* For additional recording tips see the Recording and Editing Workflow section of this Libguide.
We recommmend recording remote interview using two methods:
- Asking your subject to record themselves on their phone
- Record a video or audio interview with Zoom
This method assumes that your subject has access to the internet and two separate devices, a smartphone and either a tablet or home computer. If your subject only has access to one device, we recommend simply conducting and recording a video or audio interview through Zoom. If your subject does not have access to the internet we recommend downloading a recording app that can record your phone call live (Android l Apple). These applications usually require some type of subscription or payment to access the files or enable longer recording times.
To record your interview via Zoom:
- Instruct your subject to download Zoom on their home computer or tablet. They can setup a free account with their personal email address.
- Login using your Tufts credentials.
- Send your subject the link to your Zoom meeting room. Zoom has a comprehensive set of guides for inviting and joining meeting rooms. If your subject does not have familiarity with Zoom, guiding them through the process of joining a meeting is a good idea.
- Make sure in Preferences > Recording you select Record a separate audio file for each participant
- Record your interview. When selecting where to save, save the file to your computer. Simultaneously, ask that your subject commence recording themselves using an audio recording app on their phone (see below). This will ensure that you have a backup file should the internet connection weaken.
- If one party has an unstable internet connection, do not share video. Record audio only.
- If you've never recorded a Zoom meeting before test this part of the process with a friend or colleague!
- Every 20 minutes take a break. Have your subject stop recording on their phone and save and label the file.
- Once you are finished with the interview, stop your Zoom recording. You can use the resulting mp4 to edit the video and audio files in an editing application or extract the audio if working on an audio project.
- Ask your subject to share their audio recordings from their phone with you via email or a cloud based storage app like Dropbox or Googledrive.
Recording on a Smartphone:
You will need to review properly setting up, recording and share audio files with your subject prior to your interview.
- Identify the app your subject has free and easy access to.
- Research what settings (see below) they can adjust using that app.
- Walk your subject through settings, recording techniques (see below), recording, labeling and sharing process.
- Test test test! Have your subject send you a test file so you can make sure their setup is optimal.
- Have your subject begin recording at the beginning of your interview.
- Take breaks every twenty minutes and have your subject save and label the file.
- At the end of the interview, ask your subject to share the audio recordings with you via email or a cloud based storage app like Dropbox or Googledrive.