Recording

Each audiocassette is produced by a Recording team made up of the Recording Supervisor and two Presenters, a man and a woman. For more information on presenting follow this link. We keep to a regular structure for our scripts which are writen by our Scripwriters, for more information on script writing follow this link. We use a formula that our listeners and we as producers have become used to. We simply change the content from a week to week and month to month basis.

Recording Supervisor

I f you wish to be a Recording Supervisor for the Elmbridge and Runnymede Talking Newspaper, you will receive training in the studio and then be supported through some initial sessions in order to gain the competence needed. You will also be supplied with a detailed manual of operation procedures. It is a straightforward and enjoyable job and you get to know the Presenters.

You are usually the first to arrive and will open the studio, switch on all the equipment. You will need to put up signs outside the studio so that hospital staff know we are recording and are quieter than they might otherwise be.

At present, we record onto audio cassette. You will be the time keeper and so will keep an eye on the tape time counter. The recording lasts for 90 minutes, so roughly 45 minutes each side. Before starting, you will check the recording levels of both your presenters, Presenters A and B, usually a man and a woman.

As well as making a Master Cassette from which others will be copied, you will, directly after recording, make two other copies – a spare to cover for the Master Cassette, and an Archive copy.

You will briefly discuss the scripts with the Presenters, making sure everyone understands what is required of them, what notices are read by whom, where any pre-recorded items are inserted etc. The Presenters will have a few minutes to peruse each item for pronunciation and typographical errors etc. while the previous one is being read. Ensure that Presenters understand a method of indicating they are approaching the end of a particular item.

With everyone satisfied at this point, you are ready to proceed with the recording.

Put on headphones. There is introductory music and music is played in between sections, so you will also use a CD player for this.

Occasional ‘splutters’ on the Presenters’ part are no great tragedy, and can be ignored. Serious ones, however, should be corrected. Also, if the Presenter is not satisfied, go back and re-record from a convenient break point.

You will end side one with some music, and then simply reverse-record back through the other side of the tape so there is no need to take the tape out throughout the whole recording.

On the archive cassette card you list the names of the Presenters, editors and Recording Supervisor(s) and place the cassette in the archive collection cupboard and one copy of the script is placed in an arch lever file.

At the end of the recording the equipment needs to be left as it was found, switched off and unplugged in the all the necessary places. Before leaving you will ensure windows are closed and the door close shut.