• What is Freedom Fone?
• Our story
• What does Freedom Fone do?
• Real World Examples
• Equal Access
• Farm Radio International
• LIRNEAsia Crisis Response
• Kubatana Audio Drama
• Community Radio Harare
• Other Possible Scenarios
• Vaccination campaign
• Supporting women's rights
• Enhancing business opportunities
• Recording Oral Histories
• Election monitoring
• At the radio station
• Creating your Freedom Fone Service
• Introduction
• Equipment
• Know your audience
• Choose your information sources
• Design your service
• Create voice menus
• Organise your staff
• Advertise your service
• Monitor and evaluate
• Setting Up
• Logging in
• Incoming SMS
• Polls
• Leave a message (LAM)
• Voice menus
• Security
• Statistics
• User management
• Phone books
• Callers
• Version 2S7 & 2S8 update
• Version 2S7 & 2S8 Overview
• The SMS Centre
• Improved Hardware management
• OfficeRoute SIP security options
• Reporting – Graphics reporting tool
• Technical Stuff
• Technical requirements
• Installing the software
• Preparing SIM cards
• Connecting OfficeRoute
• Connecting Huawei dongles
• Connecting MobiGater
• Testing your set up
• Localise user interface
• Troubleshooting
• Installation
• GSM devices
• Problems with Voice menus
• Networking
• Other Problems
• Audio Cookbook
• Working with Audio and Freedom Fone
• Script Writing
• Presentation Tips
• Vox Pop
• News Summary
• Explanatory Report
• Micro Audio Drama
• Working with Voice Messages
• The DIY Studio
• Recording Equipment
• Recording Techniques
• Audio Editing with Audacity
• Audio Editing with Hindenburg
• Useful Links
• Getting Help
• Support
• FAQs
• Appendices
• About mobile phone security
• About Free Software
• About this book
• Glossary

Recording Equipment

The field recorder

• Keep your equipment clean, dry and safe.
• Know your equipment: make test recordings, check the settings, rehearse interviews and recordings
• Use an external microphone (if available)
• Always use headphones to check the sound quality when recording 

Recording settings

• Mono
• WAV 44.1 PCM (frequency rate = 44.100 Hz). If only mp3 is available, the bitrate should be 192 kbps.
• Switch off automatic gain control (AGC), but use the limiter if you can switch it on separately.
• Switch on the Low Cut or High Pass (HP) option on your device. This will cut out disturbing low frequencies like pop sounds or footsteps.
• Use your eyes and your ears to check the recording:

1. The recording level meter will inform you about the overall level.
2. The headphones will inform you about the sound quality; the balance between background and foreground disturbances/noise.

• Find the appropriate recording level by prerecording rehearsals in the same setting or surroundings in which the final recording will occur. Make sure to let the interviewee talk into the microphone whilst you can check the level, before recording the interview.
• When using an internal microphone, use the cardioid characteristic (if available).
• Always take spare batteries with you.