Welcome to the Southern Foodways Alliance -- an institute
of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture with headquarters at the
University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi.
The Southern Foodways Alliance documents and celebrates the diverse food cultures of the American South. We set a common table where black and white, rich and poor -- all who gather-- may consider our history and our future in a spirit of reconciliation.
SFA Oral History Initiative
Equipment
Tape recorders or MiniDisc recorders are normally used to
record oral history interviews in audio form. The key to a successful
recording session is to be comfortable with your equipment, so be sure
to practice using everything before the actual interview.
TAPE RECORDER:
If using a tape recorder, interviewers should be careful to avoid voice-activated
recorders because they often cut off the first part of spoken words. High
quality sixty or ninety minute tapes are best, and -- if possible -- recorders
should be set to the Type II (chromium oxide) tape setting. Interviews,
when possible, should be conducted in places where an electrical outlet
is available. If no outlet is available and batteries must be used, interviewers
should always have a spare set of batteries for equipment. Also, it is
best to use an external microphone, if one is available.
MiniDisc RECORDER:
A MiniDisc recorder doesn't have an "on/off" button; it turns on when
any button is pushed. To be sure you are not recording over any previous
tracks when starting another session, power-up the MiniDisc recorder by
pushing the "End Search" button.
Interviews, when possible, should be conducted in places
where an electrical outlet is available. If no outlet is available and
batteries must be used, interviewers should always have a spare set of
batteries for equipment. When recording with a MiniDisc, you must use
an external microphone.
RECORDING TIPS
Always test your equipment before the interview!
It is best to always use a power cord over batteries.
Keep in mind that you might need an extension cord. Still have batteries
on-hand for back-up.
Always bring extra batteries and tapes/discs.
Open the packages and adhere the blank labels to the tapes or discs
before the interview. Be prepared.
Always wear headphones when recording. If something
sounds wrong through the headphones, something is wrong with the audio.
Be aware of background noise. Conduct the interview
in a quiet room with no distractions.
Make sure the microphone is close enough to the
interview subject to capture the audio.
Be aware the time you will need to turn over a
tape or start a new disc. Start new tapes (or new sides) by saying
the person's name, date and side/tape number.
Always write-protect your tapes or discs after
you finish an interview. On audio cassettes, remove the plastic tabs
from the tape to avoid accidental erasures.
Label and number your tapes or discs immediately
after the interview.
Make two (2) duplicate copies of the interview.
The original recording should be labeled MASTER; the copies should
be labeled DUPLICATE.
