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TOPIC 9

AUDIO MEDIA

Synopsis

This topic focuses on how to produce the audio media and integrating it into the teaching
and learning processes. The focus shall be on the explanation of the concepts and principles
of audio media production for educational purposes, the types and uses of audio equipment,
planning and preparation for audio recording as well audio editing.

Learning outcomes
By carrying out the learning activities provided, the teachers should be able to:
i.
Identify the types and methods of using the suitable audio equipment for audio
ii.
iii.
iv.

recording.
Plan and produce educational audio media.
Using the suitable equipment to produce audio media.
Perform audio editing using the suitable application software.

Topic framework
9.1 Utilization of audio media in the teaching and learning processes.
9.2 Audio equipment
9.3 Planning and preparation for audio media.
9.4 Audio recording and editing

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9.1 Utilization of audio media for the teaching and learning processes.
Audio is a range of sound waves that can be heard by human ears. The audio media can
help students who are poor in their reading skills to get an overview without reading the
lengthy text. The narrative element such as storytelling, reviews and dialogue between
characters makes the presentation more lively and interesting. The integration of human
voice, animals, nature, and other sound effects will be able to stimulate the students sense
of hearing which in turn shall enhance learning. The appropriate use of background music
and sound effects makes a scenario appear more realistic. Besides placing emphasis on
certain idea and concepts, it is able to create certain mood, arouse emotion, and challenges
of the students imagination.

Think
What would be the suitable sound effect for the following scenarios?

Figure 9.1 Scenarios and its background sound effects

When the audio media has been use appropriately, we are able to train the students to build
good listening skills, to speak fluently and communicate effectively. Active listening is an
essential skill which enables the students to understand the message and develop mutual
understanding between the sender and the receivers. This may result in effective behavioral
change and lead to team building.(Rogers & Farson, 1987).
Active listening involves the following habitual behavior:
i.
ii.
iii.

Paying attention to the speaker or the teacher, including the verbal and non-verbal
language.
Actively participate in the communication by giving appropriate responses.
Delay making any judgment before the speaker had finished telling his story.

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Good listening skills bring about effective communication where by the students will be able
to understand the verbal massage as well as the intention and emotion behind it. It helps the
students to interact with the family members, teachers and friends more effectively and
harmoniously. Based on the relevant information obtained through effective communication,
the students will be able to make decision and solve their problems more readily.

9.2 Types of audio equipment

There are several categories of audio equipment based on their respective function:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Audio recording equipment.

Output devices which enable us to listen to play back of the audio production.
Storage devices which keep the audio production in the reusable format.
Equipment or software which enables us to do audio editing.

Basically, we classify the audio media into two formats, i.e. the analogue and digital formats.
There is different equipment involved when we intend to record, edit and to store the
different audio file formats.

9.2.1

Equipment for audio recording

We may use the audio cassettes and audio tape recorder to record analog sound, or using
the computer, MP3 recorder, iPod, mobile phones, and digital camera to record the digital
audio. All of the above devices need a microphone to input the audio signal into the audio
recorder.

9.2.1.1 Tools for audio recording.

Audio Format
Analogue
Digital

Types of recorder required

Magnetic tape recorder
Cassette recorder
computer
Digital voice recorder iPod
MP3 recorder
iPod
Mobile phone
Multifunctional digital camera

Figure 9.2 Example of audio recording devices.

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9.2.1.2 Microphones
The microphones may be classified according to its form, mechanism, and the direction of
audio signal reception (pickup patterns).
Types of microphone
Dynamic microphones

Its characteristics
It is useful when the sound source is close and not too loud.
It is suitable for recording sound which pitch is
predominantly bass or mid-range, for example, the Pop
concert or rock n roll. It can be used to record sound
produced by musical instrument such as the percussion,
guitar and used in video camera. The output volume is low,
it is robust (tough) and its price is relatively cheaper as

Condenser microphones

compared to the other types of microphones.

This type of microphone is quite sensitive and more fragile.
It is able to pick up high frequency signals and distant
sound. It is able produces louder output.
It is suitable to be used for studio recording and for
orchestra performance.

Unidirectional microphones

Able to pick up sound from one direction only. Normally it

receives sound signal from the front part of the microphone.
Its pickup pattern can either be cardioids and Hyper
cardioids. It is useful when we need to eliminate the noise
from the surrounding environment.

Bi-directional microphones

It can pick up sound form the opposite direction, which is

ideal for dialogue or for meeting.

Omni directional microphones

It picks up sound from all direction and is ideal when there

is only one microphone to be shared by many speakers. It
may also be hang from the ceiling to receive sound signals
from the singers and the band.

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Types of microphones according to its use.

Shotgun
It is normally used for the video camera.

Lavaliere

It is attached to the body or on clothing.

Headset

Ideal for studio recording and on stage performance

whereby the artists need to move about frequently form
place to place.

Wireless

It enables the speaker to move freely in a wider area.

How do you stretch out and extend your microphone coverage to reach a target that is far
away from you?

9.2.1.3 Loud speaker

The loud speaker (speaker) enables the audience to hear sound playback by the audio
recorder.
There are three types of drivers in a speaker system:

Tweeter The driver which produces the high frequency sound in the stereo speaker

system. It is the smallest in size.

Midrange It reproduces sound in the middle frequency.
Woofer It reproduces sound in low frequency (bass). It is the biggest driver in the
system.

Figure 9.4The speaker system consists of three drivers.

(Source: http://www.hometheaternetwork.com/HTN_speaker1.htm)
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9.2.4 Audio mixer and audio editor

The audio mixer helps to depict the scenario and creates the mood for a story, drama,
explanation, etc.
For the analogue sound format, the audio mixer combines and controls the output of various
audio signals in order to achieve the desirable sound effects. Whereas in the case of digital
audio, the editor and mixer is the computer application software which is able to remix and
edit the sound file according to ones need and preferences.

9.2.5

Audio file storage

The sound file may be saved and edited repeatedly when need arises. The storage devices
for analogue audio format are mainly the magnetic tape and the audio cassettes. The digital
audio files may be saved in the computer hardware such as the hard discs, audio discs,
memory card, optical discs like the CDs and DVDs.

9.3 Planning and the preparation of audio media

If you failed to plan, you have planned to fail!
The planning and preparation stage is the key to successful audio production, especially if
you aim at conveying the educational messages via the audio media. A teacher who is
skillful in conveying the message systematically in a logical sequence, with the consideration
of the ability and preference of the students while designing the plot and scenes, will be able
to guide his students towards attaining the learning outcomes.
The planning and preparation phase involves:
i.
Identify the objectives and learning outcomes
a. By referring to syllabus and standards, we can identify the objectives and
standards, scopes of the contents, the types of learning activities, and values
ii.

which should be included in the audio presentation.

Analyze the learners (or the target audience)
Bear in mind what could be the prior knowledge, ability and preferences of the
target audience before we can identify the appropriate approach, style, the
scope, examples and elaboration which may effectively capture the students
attention, arouse their interest and convey the essential massage
successfully.

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iii.

Obtain the information (The topic, skills, content)and the relevant resources (sound

iv.

effects, background music, CDs, etc.)

Preparing the script
Clearly define the sequencing of the content, the relevant sound effects for a
particular scenario, when and how the background music should come in, when to
pause, phrases which needed emphasis and alike.
The script is a guide for the producer, the talents as well as the production crews. It
helps the team to visualize how to act out a scene, to pin point the appropriate time
to dub in the background music and/ or the sound effects and so on and so forth.
The following is a sample of the audio production script abstracted and adapted from
the IELTS Listening Recording 1:
Talent/ Narrator

Dialogue / Text

Music

Sound effect
Beep sound
played repeatedly
for 3 seconds.

Narrator

You will hear a telephone

conversation between a
customer and an agent at a
company which ships large
boxes overseas.
The sound of the
telephone ringing
and picking up of
the handset.

Actor A

Good morning, Packhams

Shipping Agents. Can I help

Actor B

you?
Oh yes, Im ringing to make
enquiries about sending a
large box, a container, back

Actor A

home to Kenya from the UK.

Yes, of course. Would you
like me to try and find some

Actor B

quotations for you?

Yes, thatd be great.

Actor A

Thank you.
Well first of all, I need a few

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Talent/ Narrator
Actor B
Actor A
Actor B
Actor A

Dialogue / Text
details from you.
Fine.
Can I take your name?
Its Jacob Mkere.
Can you spell your surname,

Actor B

please?
Yes, its M-K-E-R-E.

Music

Sound effect

Music

The sound effect

Fade in

of someone
typing with the
typewriter.

Table 9.1 a sample of audio production script.

The narrator and the actors need to study the script and rehearse before the actual
recording take place in order to eliminate the chances of making mistakes during the
audio recording phase.
v.
vi.

To identify the appropriate talents who will be able to act out the script skillfully to
enliven the oral presentation.
Preparing the audio recording equipment and booking the studio if necessary.

9.3 Recording and audio editing

The procedures for audio recording include:
i.

Prior to the actual recording session, make sure that all of the equipment is in good

ii.
iii.

condition.
Find a place which is free from unwanted noise, preferably a sound studio.
During the actual audio recording session, ensure that all the sound level of the
microphone input and speaker output are set to the optimum level, which neither too

iv.

loud nor too soft.

It is advisable to record the narration without the sound effects and the background

v.

music so as to save the audio editing and remixing in later stage from complication.
Play back the recording to identify any segment that needs second take, etc.

Audio editing
The digital audio file may be recorded and saved in various format. It may be edited and play
back using audio editing software. Example of the commonly used editing softwares includes
Windows Sound Recorder, Soundforge, and Audacity.

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You may need to find out the meaning of certain technical terms related to audio editing such
as fade in, fade out, cross-fading, amplify, silence, echo, change pitch, change
tempo, etc.
It will be helpful to have a glimpse of the audio file format so that we may be able to identify
the appropriate play back application program and equipment.
Digital audio format
Waveform Audio File
Format
MPEG Layer-3format

File

Its characteristics

extension
The standard audio format for computers which use
.wav

.mp3

the Windows operation system. It is uncompressed;

hence its file size is relatively large.
The most popular audio format for downloading and
saving audio files for Internet.
It is a list of musical notes acts as the standard
commands that allows the electronic musical

Musical Instrument
Digital Interface

.mid

instrument, performance controllers, computers and

related devices to communicate, and to play back
the sound, very much like the human reading the

Audio Interchange File

Format

.AIFF

music sheet.
Audio file format which is normally used for Apple
Macintosh.

Table 9.2 Digital audio file formats.

Further reading
You may use the following URL to reach the website of fileinfo.com for further
information:
http://www.fileinfo.com/filetypes/audio
Practical
Lets draft a simple digital audio recording script which may be used to produce
audio media that teaches a standard lesson for your major or elective subject.
State clearly the texts (dialogue and/or narration), when and how to insert the
suitable background music and sound effects so as to make your audio
presentation more lively and interesting.
You are free to choose your preferred type of audio recording equipment and
audio editor program.

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Conclusion

The audio media production for the teaching and learning processes involves planning and
preparation prior to the actual audio recording. This is to ensure that the audio media
contains the necessary information which leads to the attainment of the learning outcomes.
Knowledge about the type of audio recording and editing equipment adhere to the principles
of effective audio production helps to generate an effective audio media that delivers its
massage precisely and accurately. It in turns helps the students to get a clear overview of
the topic and arouse their interest to do further literature review. May this sharing of
information help you to pick up the relevant knowledge and skills in audio media production
which may serve as an effective channel to deliver the essential information to its target
audience.

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Self-evaluation
Answer the following questions to test your understanding of the topic.
A. Multiple choice questions
1. The following statements depict the benefits of using the audio media in the
teaching and learning processes except
A. It is possible to replay certain segment to enhance the understanding
B. The sequence of replay is fixed and unchangeable.
C. Ideal for students who have problem acquiring their reading skills.
D. Can be duplicated with ease and the cost for production is low.
2. The type of microphone which is suitable for interview will be:
A. unidirectional
B. bi-directional
C. omnidirectional
D. lavaliere microphone
3. What is the technical terminology which describes the editing effect where the
background music is getting softer and then became complete silence?
A. Amplify
B. Fade in
C. Fade out
D. Silence
4. How do you reach out to a subject who stood far away from your microphone
coverage? What would be the ideal accessories for such purpose?
A. Boom
B. Pop-filter
C. Stand
D. Windscreen

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B. Essay Questions
1. Good planning and careful preparation brings about effective delivery through
audio media.
Describe how would you go about planning and producing audio recording for
slide show (PowerPoint presentation) regarding the Iban culture.
2. You will like to produce a storytelling recording for Year 1-3 students and will air it
during the recess. The genre will be fictions and legends.
How do you stimulate the students sense of hearing and uses the audio effects
to challenge their imagination?

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