Linguistics Graduate Course Union (LGCU)
Department of Linguistics, University of Toronto

Recording with the Sound Booth

(Instructions kindly prepared by Kevin Heffernan)

You can also download these instructions in PDF format.

Stats:

Marantz CDR300 digital CD recorder
            24 bit resolution
            58 kHz sample rate

AT3035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
            20~20,000 Hz frequency response

Stored in cabinet:

• mic in pouch
• digital recorder
• power cord
• manual
• CD (pdf of manual)
• print out of recorder manual

Setup and recording (pages refer to the recorder instruction manual):

1. Microphone is directional. The front labelled “Audio-technica”. It sits vertically in the holder. The mic does not have an on switch.
2. Plug mic into left jack on front of recorder (p.13#3).
3. Power button for recorder is on the back (p.7#4). This puts it into stand by. Turn it on at the top front.
4. Insert blank CD. The CD must be of a recording speed that compatible with the recorder (either 1X or 2X, pg. 31). The recorder makes audio files. They playback in a CD player. To use with a program such as PRAAT, you first need to convert to some format that the computer can use such as mp3, wav, etc. with a program such as AudioConverter (which the department owns for this purpose). If you use a CDRW disk, you can rerecord, but you cannot play it in a CD player. A CDR will play in a CD player.
5. Turn on the phantom power for the mic (p.8#2). Make sure it says PHANTOM ON.
6. Set phone selector to MIC/LINE (p.13#2).
7. Set LINE MIC INT switch to MIC (p. 13#3).  
8. Set L/R L=R switch to L/R (p.13#5).
9. Set INPUT to ANALOG (p.14#4).
10. Set REC LEVEL to ALC (p.14#5).
11. Set MIC/LINE ATT to OFF (p.14#7).
12. Set SPEAKER to OFF (p.9#7)
13. Set REC MODE to RECORD (p.9#7). Press “select” (the large dial on top, turn to change the selection, press it in when you are the correct selection). The red record button should flash.
14. Set your input level for the left mic. The level meter (p. 11#8) should light up almost all of the way, but avoid clipping (meter hits the top). Press REC to start recording.

Playback:

1. Turn SPEAKER to ON
2. Turn PHONE SELECT to LINE OUT
3. Turn up the speaker level (p.13#1)
4. Press play.
5. Rotate the SELECT dial to switch tracks. Press and hold the FF button to advance while playing back.