[ARCHIVED] Show me your setup!

[James-Kocher]

Hello, all!

We are looking to build a DIY desktop recording studio in my college.  It will be mostly for recording voice over PPT with video, but could be used for other projects as well.  I have an idea of what I want in it, but I'd love to see what everyone else is using (if you have a setup like this!)

Thanks!

[amanda_taintor]

I have nothing to contribute but I am also in this process, I am eagerly following the comments made!

[James-Kocher]

What are you looking to have?

[james_sanzin]

For voice over, I just bought a Blue Snowball microphone.  For video recording I bought a green screen and some lighting. I am currently just using my webcam  for video, but am looking to upgrade.  For editing I use ScreenFlow  most of the time, but every now and then I toy around with Premiere Pro CS6. 

[james_sanzin]

I also went from simply doing voice over to having my head appear on screen. I found that from time to time I have a hearing impaired student that depends on reading lips. 

[kmeeusen]

Hi  @James-Kocher 

One of the schools in our state system had shared the following list when our school was considering creating a media station/room for our faculty. May be more than you need, but I hope it helps..............

Multimedia Learning Centers

Lake Washington Technical College

General Hardware:

• 2 Mac Computers (see below)
• 30″ Apple Display Monitor
• 2 AKG condenser microphones
• 2 Blue Snowball microphones
• 1 M-Audio USB digital interface
• Canon GL2 video camera (available upon request)

Mac Pro:

• Operating Systems
  • Dual-Boot with 10.6.8 Snow Leopard OS and Windows XP
• Audio Production Software
  • Audacity (v.1.25)
  • GarageBand (v.4.1.2)
• Video Production Software
  • Final Cut Studio 2 (v.7.0.3)
  • iMovie” (v.9.0.4)
• Digital Media Production Software
  • Adobe CS5 and CS3
    • Dreamweaver
    • Fireworks
    • Flash
    • Illustrator
    • InDesign
    • Media Player
    • Photoshop
  • Screencast Software
    • Jing (v.1.6.8)
    • Screen Flow (v.1.2)
  • Productivity Software
    • Microsoft Office 2011

iMac:

• Operating System
  • 7.3 Lion
• Audio Production Software
  • Audacity (v.1.25)
  • GarageBand (v.8.0.2)
• Video Production Software
  • Final Cut Studio 2 (v.7.0.3)
  • iMovie (v.7.1.4)
• Digital Media Production Software
  • Adobe CS5 and CS3
    • Dreamweaver
    • Fireworks
    • Flash
    • Illustrator
    • InDesign
    • Media Player
    • Photoshop
  • Screencast Software
    • Jing (v.1.6.8)
    • Screen Flow (v.3.0.6)
    • Camtasia 2 (v.7.1.4)
  • Productivity Software
    • Microsoft Office 2011

Digital Media Studio Procedures

• The room is intended to be used by faculty, staff and students only.
• Every one who uses the room must read and sign a Digital Media Studio Policy form.
• Students who wish to use the room MUST have a student ID card.
• Faculty and staff who wish to use the room must be verified as such.
• The room may be used for 2 hours at one time. HOWEVER, if no one is waiting to use the room, the current user can have the room for an additional 2 hours.
• Before letting anyone into the room, and after seeing someone out of the room, a checklist must be completed which will account for all of the equipment in the room.
• The door is to remain locked at all times. Only Learning Commons staff will have the key to the room. If someone using the room needs to leave for whatever reason, the door must be closed, and then one of the staff will open the door again.
• There is no drinking, eating or smoking in the room.
• If someone is unsure of how to use equipment or software, they can notify one of the staff and receive basic help.

 I see that pasting from MS Word left a couple artifacts, but it is still readable.

KLM

[crafte]

Hi  @James-Kocher ‌, we are currently using the hosted version of Kaltura MediaSpace which integrates into Canvas. Kaltura is open source and they also offer a free Kaltura Community Edition which would be self-hosted. Might be worth to take a look. The community edition can also be integrated into Canvas. Kaltura Community Edition

[andrew_sheppard]

Hey, James. Should have known I'd find you here.    We're also setting up a "recording room" separate from our media studio that faculty can use independently. Faculty can use this space after they have attended one of our video-related workshops. 

A view of the room from the front door:

Close-up of Conference Mic

I love this mic for webinars or recording an interview. Great quality.

Close-up of Desktop Mic

The following desktop (MXL) mic is okay. Volume records low on Windows 10 machine at the moment. Works fine on Windows 8 machines.

We also leave one of our "Studio in a Bag" set-ups. This setup is basically an iPad with a tripod and a few other accessories that faculty can use to record themselves or props/demonstrations.

Here's a list of our "Studio in a Bag" equipment:

• Handheld Wired "iRig" Microphone ($60)
  http://www.zzounds.com/item--IKMIRIGMIC
• Extension Cable for "iRig" Microphone ($33)
  https://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Extension-Through-dockXtender-CableJive/dp/B00KH09Q5S/ref=sr_1_2?s=...
• Shure MVL Lavaliere Microphone ($69)
  http://www.shure.com/americas/products/microphones/motiv/mvl-omnidirectional-lavalier-microphone-for...
• iPad Mini "iOgrapher" Case ($60)
  http://www.amazon.com/iOgrapher-Mobile-Media-Case-iPad/dp/B00F7NSWTG
• Camera Tripod ($45)
  http://www.amazon.com/Magnus-VT-200-Tripod-System-2-Way/dp/B00AE1LH5M
• LowePro Camera Bag ($37)
  http://www.bestbuy.com/site/lowepro-streamline-250-camera-bag-gray/1696005.p?skuId=1696005
• Amazon Basic Headphones ($15)
  https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Lightweight-On-Ear-Headphones-Black/dp/B00NBEWB4U/ref=sr_1_2?s=a...

Camtasia Instructions

This short document reviews one of the ways content can be captured. 

We also have a lower-end Logitech headset in the room. 

Some important notes: this room is far from ideal. The hallway just outside occasionally gets loud. We have no sound proofing at the moment. We have a canvas print that perhaps offers a minuscule amount of sound absorption. We have this print more for aesthetic reasons so that there isn't a plain wall behind the presenter. By the way, the canvas print was about $50 total - surprisingly good quality. 

Ideally, the room would be in a secluded or quieter area of the college. At the moment, it's the only space available to use to use for these purposes. 

[James-Kocher]

Who the hell is Dominic?  :smileygrin:

Thanks!

[andrew_sheppard]

Our Canvas pulls first name from LDAP.  😕  Are you guys able to change folks' first names in the "People" listing in Canvas? - From the artist formerly known as Andy. 

[James-Kocher]

Once I get the go ahead on this project, it might be time for another lunch visit!

[andrew_sheppard]

Indeed! 

[James-Kocher]

Thanks all!  This gives me some good ideas for if/when this gets the green light and budget!

It might also be something I build up over time, too.