The Value of High Quality Sound Recording in Research

A few weeks ago I discussed the use of iPods for field audio recordings.  While convenient, iPods are not know for the quality of recordings, especially with respect to the relatively inexpensive third-party microphones available for the iPod.

Audio recording can be more than just a means of documenting what was said in an interview.  It can provide high fidelity reproduction of an environment effective for communicating a situation or developing a solution. 

For those interested in higher quality recordings, there are a range of options and a corresponding range of costs.  A balanced solution is a product like the Samson Zoom H2.  At just under $200, this compact digital recording device enables high-quality stereo recording through the use of not two, but for microphones.  You can read more about the value of having four spatially displaced microphones on Samson's site, but in my opinion there are at least three potential benefits to recording in high quality stereo:

1. Better Resolution for Analysis:  Spatial separation of sound typically improves speech legibility in noisy environments (e.g. background noise, multiple speakers).  This not only helps you understand what someone is saying, but can you help differentiate among multiple speakers by their spatial position.
2. More Compelling Presentations: Rather than presenting feedback or quotes via text, an audience is more likely to be affected by hearing a direct recording of the speaker (e.g. the user, customer,etc).  Providing that sample in the context of the actual sound environment can present the issue more clearly. For example, a call-center operator who is trying to do his or her job while loud conversations are going on on either side of the operator's workstation.
3. More Realistic Recordings for Design Simulation:  It is often useful to have accurate sound recordings of an environment in order to successfully design for that situation.  For example, medical device alarms need to "compete" with ambient hospital background sounds including those of other, critical medical devices.  A high quality stereo recording can recreate that environment for design and testing purposes.

With the relative quality of sound becoming less important to most consumers who are used to MP3 and cell phone quality audio, the use of affordable, high quality recording and playback technology is a welcome return.

-Rob Tannen