So I'm new at this... advice??

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Permalink Reply by Eric on February 20, 2008 at 12:34pm

Hi There! I am Eric from Curie Youth Radio here in Chicago, IL. I just thought I would respond to your questions.

#1. To be quite honest, I didn't know...well not so much as actually heard...radio like this. Since I'm more of an independent producer (speaking in the sense that I produce music, not radio), when I came into this class, I had a basic foundation with the technical aspect of the equipment. But what I wish I would've known before doing all this was being an interviewer....because to be quite honest....I SUCK! I get nervous, I get shaky, I forget my questions, eveything!
#2. Avoiding handling sounds can vary...depending on your type of microphone or recorder. If you're using a handheld microphone like the ones used to interview people on the news, this isn't difficult, but with a little practice can be avoided. When purchasing a mic, look for those that have "little to no handling noise." These can be found in music stores both retail and online. I would also recomend you stay away from those cheap microphones sold at places like Best Buy or Circuit City because they will have A LOT of handling noise. If you're using a recorder with built-in mics, then this shouldn't be a problem.
#3. Just like mics, software can vary, too. There's a lot of good software in which you can spend thousands of dollars, but there's also software available online that is just as good, and usually free. If you want to spend a moderate amount of money I would recomend you Digidesign ProTools M-Powered which will run you about $250. I you want to spend less (I know I would), you can go for Cakewalk's SONAR Home Studio, which goes for $100. But 1 I REALLY recomend is Audacity, which is GREAT. But the best part of all...it's FREE! Just go to audacity.soundforge.net
and download it.
This is pretty much what I can help you with because like I said, I'm not a good interviewer. So I can't help you there. Well...Good Luck!

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Permalink Reply by *~*Mandi*~* on February 20, 2008 at 2:13pm

Hey Rachel. I'm Amanda also from Curie Youth Radio. Ok fo you first question, I really didn't know what to expect when I first started. I basically got into the class because my friend said that it would be somehting that I would enjoy. So I pretty much came into this class completely oblivious to what we were about to do.
#2...If you hold the mic still and to the side of your face, a palm length from your mouth. Once you get comfortable with the equipment, you'll adopt your syle and methods.
#3...Well, here at C.Y.R. we use Protools, so 'm not too familiar with the different editing programs.
#4...Well for me, I think that the most effective method I'ver come across is to familiarize your self with the equi[ment. Then once you go on interviews are begin recording, KNOW YOUR STUFF!! Now you can mistakes here and there, but if you are just reading something, r don't know what you are about to say, it shows. A persons voice tells more emotion when one listens to it rather thn when you are looking at the person behind the voice.
#5 When I inyterview a person, I try to get them to tell me everything. The first thing you do is introduce the question adn explain to them the type of answer you are looking for. If there is more to be told come up with a follow-up question: "What is it that made you angry at Peter?" or" Why did't you guys go to the mall like you said you were?" Just questions th8at can get you answers.
#6 Well the one piece that I've most enjoyed doing was the audio gift. In this project we were to create a gift for someone in your life that impacted you, the create a gift to give them to let them know how you really feel..

THANKS FOR BEING INSPIRED!!
Amnda

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Permalink Reply by Minhal Baig on February 28, 2008 at 6:26pm

Hey Rachel,

I'd recommend listening to David Isay's "Ghetto Life 101," which is about half an hour to forty five minutes long. It is a documentary detailing the lives of two young boys living in the Ida B. Wells projects in Chicago. This is an excellent example of a documentary that manages to hold your attention.

To avoid handling sounds, try muffling them by holding the microphone with a mitten or soft cloth. This can muffle out the sounds but won't completely reduce them. Another thing you can do is to use a microphone stand or lavalier microphone, which you can attach to your interviewees or even yourself.

When you start interviewing people, do a bit of research on what information you want to obtain. After you've done that, create about 15 to 20 questions (depending on the length of the interview) on the research you did, personal questions, etc. Don't try and use a sheet of paper during an interview. It's best to ask a question and let your interviewee tell a story. Don't be afraid to let the interview become informal. Informal interviews are usually best! Even when you've asked all your questions, asking new questions based on what your interviewee has said is KEY. Your interviewee might summarize a particularly interesting story -- watch out for this. Make them tell you a story in all of its detail. Ask them to use full sentences so you don't have a lot of editing work on your hands. The best questions were personal; the worst questions were ones that could be answered by doing a little Google search.

Ira Glass is pretty much my radio-hero. Being a Chicago Public Radio fan, I love This American Life and think it's an excellent radio show that everyone should listen to at least once in their life.

You have a lot of great questions. I'm glad you're so interested in knowing more about radio.

Minnie

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