Topic: Audio Recording

The Department of Justice is refusing to release the audio recordings of President Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur, arguing that the audio could be used by malicious actors to create deepfakes. Republicans contend the transcript may be doctored and that the audio is necessary for oversight. The hosts argue that the "deepfake risk" is being used as a pretext for government secrecy.

The Detroit News reported the existence of an audio recording from November 2020 in which Donald Trump and Ronna McDaniel allegedly pressured Wayne County canvassers not to certify election results. While CBS reported the existence of the tape as a "stunning development," other networks noted they could not independently verify the audio. The Trump campaign maintains the call was focused on ensuring election integrity.

A review of the Tascam MixCast 4 reveals significant engineering flaws despite its sleek form factor. The device lacks a headphone monitor for the final compressed output signal, forcing users to record without hearing their actual levels. Additionally, the eight programmable jingle buttons are restricted to single memory banks when using multi-track recording mode, a limitation compared to the Rodecaster Pro.

Uber is piloting a new feature in Latin America that allows riders and drivers to record audio during trips to improve safety following reports of sexual assault. The hosts discuss the legal complexities of recording consent in the United States and the broader trend of accepting constant surveillance. They compare this to the ubiquity of Ring doorbells and the diminishing expectation of privacy in public spaces.

The claim that Khashoggi recorded his own death via an Apple Watch that synced to the cloud is scrutinized for technical feasibility in Turkey. Critics argue that without a cellular or Wi-Fi connection, the data would not have uploaded, and no journalists have actually heard the alleged tape. The story is characterized as a media-driven narrative intended to damage the Trump administration's relationship with Saudi Arabia.

A Thorens turntable was rediscovered in an obscure closet, prompting a discussion on the mechanics of vintage audio formats. The conversation covers the collection of 78 RPM Broadway show tune albums from the 1920s and 1930s, which often contain recordings never re-released on modern formats. Technical details regarding 16, 33, 45, and 78 RPM speeds are explored, noting that higher rotation speeds were originally necessary to maintain audio fidelity in mechanical recordings.

The Washington Post reported on a leaked audio recording from 2016 in which House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy suggested Vladimir Putin was paying Donald Trump. McCarthy later characterized the comment as a failed attempt at humor. The discussion focuses on the implications of private conversations being recorded in Washington D.C. and the media's handling of the "tape" versus an electronic recording.

A detailed explanation of a massive technical failure during the previous Thursday's show reveals that the wrong recording bus was selected, resulting in a recording containing only clips and no host audio. The backup recording also failed due to an incorrectly configured automatic gain controller, creating a distorted 3D audio effect.

The hosts thank artist Lynn Hartson for recent show art and producer Martin JJ for saving a previous episode with a backup stream recording after a technical failure. A discussion follows regarding the difficulty of retrieving files from older hardware like the iRiver IFP-799 on modern operating systems.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open episode 625 by discussing their differing technical workflows for clipping audio, including Dvorak's accidental use of caps lock. Dvorak recounts his 1980s media tour for a telecommunications book, noting the lack of standardization across various radio station control rooms. The hosts compare modern digital recording tools like Audio Hijack Pro against older hardware like Gates mixing boards.

In response to a listener question, Dvorak describes his use of a Kyocera 620 receiver, which he considers one of the finest ever made. He also mentions owning a crank-style gramophone for playing 78 RPM records, specifically referencing a 1920s comedy act called The Black Crows.

John Dvorak shares a "WTF clip" resulting from a technical failure on his H2 digital recorder. The corrupted audio, which was intended to be a report on the NATO summit in Chicago, sounds like "ghosts" after being processed in Audacity. Adam Curry mocks the "bogative" state of John's equipment.

The hosts recommend the Zoom H2 wave recorder as an affordable and high-quality tool for listeners to capture media clips for the show. They encourage the audience to monitor television programs for the "service" propaganda themes mentioned earlier. They explain how to connect the device to various audio sources to create digital copies of broadcasts.