourselves again.” (The conversations almost always flow very naturally. We haven’t found any need to direct the pairs.)
- Arrange for a photo of each pair post-conversation. This has been a great element of our online presentation. These photos often capture the spirit of the event nicely.
- Get as many recordings in as you can. Take notes. Break everything down.
Post-Event
- We use Adobe Audition to do our editing.
- Reporter: Working with producer, pull cuts for the two distinct broadcast features (1.5 and 3 minutes for us) and an online feature that can be longer.
- Write intros and back announces for all three. Meet with editor to review. Voice and mix. We use a music bed with the intro and back announce.
- Producer: Fix levels and make a mix down of the trimmed-up conversations you recorded.
- Create the web post, leading with an event photo and the feature, followed by the conversations with pair photos. Publish.