Digital Sound Recorder
Good sound is integral to multimedia stories. You will need a good digital recorder and the one I recommend is the Zoom H1 (http://bit.ly/PIEzxP ). Robert’s imaging in Indianapolis carries it for $99.99 and usually has it in stock. You will need a windscreen and the one I recommend is RedHead (http://bit.ly/S32wEi ) for about $35. It is very handy to have an external microphone and an inexpensive one that is quite serviceable is the Audio-Technica ATR 3350 (http://amzn.to/Pa9UXQ ) for $22.
Will other recorders work? Sure. When I first got into this, I used a small Olympus pocket dictator. However, those cost as much as a Zoom H1 and did not have manual record level, which is desirable. The iPhone works well as a recorder but some adapter cables are necessary and a recording app. By the time you get what you need, you will be close to the price of a Zoom H1 and still won’t have manual record levels. But the auto level of the iPhone is good. All things considered I still recommend the Zoom H1 as an inexpensive but professional quality recording tool.
You can’t ski without skiis and you can’t do multimedia without a sound recorder. Just make sure whatever you use produces files that can be edited with Audacity.
Software
Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net ) is the software we use for sound editing. It is open source and multi-platform so that means your youth students can get it for free for both Mac and Windows.
We use Soundslides ( http://soundslides.com ) to produce a web ready story with the soundtrack produced by Audacity synchronized with pictures. There are two versions of Soundslides and you need the pro version for conducting a Level One workshop for youth. This version is $69.95. If you are not ready to buy it, simply download the demo version. It is fully functional except when you play your story, a demo label floats on the first slide or two.
Computer
If you have a laptop, bring it to the workshop already loaded with Audacity and at least the demo version of Soundslides. It would also be useful if, prior to the workshop, you worked through some tutorials on Audacity found on their website.
Following the brief exercises at the workshop, you will have a week to get familiar with the software before using it to produce a story.
If you don’t have a laptop but have a computer at home, you will still be able to observe the basic techniques at the workshop and do them at home.
The techniques are not difficult and you should be able to continue to learn on your own.
Questions? Email me.