AQA Audio Recorder (Based on the latest stable Audacity release Version 1.2.6) For use with MFL Speaking Tests

Transcription

1 AQA Audio Recorder (Based on the latest stable Audacity release Version 1.2.6) For use with MFL Speaking Tests User Guide (Microsoft Windows version) version 1.4

2 Table of Contents Requirements... 3 Introduction Installation Settings Opening the AQA Audio Recorder Getting Started Using a USB external Microphone Considering Recording Conditions Starting Recording Saving Your Recording Playback Helpdesk Contact

3 Requirements The AQA Audio Recorder is supported for the following configurations: Windows Version Recommended RAM Recommended Processor Speed Minimum RAM Minimum Processor Speed Windows XP 512Mb 1Ghz 128Mb 300Mhz Windows Vista Home Basic 2Gb 1Ghz 512Mb 1Ghz Windows Vista Home Premium/Business/Ultimate 4Gb 2Ghz 1Gb 1Ghz The AQA Audio Recorder is based on the latest stable audacity release available which is version None of the beta versions of Audacity available to download from the Audacity website will be supported. It is highly recommended that users record using an external USB Microphone for better audio quality. For example, the following microphone has been tested successfully by AQA: - Logitech USB Desktop Microphone - PN USB memory sticks can be used to save your recordings. Important: You may need Administrator rights on your computer to download and install the software. Please contact your IT Department. Introduction This application is built from the latest stable Audacity release in order to provide the most reliable application possible. The application is very easy to use, and the installation and interface have been changed to give you the best experience installing it. In order to record any audio files, we recommend you use the application that AQA has provided which has been configured specifically for this use. The application used to package this download is an open source tool called Audacity. To download AQA s version of this tool, please go to: On the page click Recorder Software. 3

4 We recommend you save the software locally on your pc, click Save. Select the path where you wish to save the file. Follow the steps below to install and use the tool. 1 Installation Once you have downloaded the file from AQA s website, double click on the icon AQA Audio Recorder (shown below) to start the installation: The installation Setup Wizard window will open. To launch the installation click Next. 4

5 Please do not consider the warning message. This is only a standard statement; you can proceed to the installation. The next step is to define where you want the application to be installed on your computer. It is recommended that you keep the default path (shown below), then click Next. The next step will be to select installation options: IMPORTANT: You must tick the boxes Required Files and Make Shortcuts Visible to All Users. 5

6 There are 2 further options on this screen that you are able to select that determine where you want to add shortcuts for accessing the application. See below how each selection appears. Selecting Add Shortcuts to Start Menu ensures that you can select the application directly from the Start Menu. Add Shortcuts to Desktop will add an icon on the desktop. Click Next to continue the installation. At the end of installation click Finish 2 Settings During the AQA Audio Recorder installation, the application will be set with the default value recommended by AQA. 6

7 However, not all required settings have been configured by AQA. It is described below how the software should be set to provide high quality recordings with small acceptable file size. The settings can be altered by clicking on Edit Menu and selecting Preferences. This opens a window called Audacity Preferences. Once in this window select the Quality Tab (shown below). We recommend that you change the following settings Default Sample Rate to 44100Hz and Default Sample Format to 16-bit (these settings are used by the BBC to produce their Podcasts). The other important variable that can be altered is changing the Bit-rate of the mp3 created (an mp3 is a computer sound file and the Bit-rate is how many bits, or how much of that file is played back to you in one second). Click OK to save the changes. 7

8 Still using Edit Menu and Preferences, select the File Formats tab and change the Bit Rate value to 56 (shown below). Click OK to save the changes. 3 Opening the AQA Audio Recorder Click on the desktop icon to open the application: Or from the menu Start - Programs, open the folder AQA Audio Recorder and click the icon AQA Audio Recorder 8

9 At first launch, you will be ask to choose the language (English by default) Click OK 4 Getting Started For ease of use, we have configured the screen to show only the minimum tools required for your recording Control Toolbar; Mixer Toolbar and Input Device (see below). Control Toolbar - this toolbar works very much like a video or cassette recorder Record Starts the recording of an audio file. Pause Temporarily stops the recording or playback. This comes in useful if you record one part of your recording and then want to prepare yourself for the next section. To restart the recording press the pause button again. Stop Ends the recording or playback. This must be done before any further editing is carried out. Play Plays back a recording. 9

10 Back Skip Skips to the beginning of the recording. Forward Skip Skips to the end. Mixer Toolbar The Mixer Toolbar has two controls, used to set the volume levels of your audio device. The leftmost slider controls the output volume, the other slider controls the recording volume. Input Device The only other feature that is important at this stage is the input device. If you click the drop down arrow you will see a list of different options, but this list could be different depending on your PC configuration. You should select the appropriate option for the microphone you will be using to record the tests. For example: using a laptop. If you are using the internal microphone of the computer select Microphone, if you are using an external microphone (not USB) which is plugged into the computer select Line in. If you are using an USB external Microphone, you should be able to select Stereo Mix. The name of the devices can be different depending of the PC configuration (Audio devices installed). Audacity is working with the information provided by Microsoft Windows - Hardware. It is highly recommended that you use an external microphone, as builtin microphones can pick up extraneous noises and prevent high quality recordings. It is essential that this aspect is fully tested well in advance of any recordings to ensure high quality. If you are using a USB External Microphone, go to section 5. If not, go to section 6. 5 Using a USB external Microphone Before starting your recording, plug the microphone into the computer (shown below) or laptop. 10

11 Right click on the audio icon on the toolbar in the bottom right hand corner of your screen to open the menu. Once the menu opens select Adjust Audio Properties. This will open a window called Sounds and Audio Devices Properties. Once in this window select the Audio tab (shown below). In the sound recording drop down menu, change the default device to the USB Device you plugged in (our example below is C-Media USB Headphone Set). Click on OK to save the changes. 11

12 Ensure that the volume for the Sound recording is set correctly or adjusted for the recording. Click Volume This will open the volume control. Move up the cursor to increase the volume or move down to decrease. In our example, only one cursor is available (USB External Microphone). If you are not using a USB External Microphone, the windows will display 3 cursors, one for each possible input source. Move the cursor for the appropriate device (see Section 4 above for more details). 12

13 Once you have done this, close the window by clicking the top right corner icon The previous window Sounds and Audio Devices Properties will be displayed. Click on OK to save the changes. Next, click on the Edit menu and select Preferences. 13

14 This will open a window called Audacity Preferences. Once in this window select the Audio I/O tab (shown below). In Recording, select the USB Microphone (our example below is C-Media USB Headphone Set). Click on OK to save the changes. You can now start recording using the USB Microphone, ensuring that you have selected Stereo Mix as the input device. IMPORTANT: If you reboot the PC with the microphone plugged in, the input device on the AQA Audio Recorder will be greyed out (shown below). The settings will be available only from the preference tab Audio I/O. 14

15 6 Considering Recording Conditions When making a recording you need to remember the microphone will pick up most of the sound made around it during that time. Here are some tips to consider: Background noise - the recording will pick up other sounds made in the room including other people talking, machine noise and telephone rings. To avoid this it is best to record in a quiet and secluded room. Microphone position You must ensure that the location of the external Microphone enables both speakers to be heard clearly during the test. It is essential that this is tested in situ well in advance of any recordings. It is highly recommended that you use an external microphone, as builtin microphones pick up extraneous noises and prevent high quality recordings. 7 Starting Recording Before you start recording it is important to make a few final checks. If you are using an external microphone, ensure that it is plugged in correctly. Check that the Input Device is set appropriately, either Microphone, Line in (see section 4 above Getting Started ) or Stereo Mix (see section 5 above Using a USB external Microphone ). When you are happy that the recording environment is correct, you should begin recording. Press Record and start speaking. As you talk, you should notice the sound wave trace (shown below) is produced. You may also notice the Mixer Toolbar will move to the sound of your voice, and the Timer Positions at the bottom of the screen will be counting. 15

16 It is recommended that you listen to your recording in case you need to adjust some of the parameters. For instance, if you think the volume of the recording is too loud or too quiet, you can adjust the volume level by moving the tab on the microphone section of the Mixer Toolbar. It is suggested you test this until it is at a level that is suitable to you. 8 Saving Your Recording When you are happy with your recording, you will need to save it. To save the recording follow the steps below. Individual candidate recordings should be saved as.mp3 files. The filename must contain the component code, centre number and candidate number, eg GER2_55217_0041.mp3. On the File menu select Export as mp3. This will open a window which will ask you to name your recording and select where you would like to store (USB Memory Stick recommended). Ensure that you give the recording an appropriate name in the File name box (shown in red above and see section 8 above). When the recording has been given a name and you have selected the destination folder, click Save. A further window will open which will let you personalise the recorded file by adding a tag which will then display in most mp3 players. 16

17 This is optional information but it could help to recognise your recordings while playing using an mp3 player such as Windows Media player, itunes or Winamp. For example, you could fill the Artist field with the candidate name, and the title field with the examination name. Once this has been done click OK. When closing the application AQA Audio Recorder will ask if you want to save changes before closing. All your recordings will have been exported into mp3 files, there is no need to save. Click No. 9 Playback Mp3 files can be played with a wide range of different players. All versions of Microsoft Windows (Windows XP to Windows 7) include as a minimum, Windows Media Player. The example demonstrates how to play the files with Windows Media Player 11 (latest version available to download from Windows Update). Locate the mp3 recordings on the computer or USB Memory Stick depending on where you saved the files (see section 8 above). On the desktop, double click on My Computer. ` 17

18 Browse the computer to locate the files. For example, the drive titled Removable Disk could be a USB Memory Stick, or an external Hard Disk. Double click the file to open it with Windows Media Player. The file will start automatically; make sure the tab Now Playing (see picture above) is selected. The name of the file that is being played is displayed on the right. To pause the recording, click 18

19 To start playing, click To listen to a specific part of the recording move the Seek cursor to the correct position. Mouse over anywhere on the bar to display the cursor. Once you have finished playing the recording you can close Windows Media Player. Click on the top right corner. 10 Helpdesk Contact Exams Office Support is open Monday Friday (8am to 5pm.) Telephone number: eos@aqa.org.uk 19