How I record my videos: 1 [Schematic]

• Software. When making a video, I always record sound and vision separately. I use the iMovie software on an Apple Mac Book Pro to import and synchronise separate audio and video files. The iMovie software comes free with the Mac OS software, but beware - the latest (Leopard) version of iMovie is unsophisticated and limited. The previous version - iMovie HD - is available as a free download from the Apple site. Apple were more or less forced to offer the older version as a free download after heavy press criticism of their updated product. Similar software to iMovie is available for the Windows platform, but I have no information about PC software.

• Video. I use a Canon DVD camcorder to record the video. The Canon has a screen which twists so that the person being videoed can see exactly what's in the frame by looking at the screen. I try and record on a good sunny day but away from direct sunlight. I position myself by a window and place the camera either on a tripod or, more usually, on the windowsill with the light behind it! I use a piano music stool as a seat and check the position of hands and guitar in the camcorder screen before recording. Before starting the camcorder and beginning to play, I set up the sound recording.

Next...