"Picture This, Capturing Your Sound, Technology Strategies for Music Education" - Week 7 Readings

While the amount of applications for technology to enhance music education is great, many require users to have special skills to utilize this. However, many digital recording tools today are fairly inexpensive and not too difficult to use once you have become familiar with the equipment and learn to manipulate the apparatus and the environment. With the right equipment and knowledge, one can capture the sound of your ensembles and create a lasting record of your students' accomplishments.

One way to enhance such accomplishments of student learning is to get them involved in the recording process. Students can begin by learning how to properly set levels during recording, and over time, they can assist in such activities as processing which can help them develop advanced ear training while gaining a heightened awareness of sound quality.

Speaking of sound quality, when recording a live performance, the main objective is to capture the audio experience from a single audience member's perspective, a goal that is best achieved through a process called distant miking which includes the phases of equipment selection, equipment placement and testing, recording, post-production, and project completion. The first stop in the recording process is to build a recording kit, or essentially the hardware that captures the performance. Once again, the highest quality recording possible is the goal and getting the best equipment for your circumstances is the most effective way to achieve this. A typical kit consists of two condenser microphones, a microphone stand with dual mic adapter, audio cables, mixing console with balanced microphone inputs, an actual recording devices, recording media, headphones, electrical cables, Gaffer's tape, small light source, a digital audio workstation or computer, and some type of computer input for transferring date from a recording device to computer. Local music stores are often the best source of expertise and support in finding the equipment that works best for a specific situation. You can also buy the same equipment from many websites online, which also feature great information.

Over all, s simple audio-editing program can do wonders for your music program. Benefits include effective demonstration of sound concepts, student's heightened carefulness of execution when recording, student excitement and motivation for using the technology and the ability to record examples for digital portfolios and other purposes. And they are all relatively simple to use.