AV News 174 - November 2008
Alternatively, if you already have a decent recorder, record your voice on that
and transfer via USB to your computer. Then you’ve got all your audio in
without using the soundcard at all. So its quality is irrelevant.
It is unlikely that you will have audio quality problems when playing your
sequences – playback tends to be less demanding than recording. So I
would suggest that nowadays you only need a professional soundcard if you
are doing something professional – something more demanding than A-V
soundtracks.
Having said that, whilst you may not have problems with the audio quality,
I’ve come across the odd computer, usually a laptop, which suffers from
interference due to bad design of the internal earthing arrangements. It would
be a good idea to check a computer before purchase by playing a sequence.
Listen carefully, preferably on headphones, during silences for any hums,
buzzes, whines etc related to operation of the hard drive when accessing
data, or due to the graphics card when calculating a fade. If all is well, I would
suggest you live with the built-in soundcard.
Having bought the computer, have a good look at the audio software; the
various media players, mixers, rudimentary equalisers etc., and disable or
mute all signal sources and effects that you are not using. It may take a lot of
probing to find them all – a typical high street computer is a triumph of bells
and whistles over quality – but silencing as many potential sources of
interference as possible is usually a most worthwhile exercise.
Three Excellent AV Days at the
National Media Museum in Bradford
Saturday 22 nd November - RPS AV Distinctions Panel
The AV Panel will assess Distinctions Applications
for LRPS and ARPS (minimum of six applications required)
Submission Advice on the Day (time allowing after the applications)
Sunday 23 rd November 2008 - Great Yorkshire AV Day
• 10.00 Bring along sequences for constructive criticism
• 14.00 Jill K. Bunting CPAGB and John Smith APAGB CPAGB
will show their sequences and teach aspects of PTE 5
and the superb free sound editing program, Audacity
Sunday 22 nd February 2009 - Great Yorkshire AV Day
• 10.00 Bring along sequences for constructive criticism
• 14.00 Malcolm Imhoff FRPS and Maggie Imhoff
An Audio Visual Journey - an insight into their unique styles
For more information and to book your place contact: Bryan Stubbs
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