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Recording audio for Moodle: Difference between revisions

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(→‎Potential Devices: This section is sounds more like product endorsement than useful specs)
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If you are '''recording audio for Moodle''' the following guide will helpful. It suggests a route to record and upload simple audio into Moodle, where editing of the audio file is neither required or desired.
The following guide maybe useful if you are using a portable recording device to create audio files for inserting into Moodle. Here an field recording is made and directly uploaded as an unedited file. The MP3 file type is the recommended type but Moodle will recognize others (see [[Audio_in_Moodle#Simple_method|Audio in Moodle]]).


=== Introduction ===
Select a digital voice (or memo-) recorder, that has is familiar to many users.  This will allow use in a variety of situations without the need for extensive technical knowledge or training.
The [[Audio in Moodle]] page explains that although you can use almost any audio file with Moodle, one particular type of MP3 file allows for maximum compatibility while also allowing for more flexible usage within Moodle.
:''TIP:'' Remember that a teacher or technician might have to  explain the use of a recording device to 20 people. The more obvious the functions of the recorder are to use, the less time needs to be spent on instruction and the easier field use should be for the novice.


Similarly though there are several methods available for creating these files there is one method that allows staff and students to create such files with ease. The right kind of digital voice (or memo-) recorder, familiar to many, can allow recordings in a variety of situations without the need for extensive technical knowledge or training and with minimal outlay that could potentially pay for itself in saved staff time after one use.


=== Requirements ===
=== Requirements ===
The ideal requirements for such a device are:
The ideal requirements for such a device are:


* a USB connection
* USB connection to transfer files to a computer
* no need to install any software
* No need to install software to read or transfer files
* records in an appropriate mp3 format
* Records in an appropriate MP3 format
* Has variable sample rates - higher the rate the larger the file, better sound quality
**44.1 kHz - CD audio quality
**22.05 kHz - about the quality of a 78 rpm recording
**11.025 kHz - 1/4 that of a CD
* Power supply - consider what will work best for your institution/class
**We like AAA rechargeable batteries
**Some recorders have built in batteries that charge via the USB port
*Recording time of 1 to 6 hours generally will work.


Combined, these requirements allow someone with minimal technical skills to record audio and have it uploaded and playing via Moodle within minutes.
:''TIP:'' The sample rates are often stated as recording speeds such as SHQ, HQ. SP and LP.  These are not standards and one recorder might use a 22.05 kHz for its HQ setting and another 44.1 kHz for its HQ setting.


=== Potential Devices ===
=== Potential Devices ===
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* Phillips Digital Voice Tracer, 7790 or 7890
* Phillips Digital Voice Tracer, 7790 or 7890
* Sanyo ICR-S250RM
* Sanyo ICR-S250RM
*[[#Sanyo Digital MP3 recorder ICR-B170NX|Sanyo Digital MP3 recorder ICR-B170NX]]
*[[#Sanyo Digital MP3 recorder ICR-A190 / ICR-B190|Sanyo Digital MP3 recorder ICR-A190 / ICR-B190]]


==== Sanyo Digital MP3 recorder ICR-B170NX ====
==See also==
[[#Sanyo Digital MP3 recorder ICR-B170NX|Sanyo Digital MP3 recorder ICR-B170NX]] has 4 quality modes SHQ, HQ, SP, LP. Only the HQ mode (64kbps, 22.1kHz) is suitable for these purposes and it can record up to 2 hours 10 minutes. Takes replaceable AAA batteries.
 
==== Sanyo Digital MP3 recorder ICR-A190 / ICR-B190 ====
[[#Sanyo Digital MP3 recorder ICR-A190 / ICR-B190|Sanyo Digital MP3 recorder ICR-A190 / ICR-B190]]
has 4 quality modes XHQ, HQ, SP, LP. the longer /lower quality recording times of the LP and SP modes are not suitable. Has up to 4 hours 20 minutes recording time in HQ mode (64kbps, 22.1kHz) and 2 hours, 10 minutes in XHQ mode (128kbps, 44.1kHz). Takes replaceable AAA batteries.
 





Revision as of 13:10, 6 November 2008

The following guide maybe useful if you are using a portable recording device to create audio files for inserting into Moodle. Here an field recording is made and directly uploaded as an unedited file. The MP3 file type is the recommended type but Moodle will recognize others (see Audio in Moodle).

Select a digital voice (or memo-) recorder, that has is familiar to many users. This will allow use in a variety of situations without the need for extensive technical knowledge or training.

TIP: Remember that a teacher or technician might have to explain the use of a recording device to 20 people. The more obvious the functions of the recorder are to use, the less time needs to be spent on instruction and the easier field use should be for the novice.


Requirements

The ideal requirements for such a device are:

  • USB connection to transfer files to a computer
  • No need to install software to read or transfer files
  • Records in an appropriate MP3 format
  • Has variable sample rates - higher the rate the larger the file, better sound quality
    • 44.1 kHz - CD audio quality
    • 22.05 kHz - about the quality of a 78 rpm recording
    • 11.025 kHz - 1/4 that of a CD
  • Power supply - consider what will work best for your institution/class
    • We like AAA rechargeable batteries
    • Some recorders have built in batteries that charge via the USB port
  • Recording time of 1 to 6 hours generally will work.
TIP: The sample rates are often stated as recording speeds such as SHQ, HQ. SP and LP. These are not standards and one recorder might use a 22.05 kHz for its HQ setting and another 44.1 kHz for its HQ setting.

Potential Devices

This is a short list of devices which reduces the field of potential purchases from hundreds to a handful. The specifications of these devices can be matched against others for comparison.

See also