Bryan Center Studios (BCS) Studio 4 Self Service Audio Podcast Recording User Guide

 

BCS Studio 4 - “The Podcast Studio” Self-Service User Guide

BCS Studio 4 is provided for the purpose of recording for Duke related projects. Any activities not related to its primary use is prohibited. If you are found violating this policy, your access to the BCS will be revoked.

 

Get Help

· Email bcs-help@duke.edu for questions or support. 

· Staff are available for consulting and troubleshooting Monday through Friday, from 9am-5pm, excluding university holidays.

 

Recording

· Turn on the Zoom PodTrak P8 Recorder using the power switch on the rear of the machine.

· Multi–Track (separate files for each audio input) (Requires SD Card)

· Insert an SD card into the rear of the machine. Format the SD card by clicking on the “SD” icon on the LCD screen and then selecting “Format.”

· Single-Track (Requires laptop)

· Connect the USB-C cable to your laptop.

· Make sure the USB Out is turned up.

· In your recording application (Zoom, Quicktime, etc) select “Zoom P8 Audio” as your audio input.

· Put headphones on. Set the corresponding headphone volume output to middle (notch straight up).

· Position the microphones.

· The microphone should be within 6 inches of your mouth.

· Avoid placing the microphone directly in front of your mouth, as it will more easily pick up breathing. Try angling to the side towards your mouth.

· Adjust the red/orange sliders for corresponding microphones.

· Test with your normal speaking volume.

· If the volume meter leaves a red bar at the top, the microphone is “peaking” and the volume is adjusted too high.

· Recording

· Multi-Track  

· Press the Red Circle button to start recording.

· Press the Grey Square button to stop recording.

· Press the Play/Pause button to temporarily pause your recording.

· Single Track

· Will vary depending on your recording software.

· Playback

· If recording to an SD card, press the Red Microphone icon on the LCD screen to access recorded files.

· Connecting to a Remote Interview

· Connect the PodTrak P8 via the USB-C* cable to a laptop.

· Make sure the switch Channel 6 is set to the USB icon

· Adjust your laptops’ audio output to “Zoom P8 Audio”

· Connect to your meeting software and select “Zoom P8 Audio” as your microphone and your speaker (this may vary depending on software).

· Adjust the blue slider (channel 6) on the PodTrak P8 until you can comfortably hear the other participant(s) in the remote call.

· If recording with an SD card, Channel 6 (the audio output from the laptop) will be recorded as a standalone file, alongside the audio from the microphone. 

· Connecting Your Phone

· Press & hold button on the left side of the Bluetooth Adapter for 2 seconds

· Go to Bluetooth connections on your phone.

· Select “BTA-2” and connect

· The Bluetooth Adapter Light will turn from white to blue when connected

· Using The Zoom Room

· To just see the remote side (using something else for audio transmission)

· Connect to your remote source via the Zoom Room control panel

· Mute the audio of the Zoom Room device on the Zoom Room Control Panel

· To bring in a remote participant’s audio to the PodTrakP8 via Zoom Web Conferencing*

· Connect the Zoom Branded Mixer to your laptop via USB**

· Connect the Polycom to your laptop via USB**

· Click the blue “Start” button on the Zoom Room Control panel to enter “BYOD” mode

· Launch Zoom on your laptop

· Set your camera to “Polycom X30”

· Set your microphone to “Polycom X30”

· Set your speaker to “Zoom P8”

· On channel 6 of  the Zoom Branded Mixer, set the switch at the top of the channel all the way to the right for the “USB Symbol”

· That will control the volume of the remote speaker(s)

· Press record on the PodTrak P8 to record your program.

 

 

*If you need a USB-C to USB-A adapter, please contact support as mentioned above if during regular business hours.