Learn more about how the Cal Poly Humboldt Library can help
support your research and learning needs.
Stay updated at Campus Ready.
The Cal Poly Humboldt Library has equipment for you to check out for free! 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. You can ask for any of these items at the Checkout desk on the first floor.
If you have any questions about equipment, or other aspects of a digital project, we are happy to help! Contact us (the Makerspace) at makerspace@humboldt.edu.
The Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Gen) is the perfect pairing for any analog mic or instrument that you want to connect to your recording software on a computer. Plug in a guitar, keyboard, or analog microphone and record straight to your favorite DAW or audio editing software. Campus computers have Audacity installed and you can also access GarageBand on Apple computers or Adobe Audition by signing up for an account through Cal Poly Humboldt (campus computers) or installing Adobe Creative Cloud on your personal computer. All of these options are free and there are many wonderful digital audio workstations (DAWs) that you can try out with free trials before finding what's right for you.
This audio interface is a great way to use any of our analog mics (like the AT875R boom mic or the Shure SM57) with your computer. All you need is the mic and a cable to connect it to the Scarlett.
Getting the Scarlett set up with your own computer will be different depending on the computer you have and the software you're using. We recommend looking at the Scarlett YouTube instruction playlist to find the right instructions for you. If you're having trouble, we can help you troubleshoot, just email us at makerspace@humboldt.edu.
This Squier Telecaster is based on the first mass-produced electric guitar and is a solid choice for many guitar applications from rock to country and even jazz. This entry-level guitar is simple but has pretty everything you need. It comes with an instrument cable, tuner, and picks. Borrow the Spark Go amp and you'll have a set up to start making music right away!
The included tuner has a spring-loaded clamp to attach it to the headstock (where the Squier logo is). Turn on the tuner and select the 'G' option (for guitar) and pluck a string to see the note it is tuned to. Turn the machinehead to tune up or down (Fender video: How to Tune an Electric Guitar for Beginners). Standard guitar tuning is E A D G B E, from lowest to highest pitch string. If you are going to change the tuning to a non-standard tuning and change any of the guitar setup, please set it up and tune it back to standard before returning.
Borrow the Spark Go or Scarlett 2i2 to connect this guitar to a computer for your next recording (Spark Go audio interface instructions).
The three-way pickup selector switch lets you choose from the bridge pickup (all the way to the right), both (middle position) and neck pickup (all the way to the left). The bridge pickup is often called the 'treble' pickup because the sound will be brighter and have less low-end. The neck pickup is often called the 'bass' pickup and will have a warmer, bassy sound that is associated with jazz and R&B.
The knob closest to the pickup selector is the volume knob. The other knob is the tone knob and operates as a low pass filter -- it cuts the higher, treble, frequencies to provide a smoother, warmer sound. Try it out and you'll get the idea quickly enough.
This guitar is set up for standard tuning (EADGBE) and no advanced setup adjustments should be necessary for normal use. Basic setup, like tuning, and connecting to an amp, are good skills to learn and Fender's How To Set Up Your Guitar & Equipment is a great guide. More advanced setups that require the use of tools should only be done by people with that knowledge and those skills.
Some alternate tunings may cause setup issues, like strings rattling. If you are knowledgeable about guitar setup, you may use the provided tools to make the appropriate adjustments, as long as you return the guitar set up for standard tuning. If you are unfamiliar with guitar setup, please do not make any adjustments. Please ask us for help and let us know if there are any issues! We are happy to help and do not want to have to charge you for damage.
The Spark Go is a tiny but feature-packed amp that can also be used as an audio interface for recording. The four basic amp models pre-loaded on the amp get you from cleans to high-gain and if you want something different, you can download the app to customize your settings. Borrow our Squier Telecaster or plug in your own pickup-equipped guitar and start shredding!
This portable amp has a built-in battery and can be powered from the USB C port. Turn on the amp with the power button (right side above the USB port) and plug in a guitar and start strumming. The volume knob is the huge gold knob that surrounds the input jack. You can choose from the preset amp models by pressing the small gold button on the top of the amp. The four indicator lights show which model is selected. Note that some models will be quieter than others, so you will need to adjust the volume level accordingly.
You can download the Spark Go app to customize the amp model options.
You can also use the Spark Go as an audio interface for recording to your computer. To connect to a computer, turn off the Spark Go, plug the USB cable into the computer and then power on the amp. In the software you’re using, select the Spark Go as the recording/playback device.
If you’re looking to level up your podcast or voiceover projects, this USB mic is what you’re looking for. With the included cables, it works with computers, tablets, and phones. The quality is higher than our other USB mics because of the built-in analog compressor. This super small mic is great for packing on trips and can be held like a stick mic for recording directly to a phone a tablet while doing interviews – similar to a digital recorder, but records directly to your device.
The mic is set up to work with most any device. Use the correct USB cable (the standard A-type, USB C, and an Apple lightning cables are included). Your device should automatically recognize the mic and most phones and tablets will work seamlessly. However, you will want to ensure that your computer's software recognizes the mic and is using it as the input device. When monitoring your audio and playback through the mic, you will also want to be sure that your software is using the mic as the output device.
The big knob is how you set your gain level -- this is how much signal you're picking up with the mic. Start recording a test and turn it up as high as you can without letting the lights go red.
The knob is also a button for controlling the "Hype Mode" or compression options.
The built-in compression settings can really improve your quality and save you some time with editing. Compression is a process that helps to even out the level of the quiet sounds with the loud sounds. It's great when you have two people talking and one is closer to the mic and is louder than the other. However, you do not always need compression. Recording nature sounds at the Arcata Marsh should have very little compression -- the louder sounds of the birds closer to the mic and the quieter sounds of the distant waves help to create a depth to your soundscape.
The HypeMiC has three built-in options for compression that you can access by pressing the knob button (the LED lights will turn purple to indicate which option you are in).Play around with a test recording to see how these options sound to you.
The button above the knob controls the blend control. Start recording a test to go through these options. There are five settings, ranging from only hearing what the mic is picking up, to only hearing the audio playback. The LED will show white dots from the left (only monitor) to right (only playback). When only the middle dot is white, the playback and monitoring is 50/50 (perfect for most people).
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:
This dynamic mic is an industry favorite for vocals as well as for instruments, including guitar (acoustic or amplified), horns, and drums. This dynamic mic uses a cardioid pattern and is designed to deal with high-pressure sound (e.g. loud amps and tubas), but is also great for more sensitive projects like singing, talking, or flutes. It is an analog XLR mic that works with traditional audio equipment and may require an audio interface for use with digital hardware. You may also be interested in borrowing some gear that works great with this mic (see below for suggestions and options).
Note: this analog microphone cannot be plugged directly into a computer or other digital device. If you are looking for a computer-friendly option, try one of our USB mics (also on this page).
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:
Once you have a compatible device to plug this into, it's really very simple. Most of the know-how will have to be with using the device you're plugging it into. This mic has no power switch, so it's always on which isn't always preferred in live situations.
You can position it with the included desktop mic stand or ask about one of our full size stands.
The mic handles high-pressure sound and can be placed right in front of a monster guitar amp or right inside a sax without fear of damaging it. Please be gentle with all of our equipment, but this mic is designed for situations that may be a bit more rough than what we'd recommend with other equipment.
The Zoom M4 MicTrak digital recorder allows you to capture quality audio more easily than ever with its 32-bit float technology. Recorders with 32-bit float allow you to capture high quality audio without having to worry about the recording level (gain), so you can simply hit record and rest assured that you won't end up with audio that's too loud or too quiet. Two combo (XLR and 1/4") inputs allow you to plug in external microphones and instruments. The microphone-like form factor makes this a great option for interviews and the windscreen and glossy texture help to reduce unwanted noise when walking around or handling the recorder. The built-in preamp will produce a better quality recording than plugging an external mic into most cameras.
To power on, slide the switch on the right-hand side down and hold for 2-3 seconds. For simple recordings, hit the record button to stop/start recording (the light will turn on while recording).
The M4 is great for a wide range of audio recordings, including interviews, music, and video projects. Unlike its cousin, the more compact M2, you can mount the M4 to a tripod using the threaded mount on the back of the recorder. The M4 can record up to four tracks: the built-in mics can be recorded as separate mono tracks or one stereo track and two external mics can be plugged into the combo (XLR and 1/4") inputs on the sides of the recorder. Our AT875R boom mic and Shure SM57 mic work great with this recorder.
Power on/off the recorder by sliding the power slider down and holding it for a couple of seconds. Once powered up, you can hit the record button and the built-in stereo XY mics will start recording! With 32-bit float, there is no need to worry about levels, so you can hit record for extremely loud sounds like concerts and then without changing any settings you can go and interview the band afterwards. Plug in a set of headphones to monitor your recording.
If you want to plug in external mics:
It's also easy to export your audio tracks.
However, because this recorder is so easy to use while recording, you need to take an extra step before exporting: normalize your recording. Playback the recording you want to export using the play button (to skip through multiple recordings, use the skip forward and back arrow buttons). Press the "Options" button (labeled LO CUT) and then select the "Normalize" option and then the "Execute" option. This will normalize your recording, including all tracks if you recorded more than one. The process may take a few minutes for recordings that are an hour or longer.
Instructions for using the USB cable to export recordings (including the normalized versions as well as the original versions):
The included SD card should provide enough storage for most recording projects. You may want a backup SD card and/or batteries (2 x AA) if you have a very long project.
The Zoom M2 MicTrak digital recorder gives you all of the features of the M4 but without the option to plug in external mics. The M2 has 32-bit float, which allows you to capture high quality audio without having to worry about the recording level (gain), so you can simply hit record and rest assured that you won't end up with audio that's too loud or too quiet. The microphone-like form factor makes this a great option for interviews and the windscreen and glossy texture help to reduce unwanted noise when walking around or handling the recorder. The built-in preamp will produce a better quality recording than plugging an external mic into most cameras.
To power on, slide the switch on the right-hand side down and hold for 2-3 seconds. For simple recordings, hit the record button to stop/start recording (the light will turn on while recording).
The M2 is great for a wide range of audio recordings, including interviews, music, and video projects. This mic works with most standard microphone stands and clips.
Power on/off the recorder by sliding the power slider down and holding it for a couple of seconds. Once powered up, you can hit the record button and the built-in stereo XY mics will start recording! With 32-bit float, there is no need to worry about levels, so you can hit record for extremely loud sounds like concerts and then without changing any settings you can go and interview the band afterwards. Plug in a set of headphones to monitor your recording.
It's also easy to export your audio tracks.
However, because this recorder is so easy to use while recording, you need to take an extra step before exporting: normalize your recording. Playback the recording you want to export using the play button (to skip through multiple recordings, use the skip forward and back arrow buttons). Press the "Options" button (labeled LO CUT) and then select the "Normalize" option and then the "Execute" option. This will normalize your recording, including all tracks if you recorded more than one. The process may take a few minutes for recordings that are an hour or longer.
Instructions for using the USB cable to export recordings (including the normalized versions as well as the original versions):
The included SD card should provide enough storage for most recording projects. You may want a backup SD card and/or batteries (2 x AA) if you have a very long project.
The Zoom H4n Pro digital recorder allows you to capture quality audio easily but also has some advanced features that go well beyond the H1n. Two XLR/14" inputs allow you to plug in microphones and instruments. The included lavalier mics (one cardioid, one omnidirectional) can be great for interviews and other situations where you want to pickup more than one person at a time without sacrificing quality. The H4n Pro provides phantom power and a preamp, allowing you to use with a variety of microphones and will produce a better quality recording than plugging in a mic directly to most cameras. Some features are particularly useful to musicians. Built-in guitar amp models and effects allow you to use this a headphone amp that can also make recordings. The H4n Pro can also be used as an audio interface to use with a computer and digital audio workstation (DAW).
The H4n Pro is great for a wide range of audio recordings, including interviews, music, and video projects. As with it's more compact cousin the H1n, you can mount the H4n Pro to a tripod using the threaded mount on the back of the recorder. Unlike the H1n, however, the H4n Pro can record up to four tracks (four different mics/sources) simultaneously using the built in X-Y stereo mics and the two combo (XLR and 1/4") inputs at the base of the recorder. To power on, slide the switch on the right-hand side down and hold for 2-3 seconds. For simple recordings, 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.
The H4n Pro also can be used as a 2-input/2-output USB audio interface for PC or Mac. Recording multi-track to a DAW requires a more advanced technical setup, but the H4n Pro operation manual has helpful step-by-step instructions (p 31).
The Pre Amp module also has amp models for guitar and bass (both can be plugged directly into the H4n Pro). There are a wide range of amp models to choose from (instructions start on p 84; amp options listed on p 141).
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 SD card (32GB) should provide enough storage for any recording project. You may want a backup SD card and/or batteries (2 x AA) if you have a very long project.
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!
Tell us your ideas! We'd love to learn how we can help you with your next project. If you have purchase suggestions, tutorial or workshop requests, need a space or want to meet up with others to share ideas: let us know!