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If the mic isn't already attached, attach the clip microphone to the transmitter: The mic plugs in at the top, and there is a screw to secure it.

Turn both transmitter and receiver on by pressing the on/off button, which is situated underneath the flap for the battery compartment. The flap lifts by squeezing either side to release it.

Have a look at the picture above, and do this check:

• On both transmitter and receiver: Has the display lit up, and are both powerlights showing?
• On the receiver the RF light (green) should be on, and and the upper black bar on the screen should be on full (indicating full radio reception).
• When you talk into the mic, do the level indicators (on both the transmitter and receiver) flicker?
• Now mute the transmitter, and look at the receiver: Has the "radio reception bar" fallen to zero? If not, change frequency, see 'trouble shooting' below.

There are usually several stages that control audio levels, and two of those stages are on the radio mic set.

• The mic/transmitter has a sensitivity setting. Locate the sensitiy setting in the menu, and explore different settings. With the sensitivity set to say -6dB, you'll find it quite easy to distort mic signal (the yellow led on the front will flash). A good, conservative setting is -20dB.
• The receiver has the 'AF out' setting, which determines the power delivered to the recorder. This can range from -12dB (mic level) to +12dB (line level). Again you should explore this, and see how it affects the input stage of the recorder (see below). Many recorder expect a mic level, so it's safer to set the 'AF out' level to -12dB (mic level).

• No sound. Make sure both the transmitter and the receiver are on the same wave length in order for them to be able to pick each other up. Check the 'sound chain':
  • Is level meter on the transmitter flickering when you speak into the mic? If not, check that it's turned on, and not on mute, and that the mic is properly connected?
  • Is the level meter on the receiver flickering? If not, check radio reception.
  • Is the level meter on the recorder flickering? If not, check the cables are connected properly.
  • All of these are working, but you don't hear anything? Check the volume control for the headphones.
• Strange sounds / other people speaking.
  • Do this test: try turning the transmitter off, if the green light on the receiver stays on and the black bar showing the radio reception is still full, someone nearby may be using the same frequency.
  • If the wave length is already used (e.g. if you can hear other sounds, or the "radio reception bar" doesn't fall to zero when you turn of the transmitter), you need to change the frequency (on both transmitter and receiver). You must never have two microphones transmitting on the same frequency. (Two receivers receiving signals from the same microphone is ok though.)

Mobile phones on the person connected to the mic must be turned off otherwise they will interfere.

Attaching the mic

Ideally you want to do this at least 15 minutes before the lecture starts.

Connect the clip microphone to the speaker in a way so that the mic "comes cleanly off the clothes", i.e. such that the mic doesn't rub against the clothing. Make sure that there isn't a name tag, long hair, jewelry that "clunks" against the mic.

When putting the mic on the speaker, the best place is on the tie. Otherwise on the lapel of a jacket, or onto the shirt. A third of the way down the shirt is a good position. Make sure that the mic clip is firmly attached, but the mic itself comes away from the clothing: sometimes (with movement) it can fall back against the clothing.

With the transmitter that should be placed safely out of the way. Either the trouser pocket or belt are both good positions. If your speaker is well animated make sure the transmitter will not come loose. Make sure the antenna can hang freely, and isn't about to be snapped off.

Ask your speaker to carry on talking, bearing in mind that they may speak more loudly during the talk. This allows you to listen through the headphones and watch the levels on both the receiver and recorder. Monitor the audio carefully and pay attention to any peaks in the sound. Be aware that if the speaker is going to be giving a lecture but they are speaking at a normal level before, they will adjust their own personal voice levels when it comes to the lecture.

You should now be ready to record the event. You have plenty of space on the memory card, so there's no harm in starting the recording 10 minutes early. From experience: It's a common problem to miss the start of the event, and people may suddenly start to talk, while you weren't watching. So just start recording in good time.

Also: If there is somebody introducing the speaker, record this as well (even if you you don't have a mic on them). You can always cut it later. (Imagine the disappointment: Did you catch the introduction by (famous person)? - Ah sorry, the recorder wasn't running.) Of course without a 2nd mic, the sound may not be usable, but at least you've got it.

As mentioned above: Give enough pre-record time before the activity happens as you want enough pre-roll for the edit and if you do a test recording previously you will also be confident that either the recorder is working fine or you have enough time to sort the problem out!

Remember: What you hear in the headphones is what you hear on the recording so continously check the audio for any "outside" sound, buzzing or feedback. If you are recording on location and have the ability to start recording again listen out for unwanted sounds that are out of your control. i.e. trains going past, dogs barking.

During the Recording: Whilst recording it is advisable to do some checks to make sure the recording is working properly:

• Is the record light on display of the recorder solid?
• Is the time display ticking forward?
• Are the level meters still running and showing activity?
• Does it sound good? Is it clean sound?
• Is there enough space on the memory card?