Archive for March, 2011

How to Start a Micro Radio Station (LPFM)

Posted: March 10, 2011 in eHow, Electronics, FM Radio, Radio Broadcasting, Radio Stations, Terrestrial Radio
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By Lori Spencer

The Federal Communications Commission created the Low Power FM (LPFM) radio service in January 2000. Also known as “micro” FM radio stations, broadcasters on these frequencies are authorized for noncommercial broadcasting only, and operate at low power to serve a small geographical area (usually less than 10 miles). LPFM stations are available to nonprofit educational groups, public safety, and transportation organizations. They currently are not available to individuals or commercial entities.

Despite these barriers to getting low-power FM stations on the air, the microradio movement continues to grow, and new “pirate” stations pop up faster than the FCC can shut them down. If your organization wants to start a legal micro station, lots of help is available from the micro broadcasting community.

Adding A New Audio Track to Your Video

Posted: March 10, 2011 in Audio, Computers, eHow, Electronics, Film, Hobbies & Collecting, Home Recording, music, musicians, Recording, Software, Sound Design, Video, Vocal Recording, Web Video
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By Lori Spencer

 

When producing your video project, you might want to record a new audio track to mix with or replace the existing audio on your video. For example, maybe you want to add narration to a documentary film. You can accomplish this from within your video editing program, such as Windows Movie Maker for PC (or iMovie for Mac).

For the purposes of this tutorial, we’ll be using Windows Movie Maker. However, the basic audio recording functions are the same in iMovie and most other movie-making software programs.

Step 1

Purchase a good quality external microphone for recording your audio track. While you don’t have to invest in a top-of-the-line microphone, plan to spend at least $50 to $100 for a microphone of sufficient quality. Same goes for headphones; if you don’t already own a good pair, it’s well worth it to invest in headphones that will give you the cleanest and most accurate sound possible.

Step 2

Plug the microphone into the mic jack on your computer. (You may need an adapter if the plug is too large for the jack.)

Step 3

Plug your headphones into the computer’s headphone jack.

Step 4

Open your movie project file in the video authoring program (in this case, Windows Movie Maker).

Step 5

Place the cursor in the audio area of the time line at the point where you want the narration to begin. (The audio track area is located just below the video time line.)

Step 6

Press Narrate Time Line. The narration wizard will appear. Select your recording input as microphone.

Step 7

Test your recording levels and adjust the microphone volume level accordingly. Play back the test recording to make sure you are getting enough gain on the microphone without distortion.

Step 8

Press Record and speak normally into the microphone. The narration wizard will play your movie to help guide you during recording of the voice track.

Step 9

Press Stop when you are finished recording. The track is automatically inserted into the audio area of your movie time line.

The narration you recorded is saved as a Windows Media Audio file (WMA). By default, the narration file is saved in the My Videos/Narration folder on your computer.

Step 10

Work with the track by selecting it with your mouse. Now you can move it around, trim the beginning/end and adjust the volume level in the mix. (For example, you can layer the narration track over background music or the audio on your existing video.)

Step 11

Save your movie project with the new audio track when you are done editing.

Tips

You can record the audio track in a separate audio recording program such as Audacity or WavePad. This gives you more control over the sound and the ability to add effects and perform more advanced editing tasks.

To add a prerecorded audio file (such as an MP3, WMA or WAV file) to your movie, use the Import function to import the file into your Collections pane. Then drag the audio file into the time line and insert it at the point where you want it to play.

Warnings

Key Concepts

  • record narration video
  • record audio video
  • audio video recording
  • windows movie maker
  • apple imovie software
  • video authoring software

References

Resources (Further Reading)

User Bio

Lori Spencer has written professionally since 1986. She is the author of three nonfiction books, is writing her fourth and provides content for eHow and LIVESTRONG.COM. She also produces and hosts a weekly radio show. Her subjects of expertise include history, media, music, film and the performing arts.

How to Record With a Toshiba DVD Recorder

Posted: March 8, 2011 in eHow, Electronics, Home Recording, Home Theater, Recording, Video
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How to Record With a Toshiba DVD Recorder | eHow.com.

By Lori Spencer

How to Broadcast Radio on the Web

Posted: March 8, 2011 in Disc Jockey, eHow, Home Recording, Internet Broadcasting, Internet Radio, Lifestyles, music, Radio Broadcasting, Radio Stations, Webcasting
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How to Broadcast Radio on the Web | eHow.com.

By Lori Spencer

Legal Rights of Renters in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Posted: March 3, 2011 in eHow, Law
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By Lori Spencer

According to research compiled by the Arise Citizens’ Policy Project, more than half a million Alabama residents live in rental housing. Yet, it wasn’t until 2007 that the state legislature passed the Uniform Residential Landlord-Tenant Act.

If you live in Tuscaloosa, state law governs your rights and remedies as a tenant. Conditions in your rental that may affect healthand safety are governed by uniform international building codes. If you have questions about the safety of your dwelling…