Archive for the ‘Total Recorder – Low Cost Audio/Visual Software’ Category
Total Recorder – Low Cost Audio/Visual Software
Review date September 2008 by Andrew Downie
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Introduction
Total Recorder is audio recording software for use on the Windows operating system. It is inexpensive, relatively flexible and easy to operate. There are three levels; Standard, Professional and Developer. This review concentrates on Version 7 of the Professional Edition. For a comparison chart of features in the three levels, see http://www.totalrecorder.com/features.htm.
User Interface
total recorder screen shot, showing top menu, audio file information and various buttons
One major attraction of Total Recorder is its ease of use. This is especially true when undertaking basic recording, playback and editing. It meets the needs of a broad range of users by allowing control via the mouse, menus or keyboard shortcuts. In-built documentation is also very thorough. One particularly convenient feature is the facility for setting up recording source and parameters to meet specific situations. Any number of different recording sources can be established, including the file format to be used, and can be selected quickly. For example, a configuration for recording via microphone into a monaural MP3 file and another for recording via line into a stereo wave file may be created. If the host computer has multiple sound cards, different cards can be selected for varying circumstances. Among sound source choices is the Total Recorder software driver, discussed further below.
A segment of a file is edited by putting place markers at its beginning and end. These markers can be moved by increments of 0.1 of a second. Especially when used in conjunction with the “boundary click suppression” feature, this level of precision is satisfactory for many situations. While a segment can be copied, cut and pasted, the level (volume) cannot be adjusted unless processed in a separate file. A fade in/out effect can, however, be applied to a segment.
File Formats
Total Recorder supports a wide variety of both formats and attributes. More well known formats include MP3, several variations of Windows Media Audio, PCM (wave) and Ogg Vorbas. A file of suitable format and quality for a given situation, ranging from speech only to high quality music, can therefore be chosen. Capacity to handle such varied file types also means that Total Recorder can be used to convert from one format to another.
Features
A very unusual feature of Total Recorder is its ability to record in a software mode through its audio driver, rather than from a sound card. Benefits include being able to copy directly from other applications such as Windows Media Player, including at high speed. This mode also allows recording of internet-based telecommunication through such programs as Skype. These recordings can be monaural or stereo, the latter putting each speaker to a separate channel. It is also possible to record streaming audio from the internet.
It is also possible to schedule recordings, either for one occasion or on a daily or weekly basis. When scheduling a recording, Total Recorder can be instructed to bring the host computer out of hibernation at the start of the session and/or at the completion of the recording return it to that state or shut it down. With these features and the inclusion of the Video Add-on discussed below, the product effectively becomes a very accessible video recorder.
Other significant features include:
- A file can be split into multiple files according to a wide range of parameters, the most simple being a nominated duration
- A file can be segmented into tracks by use of the cue-sheet editor (the information is saved in a separate text file)
- Prerecording mode buffers up to a predetermined period and when recording is activated, the material in the buffer is included in the recording – avoids missing the beginning of a desired passage
- A file can be played back while recording takes place – playback can be stopped and started and segments of the recording can be skipped
- Recording can be paused during silence or periods of silence can be removed subsequently
The pause reduction feature deserves further comment. Both the level of background noise and the length of silence can be adjusted. For example, a person dictating material can say nothing for lengthy periods without having to manually pause the recording and gaps will not occur in the recording. Another application is when recording a lecture or meeting. If silences occur, these can be removed, making the recording a much more effective resource. In lecture situations, where background sound may vary considerably, it will sometimes be safer to save the file prior to removing pauses.
Add-Ons
Several add-ons are available for Total Recorder. These are utilities that add functionality to the basic program. Some are free, while others attract an additional fee. Some examples are described here and prices of all that attract a fee are listed below.
Digital Mixer
This is a free add-on. As the name suggests, it allows mixing of sound sources. This can be done by pasting one sound source over another, with the ability to adjust relative levels of each source. Another option is to record over an existing recording. Unfortunately, it is not possible to monitor the original sound while doing this.
AGC and Speech Enhancement Add-On
AGC stands for automatic gain control. Buying this add-on essentially doubles the cost of Total Recorder. But it can transform a recording with poorly adjusted levels into a very clear and consistent one quickly and easily. Ten preset adjustments are supplied and these can be altered to meet individual needs. One setting removes background noise. While this may lead to some alteration of voice sounds, it can convert a recording with unacceptably high background noise into one that is usable.
The AGC Enhancement effects can be applied during recording. However, a safer option will often be to apply them afterwards. In that case, various effects can be assessed before the chosen one is applied. For people wanting to make recordings quickly and easily that are clear and strong, this add-on is a very effective tool.
Video Capture Add-On
This add-on has not been trialed. However, information on the website indicates that it turns Total Recorder into a video recorder and editor. Video can be recorded from a variety of sources including via the internet, TV tuner, a webcam or video camera and from the computer screen. AVI and WMV files can be processed. When editing video, an audio track can be added or replaced.
Judging from the description, the Video Capture Add-on offers an inexpensive way of obtaining an effective video recorder and editor. While it must lack the sophistication of more specialised software, it promises to be an effective tool. Of particular relevance in this context is Total Recorder’s extensive scheduling facilities mentioned above.
Some Alternatives
Dictation Buddy
It is produced by the same company as Total Recorder and shares a number of features. As the name suggests, though, it is more focused on dictation of material and subsequent transcription. It includes a variable playback mode with pitch correction and can be operated with a foot pedal. Automatic gain control is also included. Among the wide variety of supported file formats are wav and WMA. MP3 files can be played, but recording in that format is not possible without installation of a separate encoder.
Audacity
This is free audio recording software for Windows, Macintosh and Linux operating systems. It offers many features, including multi-track recording. It has not yet been extensively tested, but basic operation is straight forward. Its multi-track process seems to make it not well suited to stop-start recording, as each time recording starts a new track is created. It is also necessary to install a separate encoder in order to save material in MP3 format.
GoldWave
This software has not been fully assessed, but initial impressions are positive. It offers quite extensive editing and sound manipulation facilities including volume adjustment, reverberation, pitch adjustment and Doppler effects. For editing, sound manipulation and special effects, then, it has much to offer. While it provides some keyboard access, it is necessary to go into Options to discover combinations for the various commands.
Prices and Specifications
Total Recorder
| Manufacturer | High Criteria Inc http://www.highcriteria.com |
|---|---|
| System Requirements | A computer equipped with a sound card and running Microsoft Windows 98SE, ME (Millennium Edition), 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Vista. |
| Total Recorder Prices |
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| Add-ons prices |
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| Free add-ons |
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Dictation Buddy
| Manufacturer | High Criteria Inc http://www.highcriteria.com |
|---|---|
| System requirements | A computer equipped with a sound card and running Microsoft Windows 98SE, ME (Millennium Edition), 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Vista. |
| Cost | US$49.95 |
Audacity
| Producer | A team of volunteer developers around the world |
|---|---|
| Supplier | http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ |
| System requirements | Microsoft Windows 98 or later; Macintosh OS X; GNU/Linux |
| Cost | Free |
GoldWave
| Producer | GoldWave Inc www.goldwave.com |
|---|---|
| System requirements | Minimally, a 500MHz Pentium III (or compatible) computer with 128MB of RAM, 20MB of disk space, a sound card and a mouse. |
| Cost | US$45 |
