Skip to main content

Making Library Videos: Recording Audio

When creating library videos, librarians must decide whether or not to include an audio track (or multiple audio tracks) and/or a music soundtrack with the video.  In live action recording, most digital cameras have built-in condenser microphones to capture the performers speaking, as well as other surrounding sounds (or simply background noise), and this audio is embedded in the video track.  There are times, however, when it would be desirable to have a separate audio track (or tracks).  For instance, a voice-over narration can enhance still images.  Here's an example below.

Paul Hadley Biographical Video, Part One,
by Mooresville Public Library
(created using Windows Movie Maker Live)

Most video editing software (e.g., Wondershare Filmora) has the capability to insert one or more audio tracks, in addition to a music track, alongside the video track.  Windows Movie Maker Live (WMML), however, allows only one separate audio track, so unless you've used your camera to record sound, you'll need to choose between audio (e.g., voice-over narration) and music if you're using WMML.  (In January, 2017, Microsoft discontinued downloading of Windows Essentials, which included WMML, forcing many video makers to switch platforms.  Many of those who already have WMML, however, continue to use it.)

To create a separate audio track (or tracks), you will need a computer or mobile device, audio recording and editing software (or app), and a desk or lapel microphone (unless your mobile device has a built-in condenser mic; if you're using a computer, you'll need to attach a mic).  There are many audio software choices available (some free, others for sale).  We have used two programs:  Audacity (for Windows, Mac, or Linux) and GarageBand (for Mac or iOS).  Both were free when we acquired them (GarageBand came preloaded on our iMac laptop; Audacity was a free download).



Both Audacity and GarageBand offer full-featured audio recording and editing capabilities. They are sophisticated programs but are easy to use with a little practice.  Rather than reinvent the wheel, I'll let the companies themselves explain software features (click the logos above to learn more).

Desktop microphones with USB connectivity are reasonably cheap.  We have a Logitech USB desktop microphone that we purchased around 10 years ago at Radio Shack for about $20 (currently priced on Amazon at around $40).  It records sound reasonably well.




Logitech USB Desktop Microphone


We've used audio recording/editing software for more than videos.  When we created a self-guided walking tour of historic downtown Mooresville, Indiana, we originally furnished a paper handout of particular points of interest.  Subsequently, we recorded an audio tour guide (using GarageBand) on an audio CD to accompany the handout.

We have found audio recording/editing software to be indispensable in our video-making projects.  We don't always use it--many of our videos have video/still images with text and music only--but when we need it, we're glad to have it.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Using QR Codes to Promote Book Trailers on Book Displays

The ubiquitous book display is a  mainstay of traditional collection promotion in public libraries .  How many of these have you made over the years?  Frankly, I've lost count. Book displays increase item circulation because they attract patrons' attention and provide them with immediate gratification without their having to search for what has caught their interest.  The books are  right there ; just grab them and head for circulation to check them out.  Nothing could be easier. But what if the books are carefully wrapped-up (say, for a banned book display, which we did a couple of times), and patrons can't read the back cover descriptions?  For ordinary book displays, is there something more visually engaging that could appeal to patrons than just having to read the book jackets?  That's where book trailers could help "sell" the book. Wouldn't it be nice if patrons could watch the book trailers while they're look...
Post a Comment
Read more

Promo Trailers: A Library's Video Promotional Tool

(UPDATED JULY 20, 2022)   Social media has become a significant promotional vehicle for libraries.  Posting notices about upcoming programs or new services or the latest cataloged items on Facebook or Twitter can be more effective in reaching your patrons than even your library website. Pinterest and Tumblr are popular places to share what your library is (or will soon be) doing.  Flickr and Instagram showcase photographs of library programs or events.  Most commonly, posts are made to these social media by brief text coupled with photographs or images. Have you considered using video as a promotional tool for your library?   Promo trailers can be used to promote any aspect of your library, from new collections to new technologies to programs to services.   My library has been making promo trailers (formerly called program trailers) for over seven years, although we have been rather selective about the subjects we've chosen to promote with t...
2 comments
Read more

Your Very Own Library Composer

My library makes lots of videos, and so we need plenty of soundtrack music to score them. In an earlier blog post , we discussed how to find royalty-free music to download and use in your library videos.  Those resources are fine, but it takes time and work to ferret out suitable music.  Wouldn't it be easier if your library had its own composer?  But where to find one?  They don't exactly grow on trees. Why not use ours?   Danny Buckley composes original music and has granted my library a limited license to use his music royalty-free, free-of-charge for our videos, provided that we include an attribution credit to him and his music in the videos.  We usually give him two credits:  one as music composer, and the other for the particular composition we're using in a video. Danny is willing to grant other libraries the same license for their videos.  That's a sweet deal.  If you'd like MP3 files of any of his compositions, please fee...
Post a Comment
Read more