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Audio Tutorials > Fostex FR2-LE with EW112P

Fostex FR2-LE with EW112P

This tutorial will show you how to make a high quality audio recording with the Fostex FR - 2LE (Field Memory recorder) and a Sennheiser EW112P G2 series radio mic.

1. Your equipment: The Fostex FR-2LE and Sennheiser EW112P

Before You Start: Make sure you have all the correct equipment and it is all in working order. Typically, an audio recording kit around the Fostex FR2LE might include:

• Fostex FR - 2LE (Field Memory recorder), including CF memory card (already inserted), along with AC adaptor and battery case.
• The recorder comes with a remote control for use with a boom, as well as carrying bag and shoulder strap.
• One set of radio mics (1 transmitter and 1 receiver), also including clip mic, wind shield and cable. (Sennheiser EW100 G2 series)

To power the equipment you can either use the AC adaptor (mains power) for the Fostex FR-2LE or 4 x AA batteries for the battery pack. The radio mics need 2 x AA batteries in both the transmitter and receiver. Ideally you would use rechargables - the EW100 G2 series runs very well off rechargeables. If you are recording away from mains be sure to take spares in case the battery life runs out. All equipment has a battery life gauge to show remaining battery life.

2. Names and Functions:

2.1. Front of the recorder (important)

Here's quick run through the FR2-LE - make sure that you can identify the relevant parts of the equipment. Let's start with the 'front' of the recorder. All important controls for recording are situated here.

• 1) Memory card slot protection cover, and
• 2) the memory card slot itself, with card eject button.
• 3) Mic peak indicators - indicators will light up when the input is 'overloading'
• 4) Level Meters - Shows the recording or playback levels.
• 5) Recording level control - Adjusts the input level for recording, does not influence the internal microphones. (These are linked to the level meters (4). If the level shown on the level meters is too low or too high, use the recording level control to adjust this.)
• 6) Record (REC) button - Slide the button across to begin recording.
• 7) Record Standby (REC STBY) button - Press this button when ready to record. Allows you to check the input levels also can be used to stop recording.
• 8) Monitor control - Adjusts the output levels of either headphones or a monitor. Also can adjust the output levels of the internal speakers.
• 9) Mic Trim controls - Adjusts the input level of external microphones from Analog in connectors L and R. (They are linked to the mic peak indicators (3) - If the mic peak indicators light up, you need to reduce the mic trim.)

2.2. Top of the recorder (only LCD display is important for now)

We now look a the top of the recorder. For recording, really you only need the LCD display, the other controls you can look at later when you're copying materials off the recorder, or when you are playing back some audio.

• 1) LCD Display Screen
• 2) Internal Microphones - Situated both sides of the panel as Internal L and R inputs.
• 3) Light / Contrast - Allows you to light the screen. Hold button down for a few seconds for the light to stay on, press again to turn off. Allows you to adjust the screen contrast.
• 4) Shift - Press and hold this button whilst using other buttons to enable the secondary operation.
• 5) Menu / Enter - Pressing this allows you to enter the menu option and also is used to select each setting. Using shift with the menu button allows you to a quick set up mode.
• 6) Prev File - When more than one file is stored using this button will skip to the previous file. Pressing this button with shift allows you to go to the previous cue point if any are set.
• 7) Next File - When more than one file is stored using this button will skip to the next file. Pressing this button with shift allows you to go to the next cue point if any are set.
• 8) + / Up key - While in menu mode this button allows you to scroll up. Used with shift will lock the panel.
• 9) Rewind - Allows you to rewind through files.
• 10) Fast Forward - Allows you to fast forward through files.
• 11) - / Mark key - By pressing this key whilst recording or playback marks a cue point, in menu setup it scrolls down and with shift will delete the previous cue point.
• 12) Stop key - Stops the files and exits the menu screen from any mode.
• 13) Play key - Starts playback of files.

2.3. Left side: Audio inputs (important)

• 1) DC in Jack - Used to connect the AC Adaptor.
• 2) Remote Input - Used to connect the remote control.
• 3) ANALOG IN - Used to connect an external microphone.

2.4. Right side: Power and headphones (important)

• 1) Power Switch - Turns recorder on and off. To turn off hold the power switch up for two seconds.
• 2) USB Port - Used to transfer audio files to and from a PC or MAC.
• 3) Monitor Output - These connectors output -10dBV analog audio signals.
• 4) Headphones Jack - Allows you to connect headphones to the recorder to monitor audio.

2.5. Back: battery compartments

• 1) Battery Compartment - This compartment houses 4x AA batteries.

3. Setting Up:

3.1. Setting up the Fostex FR-2LE Recorder

Have the recorder on a flat surface in front of you and either connect the AC adaptor into the power input and a nearby power socket. If you use a power socket, make sure that nobdoy will trip over the cable - use gaffer tape to tape down the cable if necessary. The power input for the recorder displays a "-" and "+" symbol and is located next to the remote socket.

Using the radio mics, the recorder does not have to be close to the transmitter - it will pick up from a distance as long as there is nothing substantial between them such as a solid wall.

To connect the radio mics to the recorder insert the large silver plug (XLR cable) into the ANALOG IN connectors and the smaller end connects to the reciever. Use just the L input for one mic; use and L and R if you have two mics.

The picture shows (left to right): power connection, the remote control plugged in (not needed), and a single mic connected to the left input of the recorder:

Here's a picture of the receiver, with XLR cable connected:

Also connect your headphones to the "phones" connection on the right hand side of the recorder.

3.2. Radio mic transmitter

If the mic isn't already attached, attach the clip microphone to the transmitter: The mic plugs in at the top, and there is a screw to secure it.

Turn both transmitter and receiver on by pressing the on/off button, which is situated underneath the flap for the battery compartment. The flap lifts by squeezing either side to release it.

Have a look at the picture above, and do this check:

• On both transmitter and receiver: Has the display lit up, and are both powerlights showing?
• On the receiver the RF light (green) should be on, and and the upper black bar on the screen should be on full (indicating full radio reception).
• When you talk into the mic, do the level indicators (on both the transmitter and receiver) flicker?
• Now mute the transmitter, and look at the receiver: Has the "radio reception bar" fallen to zero? If not, change frequency, see 'trouble shooting' below.

3.3. Switching on and Testing Sound Quality

Switch on the power switch on the right hand side of the recorder . The screen will turn on and make sure that in the bottom right of the screen it says BWF 44-16. This is the correct format for recording.

Make sure the bottom option on the right of the screen that says "SRC" which means source, is set to INPUT according to the ANALOG IN position you have plugged the mics into. Otherwise it could be set to record from the internal microphones.

To test whether there is sound being picked up look at both the transmitter and reciever. If they are on the same wave length both screens should be showing the activity coming through the clip mic. Now turn on the REC STBY switch on the front of the field audio recorder and the same activity should be shown on the recorder screen.

Try tapping, scratching or speaking into the microphone while watching the levels. They should coincide with the activity coming through the microphone. You should also hear the activity coming through the headphones. Try testing that the internal microphone is not picking up any sound by tapping on those. They should not register anything.

Trouble shooting:

• No sound. Make sure both the transmitter and the receiver are on the same wave length in order for them to be able to pick each other up. Check the 'sound chain':
  • Is level meter on the transmitter flickering when you speak into the mic? If not, check that it's turned on, and not on mute, and that the mic is properly connected?
  • Is the level meter on the receiver flickering? If not, check radio reception.
  • Is the level meter on the recorder flickering? If not, check the cables are connected properly.
  • All of these are working, but you don't hear anything? Check the volume control for the headphones.
• Strange sounds / other people speaking.
  • Do this test: try turning the transmitter off, if the green light on the receiver stays on and the black bar showing the radio reception is still full, someone nearby may be using the same frequency.
  • If the wave length is already used (e.g. if you can hear other sounds, or the "radio reception bar" doesn't fall to zero when you turn of the transmitter), you need to change the frequency (on both transmitter and receiver). You must never have two microphones transmitting on the same frequency. (Two receivers receiving signals from the same microphone is ok though.)

Mobile phones on the person connected to the mic must be turned off otherwise they will interfere.

3.4. Attaching the microphone to the speaker

Ideally you want to do this at least 15 minutes before the lecture starts.

Connect the clip microphone to the speaker in a way so that the mic "comes cleanly off the clothes", i.e. such that the mic doesn't rub against the clothing. Make sure that there isn't a name tag, long hair, jewelry that "clunks" against the mic.

When putting the mic on the speaker, the best place is on the tie. Otherwise on the lapel of a jacket, or onto the shirt. A third of the way down the shirt is a good position. Make sure that the mic clip is firmly attached, but the mic itself comes away from the clothing: sometimes (with movement) it can fall back against the clothing.

With the transmitter that should be placed safely out of the way. Either the trouser pocket or belt are both good positions. If your speaker is well animated make sure the transmitter will not come loose. Make sure the antenna can hang freely, and isn't about to be snapped off.

Ask your speaker to carry on talking, bearing in mind that they may speak more loudly during the talk. This allows you to listen through the headphones and watch the levels on both the receiver and recorder. Monitor the audio carefully and pay attention to any peaks in the sound. Be aware that if the speaker is going to be giving a lecture but they are speaking at a normal level before, they will adjust their own personal voice levels when it comes to the lecture.

3.5. Checking Quality and adjusting Audio levels

Before the lecture is under way, you have a good opportunity to check quality. If anything is wrong, you can still go back to the speaker and adjust things.

Make sure the REC STBY switch is on, you can tell as a green light should be on above the switch. You will also not be able to see levels of audio on the recorder as well if the switch is not on.

So listen to the speakers voice and check the quality of the sound. Does it come through the headphones clearly or is it muffled or can you hear "extraneous" sounds (see trouble shooting)?

Using the peak indicators on the front of the recorder and the levels shown on the recorder screen make sure it is peaking at -12 fairly regularly, although if the majority is lower than -12dB, you'll want to adjust the levels accordingly. To adjust the levels, use the recording level controls and the input controls on the front of the recorder. You do not want the mic peak indicators to turn red!

If the levels on the recorder LCD and microphone LCDs seem good, but still you are not hearing the sound either at all or not clearly, then either the headphones are turned down or the headphones are faulty. You can adjust the volume by altering the monitor control next to the input controls on the front of the recorder.

4. Recording the lecture

You should now be ready to record the event. You have plenty of space on the memory card, so there's no harm in starting the recording 10 minutes early. From experience: It's a common problem to miss the start of the event, and people may suddenly start to talk, while you weren't watching. So just start recording in good time.

Also: If there is somebody introducing the speaker, record this as well (even if you you don't have a mic on them). You can always cut it later. (Imagine the disappointment: Did you catch the introduction by (famous person)? - Ah sorry, the recorder wasn't running.) Of course without a 2nd mic, the sound may not be usable, but at least you've got it.

So when you are ready to record press the "record" button on the front of the recorder. You should see the light come on within the button and the time on the screen should start running. You will also notice a record symbol in the top right of the screen.

As mentioned above: Give enough pre-record time before the activity happens as you want enough pre-roll for the edit and if you do a test recording previously you will also be confident that either the recorder is working fine or you have enough time to sort the problem out!

Remember: What you hear in the headphones is what you hear on the recording so continously check the audio for any "outside" sound, buzzing or feedback. If you are recording on location and have the ability to start recording again listen out for unwanted sounds that are out of your control. i.e. trains going past, dogs barking.

During the Recording: Whilst recording it is advisable to do some checks to make sure the recording is working properly:

• Is the record light on display of the recorder solid?
• Is the time display ticking forward?
• Are the level meters still running and showing activity?
• Does it sound good? Is it clean sound?
• Is there enough space on the memory card?

5. Stopping Recording

Press "Stop" when you have finished recording. The REC STBY switch will also stop recording.

Don't press stop right at the end of the lecture, but leave the recording running through the Q&A session. The speaker might say a nice short clip that you can use as a sound bite.

Make sure you get the radio mic transmitter back from the speaker! Speakers can easily wonder off with your mic.

Also make sure that you've got an appropriate release form signed by the speaker. Just after the talk may be a good occasion to get this done.

Once you have finished recording make sure everything is turned off and packed away safely, making sure you have the whole kit - check against the kit list if necessary.

6. Transferring your recording to a computer

When you are ready to import your recording connect the USB cable to both your computer and the recorder. Once they are connected and your computer is on press the "menu" button. Scroll down using the "-" button until you get to USB Mode. Press "enter" then scroll down to USB DEVICE MODE. Press "enter" again and this will start importing. You will see the new USB connection on your computer either in the "finder" or for a PC in "My Computer". You can then drag your recordings into a suitable file or your desktop from there.

It's best to just copy the recording from the memory card to the computer, rather than moving it. Computers can crash, and you don't want to loose your recording. Generally speaking, you would only delete the raw recording from the memory card when you've got a backup on CD or DVD somewhere.

7. License

his document is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/Creative . Please acknowledge Björn Haßler (http://www.sciencemedianetwork.org), and Andrew Taylor. Original document written 29th November 2007.

Page last modified 19 June 2008.