I like working with audio content and have been doing so for over 5 years. Hearing someone’s voice can bring an intimacy, a connection, a tone.
Recently I’ve changed from using the M-Audio Microtrack 24/96 and bought the Sony PCM-M10 handheld digital recorder. I’ve been working with this since March 2012 – it’s fantastic.
I love the new recorder as it is. Easy to use. Portable. Beautifully simple.
Something else changed. I’ve started to use a small tripod as part of my set-up to record speakers at conference events and for audio interviews.
Here’s what it looks like.
It’s neat and dinky, suitably out of the way, placed on a table close enough to the speakers.
The tripod elevates the recorder physically – that’s all it does. Or does it?
It’s made me think about what effect knowing that a recording is taking place has on those present and whether this has changed at all over the last few years with the increasing ubiquity of photo, video and audio and live broadcasting.
Using the recorder with the tripod does seem to make a difference. Here’s how:
Curiosity
People are asking – ‘what’s that? how does it work? what happens with it?’ It does look aesthetically pleasing which also helps to arouse interest. This curiosity may just be an initial novelty factor.
It’s the second element which is interesting.
Purposefulness
Using the tripod makes it seem much more purposeful. Having the recorder lying flat on a table somehow seems passive – it may or may not be doing something.
On a tripod – it’s definite, it’s active – it’s there for a purpose.
Which can have a knock-on effect for the people involved.
I’m curious to explore how use of the equipment will develop over future recordings. It’s emphasised for me that a small adjustment can go a long way.