Not all stories make good multimedia stories. The best multimedia stories are multi-dimensional. They include action for video, a process that can be illustrated with a graphic (e.g., "how tornadoes form" or "how this new surgery works"), someone who can give some pithy quotes for video or audio, and/or strong emotions for still photos and audio. Most multimedia stories require that the reporter go into the field to report the story face-to-face with sources, rather than doing a story entirely by telephone.
READkdmc audio tutorials
KDMC produces a wealth of digital media tutorials to support our training sessions and classes. While the focus of some tutorials is on technology and journalism, most are general enough to be of use to anyone.
Hover for tutorial descriptions, or see all tutorial categories-
Audio Recording, Capturing and Editing
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Multimedia Storytelling Use multimedia effectively to tell a story
Description
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Tascam DR-100 digital audio recorder Learn about the Tascam DR-100 audio recorder
Description
The Tascam DR-100 digital recorder is a compact advanced audio recording device that accepts professional microphones. It records to a Secure Digital (SD) or Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) memory card, which allows quick and easy transfer to a computer. The recorder also features a dual power system; an included recharable lithium ion battery, and a backup AA battery option.
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Audio Recorders Make an informed decision when buying a recorder
Description
This tutorial covers some of the basics in portable digital audio recorder devices, and their use in a journalistic capacity. There are several factors to consider when purchasing a digial audio recorder, including cost, quality and durability.
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GarageBand—Basic Editing Operate Apple’s resident audio editing program
Description
GarageBand '09 is a powerful, easy-to-use audio editing program. This tutorial shows the basic techniques for cutting an interview audio.
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Soundslides Interactive multimedia made easy
Description
Soundslides has become one of the industry standards in creating audio slideshows due to its simple interface, low cost and its devotion to journalistic storytelling.
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Audacity Edit sound the open source way
Description
Audacity is a free, lightweight, sound-editing program that works in PC, Mac OS X, and Linux. It is an easy way to start editing audio if there is little or no budget for this type of software. But Audacity quickly becomes eclipsed by other, more robust, pieces of software that are more complete, less bug-prone and have better support.
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Podcasting Simplify audio storytelling
Description
Podcasts are a simple and effective way to add multimedia to your site. While there are many tools and applications available to create podcasts, this tutorial covers a basic setup for fast production. All you need is a headset, a Mac, and GarageBand.
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Compact Flash Audio Recorders Save audio onto a compact flash card
Description
A compact flash audio recorder is a digital audio recording device that saves audio onto a compact flash card - the same kind of card used with a digital photo camera.
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Dictation Recorders A cheaper digital recording option
Description
Many times professional digital audio recorders such as the Marantz PMD 660 are either not available or are too expensive. This tutorial will show one cheaper "non recommended" alternative when other options are not available.
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Minidisc Audio Recorders Audio recording and portability in one
Description
A minidisc recorder is a digital audio recording device that saves audio onto a minidisc. Each minidisc holds up to about 80 minutes of recorded audio.
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Soundtrack Pro Apple's professional audio editing program
Description
Soundtrack Pro is an audio editing program designed to work in concert with the Final Cut Pro video editing program. It can be used for more fine tuning of audio tracks in your video files than is possible in Final Cut Pro. It also can be used to edit audio files that are not attached to video, such as audio you recorded on a compact flash recorder or a minidisc recorder.
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Pro Tools Manage and modify audio like a professional
Description
ProTools is a professional audio engineering software program made by Digidesign. Although it's used by top-notch pros in the radio industry, ProTools has a fairly easy learning curve, making it just as good for beginners.
READ
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Multimedia Storytelling Use multimedia effectively to tell a story
Podcasting
Podcasts are a simple and effective way to add multimedia to your site. While there are many tools and applications available to create podcasts, this tutorial covers a basic setup for fast production. All you need is a headset, a Mac, and GarageBand.
Audacity
Audacity is a free, lightweight, sound-editing program that works in PC, Mac OS X, and Linux. It is an easy way to start editing audio if there is little or no budget for this type of software. But Audacity quickly becomes eclipsed by other, more robust, pieces of software that are more complete, less bug-prone and have better support.
Audio Recorders
This tutorial covers some of the basics in portable digital audio recorder devices, and their use in a journalistic capacity. There are several factors to consider when purchasing a digial audio recorder, including cost, quality and durability.
Soundslides
Soundslides has become one of the industry standards in creating audio slideshows due to its simple interface, low cost and its devotion to journalistic storytelling.
GarageBand—Basic Editing
GarageBand '09 is a powerful, easy-to-use audio editing program. This tutorial shows the basic techniques for cutting an interview audio.
Tascam DR-100 digital audio recorder
The Tascam DR-100 digital recorder is a compact advanced audio recording device that accepts professional microphones. It records to a Secure Digital (SD) or Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) memory card, which allows quick and easy transfer to a computer. The recorder also features a dual power system; an included recharable lithium ion battery, and a backup AA battery option.
Multimedia Storytelling
Not all stories make good multimedia stories. The best multimedia stories are multi-dimensional. They include action for video, a process that can be illustrated with a graphic (e.g., "how tornadoes form" or "how this new surgery works"), someone who can give some pithy quotes for video or audio, and/or strong emotions for still photos and audio. Most multimedia stories require that the reporter go into the field to report the story face-to-face with sources, rather than doing a story entirely by telephone.
Compact Flash Audio Recorders
A compact flash audio recorder is a digital audio recording device that saves audio onto a compact flash card - the same kind of card used with a digital photo camera.
Dictation Recorders
Many times professional digital audio recorders such as the Marantz PMD 660 are either not available or are too expensive. This tutorial will show one cheaper "non recommended" alternative when other options are not available.
Minidisc Audio Recorders
A minidisc recorder is a digital audio recording device that saves audio onto a minidisc. Each minidisc holds up to about 80 minutes of recorded audio.
Soundtrack Pro
Soundtrack Pro is an audio editing program designed to work in concert with the Final Cut Pro video editing program. It can be used for more fine tuning of audio tracks in your video files than is possible in Final Cut Pro. It also can be used to edit audio files that are not attached to video, such as audio you recorded on a compact flash recorder or a minidisc recorder.
Pro Tools
ProTools is a professional audio engineering software program made by Digidesign. Although it's used by top-notch pros in the radio industry, ProTools has a fairly easy learning curve, making it just as good for beginners.
Audio Links and Resources
Additional reading, related software, training and more.
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