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The Library has equipment for you to check out, free of charge. You can borrow anything for three days and can grab multiple items, including DSLR cameras, camcorders, GoPro cameras, tripods, digital audio recorders, microphones and more. Ask for any of these items at the check out desk on the first floor.
During the pandemic we will continue to send out Digital Media Equipment. Due to the complexities of checking out and shipping audio/visual recording equipment, we will likely need to contact you for more information, so please watch for any emails from us. To start a request, fill out and submit the Digital Media Equipment Request form (button below) using your HSU login.
If you have any questions about equipment, or other aspects of a digital project, we'd are happy to help! Contact us (the Digital Media Lab) at dml@humboldt.edu. You can also make equipment requests directly by email.
View the links on the left (top on mobile) to see what equipment is available to borrow by project type.
People who are in the area can pick up and return digital media equipment (and other library materials) at the library checkout desk. Currently, the library checkout desk is in the lower level of the library as we wrap up construction. To see how to get to the lower level checkout desk, see the map below.
If you do not live in the area, we will contact you about shipping options when you submit your request. Some items cannot be shipped (in order to avoid breakage).
This mic mounts directly to our DSLR cameras (Canon T6i and Nikon D3200). The RØDE VideoMic is a vast improvement over the DSLR built-in mics and is a directional mic that includes a high-pass filter to remove unwanted background noise.
The mic itself is very simple but there are a few things you need to get going:
Need to capture high-quality sound for your video project? Looking to record nature sounds for your audio PSA project? The Audio-Technica A875R shotgun mic will do the trick.
The mic itself is very simple (there isn't even an on/off switch!) but there are a few things you need to get going:
The Blue Yeti USB condenser mic is a great multi-purpose mic. Recording a podcast? Narrating a video? Conducting an interview? Need good quality sound for Zoom? With switchable pattern selecting, the Blue Yeti Condenser Mic is a very easy-to-use plug & play mic for a variety of projects.
The mic itself is very simple (there isn't even an on/off switch!) and is set up for digital recording, so there isn't a whole lot to do:
The Snowball USB mic is great for the desktop- recording your voice for a podcast or capturing a group for a Skype session. Setting it up is extremely easy- simply plug it into the computer and go! This mic is digital and is powered by the USB.
The mic itself is very simple (there isn't even an on/off switch!) and is set up for digital recording, so there isn't a whole lot to do:
This lavalier microphone works with smartphones and tablets and will help you capture high quality audio for interviews. The mic is setup to work with smartphones- just plug it in and start talking. This mic will NOT work with the cameras or digital recorders.
This mic is simple- plug it into your phone or tablet and start using it. It will NOT work with other types of devices.
Lavalier mics are fairly simple but placement can be very important. This short video covers the topic well:
The Zoom H1n digital recorder allows you to capture quality audio easily. If you don’t have a smartphone (or any room to add apps or files!) this is a great way to record. You can use the included USB cable to connect it to a computer or iOS device to use it as a microphone with any audio or video editing/recording software. Overdubbing capabilities make this a great option for recording music!
The recorder is great for interviews or for capturing high quality audio for your video projects. You can mount the recorder to a tripod using the threaded mount on the back of the recorder. To power on, slide the switch on the right-hand side down and hold for 2-3 seconds. Hit the record button to stop/start recording (the light will turn on while recording). Use the buttons below the LCD screen to control playback.
It's also easy to export your audio tracks. Simply connect via the included USB cable or eject the Micro SD card. Instructions for using the USB cable to export recordings:
The included Micro SD card (2GB minimum) should provide at least 2-3 hours of recording. You may want a backup SD card and/or batteries (2 x AAA) if you have a very long project.
For a quick demonstration, including an example of the difference in sound quality compared with a phone, this video featuring Tina Guo, shows how to do a simple recording.
This digital recorder is a great option for capturing high quality audio. The quality x-y stereo microphones are great for capturing interviews as well as a variety of sounds. Your projects are instantly saved to the removable SD card and can be downloaded via the included USB cable or by inserting the SD card into your device.
The recorder is great for interviews or for capturing high quality audio for your video projects. You can mount the recorder to a tripod using the threaded mount. To power on, slide the switch on the right-hand side down and hold for 2-3 seconds. Hit the record button to stop/start recording and use the buttons on the right side to control playback.
It's also easy to export your audio tracks. Simply connect via the included USB cable or eject the Micro SD card.
The included Micro SD card (2GB minimum) should provide at least 2-3 hours of recording. Get a backup battery (AA) if you want to ensure your recording is uninterrupted.
If you are looking for more in-depth tutorials on creating projects, we have some Online SkillShops that cover the complete process. You will also earn a badge for each SkillShop you complete!
