<p>I read all the threads I could and I think I'm more confused than when I started. My kid needs to <em>audiovisual</em> prescreens on percussion. We know of no studio that has the proper instruments or is willing to do it (we contacted some people) and his teacher isn't willing to help him-- so he will have to see if his high school will let him do it afterschool. So, with that in mind, any ideas how I do this? I own a pc that does not have audio editing software on it. My kid owns an old Mac that does not have a camera. I could buy a video camera but I would need to know what to buy. When I went to the electronics store, they said any microphone would be good enough and had no advice regarding which camera or what software I would need. Please help. I'm not sure we can pull this off.</p>
<p>There are other threads on this, but in short the Zoom hand-held Q3 audio recorder works well for this. It cost me about $300. It’s battery operated, and connects directly to your PC by a USB cable for download. The audio quality is great–better than when I hook up a microphone to my computer.</p>
<p>Have you contacted any local recording studios? I’d go that route rather than try to purchase everything and have a nervous breakdown getting everything perfect!
The bigger question is why won’t your son’s teacher help out here? That’s part of what they do…</p>
<p>I am hoping that it is a private teacher that is unable to help rather than a school teacher. Most high schools have recording equipment which will do video and audio (often several video cameras for classes)–and the high school is the obvious place to record since all of the percussion equipment is there. </p>
<p>The band/music teacher should be able to help your child contact the appropriate person in the school to get the recording done. Most music departments have at least one video camera for recording concerts, rehearsals etc… I teach in a small high school in one of the most poorly funded jurisdictions north of Mexico (think Mississippi but less money) and our music department has a video camera and other departments also have video cameras.</p>
<p>I would offer to pay whoever sets up the recording equipment and records since officially this recording wouldn’t fall under school duties. At high schools in my community, senior techie students often do this sort of thing. </p>
<p>If the school doesn’t work, then consider hiring a recording technician from a studio or a local college; they could come out to your school to record. For my son’s prescreen, we hired the guy that does the recording for the music department at the local university. He brought his equipment and did the recording in acoustically appropriate venues.</p>
<p>Don’t worry too much about having professional recording studio quality of sound or video.</p>
<p>It’s the private teacher. The high school said he could use the room after school but I was stressing about a recording device and sound quality. The last time my teen tried to make audio recordings of his playing, they were terrible. </p>
<p>I didn’t think that the high school had video cameras but you’re right, they should an that might be the easiest way to go. I didn’t think I would find a recording studio that had a timpani but I did so I will give them a call too. And, if need be, I’ll try to find that camera. Thank you. At least I have a game plan.</p>
<p>We used the zoom Q3 - excellent sound and good video- get a 32 gig card if you decide to go this route- easy to upload and put together with iPhoto and iMovie on a Mac.
Make sure to use a tripod with this! Very sensitive to movement.</p>
<p>We also purchased Zoom Q3 hd camera. it is simple to operate and easy to download the files when you are done. It really is the easiest way to do these video prescreens. At the very easiest level you can use the not that great software that comes with it to move/edit and save the video very easily. you can even choose to save the sound only if some need audio and some need video. I think it is way easier than trying to get many people involved. I liked the freedom of being able to do it myself.</p>
<p>I highly recommend the Q3 HD as well, I have used it a lot now to record recitals and such, and it does a really good job and is easy to use. It is really easy to transfer the files to the computer with its built in USB port and even the limited software you get with it can help create a DVD…there are plenty of free or shareware programs that should allow you to create a DVD if the machine doesn’t have it, check CNET’s download section. I agree with others, get a 32 gig SD card for it, if you record at the highest video and audio levels it is going to eat memory (I recommend not recording in mp3 format, but rather in raw native format).</p>
<p>My daughter has a Q3 at college and used it to record all of her summer and other (eg NYSSOS) auditions. She’s not into technology but was able to use it with no problem.</p>
<p>Thank you! Unfortunately, Best Buy didn’t have the Q3. I borrowed a Sony Handycam from one of my kids but I have no video editing software on my pc so I’m still trying to figure out that part.</p>
<p>the Zoom Q3 is available online from B&H; maybe Amazon as well.</p>
<p>2collegewego- do you know anyone who could let you do it on their mac? imac is very easy to use for editing and then idvd for making the dvd.</p>