Microgrants/Recorder for voice intro project

Objective

To purchase professional-quality digital audio recoding equipment, to capture the voices of Wikipedia subjects, as part of the Voice Intro Project (about which I spoke at the recent conference); and for other audio recording as required.

Goals

To record the spoken voices of Wikipedia subjects.

Resources

Zoom H1 Portable Digital Recorder, Version 2.0 79.00

Zoom APH1 H1 Accessory Pack = 56.45

Additional windshields 3.49

second, larger memory card 8.95

Total £147.89 (Prices in GBP from Amazon; free delivery. Please allow for minor fluctuation as is that services' wont).

Constraints

N/A

Outcomes

Aim to record 50 subjects in the first year.

Risks

Subjects not agreeing to face-to-face meetings.

Additional detail

I have been advised that this is the best "bang for the buck" digital audio equipment for the task, by a friend who has professional experience in recording online audio. He has offered to train me, free, in its use, at no cost. I would of course be willing to cascade that training.

Once I have this equipment, I shall approach local theatres, sports clubs (league football, cricket, athletics etc.) and television/ radio broadcasters, etc., via their press officers, to grant me brief access to celebrities and other notable subjects, in order to record short samples of their spoken voices, to "illustrate" their biographies - and of course be available to all under an open licence. I have contacts and bona fides for such work through my experience as a music author and journalist.

I will also look to travelling outside my home region, to make recordings, either as part of my own travels, or by requesting expenses in advance (please indicate if these should be part of this application instead).

I have demonstrated my experience and interest in audio recording both by live-streaming a WMUK board meeting, and starting the Voice Intro Project, which already has around 40 files on Commons.

When not, or no longer, being used for the Voice Intro Project, the recorder would be available for other WikimediaUK activities.

My use of this equipment would be in accordance with all WikimediaUK polices and procedures. Andy Mabbett (User:Pigsonthewing); Andy's talk; Andy's edits 18:26, 18 July 2013 (UTC)

Hi Andy, thank you for your application. Following the recent board meeting, grants application are now reviewed by a small panel. We'll consider your application and will let you know if we have any questions. Regards -- Katie Chan (WMUK) (talk) 14:21, 19 July 2013 (UTC)

Thank you. Other than the minutes, is there a wiki page or other documentation on this panel? Who sits on it (the minutes give initials, but don't expand all of them). Is there a timescale? Andy Mabbett (User:Pigsonthewing); Andy's talk; Andy's edits 15:29, 27 July 2013 (UTC)

Richard S created Grants Committee, which I will be expanding on. For the purpose of this application, the 3 people listed on the page will be reviewing. We'll get you a decision soon. -- Katie Chan (WMUK) (talk) 17:56, 27 July 2013 (UTC)

Hi Andy, the grants review panel is recommending that your application be approved. Richard S will sort out purchasing the equipment and posting it to you or reimbursing you the cost. -- Katie Chan (WMUK) (talk) 13:53, 2 August 2013 (UTC)

That's great, thank you. I promise not to sing into it! Andy Mabbett (User:Pigsonthewing); Andy's talk; Andy's edits 17:45, 2 August 2013 (UTC)

Report

The device has proved useful, and the files it records are of much higher quality than those from my mobile phone. I use "Audacity" to process and convert the files. Sadly, both theatres and sports clubs proved reluctant to give access to their "celebrities". However, Birmingham City University have kindly brokered introductions to several of their guest lecturers, and provided a quiet room for recording them. This has led to contributions from such luminaries as Adil Ray ("Citizen Khan") and Ken Scott (record producer on David Bowie's "Life on Mars" and Ziggy Stardust. I have also made some ambient recordings, incuding a few from my visit to Chicago. All the files are in Commons:Category:Files generated with WMUK Zoom H1 I have a few more files awaiting upload and plans for making more in the coming year. Andy Mabbett (User:Pigsonthewing); Andy's talk; Andy's edits 15:59, 16 December 2014 (GMT)