What you need to know about Radio Production Equipment!

What will I need? A Martinez recorder (either the 660 older version or the updated 661), a standard microphone and a set of headphones.

PART 1 - Setting up the equipment.

• Always check the equipment is functioning for the purpose it is required for.
• On the Marantz make sure that the preset is set to 1. Edit this if needed.
• The input must be set to mic or line on the 661 Martinez and mic on the 660s. Make sure it is not on internal mic.
• Make sure the recording format is set to 192 for speech.
• Make sure the recordng format is set to Mono.
• Make sure the sample is set to 44.1
• To set the recording level, manually set it by adjusting the circular button on the top. (This is located on the 660s at the top of the device and at the front of the device on the 661s).
• The level needs to be set to the green area. If in the yellow area, the sound will be too quiet and will need to be artificially raised, causing a possible hissing noise. If in the red area consistently, te sound will become distorted and unusual.
• If a mistake is made, if possible do not press pause, let it run. Otherwise you run the risk of losing your train of thought or forget to take the pause button off.
• At the beginning and end of the recording, leave a second or two of ambience. This avoids the recording sounding rushed.
• When recording, hold the Marantz on one shoulder. Be careful of the wires - too tight and they make break, too lose and the sound may become distorted. To avoid this, wind the wire around you hand.
• When using the microphone, do not make sudden movements with it. If the recording of someone's voice is too loud, move the microphone towards the other person. Likewise, do this if one person is quieter.
• Avoid loud noise or interference in locations, such as in traffic. Unless, this meets the context of the report.