Best Practices for Capturing High Quality Audio in Panopto
The most important thing to consider when your class is being recorded is the quality of the audio. Always try to project your voice, speaking as if you want to be heard by someone on the opposite end of the room. You should also consider the placement of the microphones in the classroom.
Every classroom is equipped with a forward-facing ceiling microphone. Some classrooms, such as McDonough 200, are equipped with a podium microphone. Making sure that you are standing still under a ceiling mic or in front of a podium mic will ensure that you will be heard in the recording.
Ceiling Mic:
Lectern Mic:
If you prefer to walk around as you lecture, it is encouraged that you use a lavalier microphone. Every classroom has a clip-on lavalier mic placed near the PC. The microphone should be clipped near your chest and pointed towards your face. The attached transmitter pack can be placed in a pocket, hitched on a belt, or carried. The transmitter pack can be turned on by opening the battery compartment with the latches on either side, then flipping the switch found inside. An LED light will indicate that the device is on. There is a switch on top of the transmitter that you can use to quickly mute or unmute the device as needed.
Lav Mic w/ Switch:
There are smaller ceiling mics placed around each room to capture student questions, but they are not very effective unless the student speaks up and projects their voice. It helps to encourage your students to speak up if they are soft spoken. The best way to ensure student questions are heard is to repeat each question before answering. If your class is in McDonough 200, your students can speak into the microphones at their desks. Each desk mic in McD 200 has a grey power button at its base and an LED light to indicate that it is on. Please make sure the microphone is then turned off after speaking.
Student Ceiling Mics:
Desk Mics (McD 200 ONLY):
