Collecting rich media along with your survey forms is one of Fulcrum’s hallmark capabilities, allowing you to add detail to your collection workflow by using pictures and SpatialVideo. Today, we are introducing audio capture, allowing teams to record audio logs on their iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. This feature lets users attach audio recordings to data records captured directly in the field for improved documentation. It is especially beneficial for users recording field notes by speaking into their device for later transcription. Audio capture is also useful for inspections in tight spaces or when quickly logging observations without typing. This feature saves time and adds significant flexibility to Fulcrum’s already robust and versatile feature set.
Audio with GPS tracklogs
Fulcrum’s audio recordings, like SpatialVideo, can generate a GPS tracklog synchronized with the corresponding audio file. Playing back audio recordings alongside a map provides a crucial layer of spatial context for your analysis. For instance, you can record bird calls and later pinpoint the exact locations on a map during playback. You might also document stormwater management structures while walking the perimeter of a pond for inspection purposes. This functionality is built into the audio field settings and can be configured based on specific user needs. When recording notes indoors for building inspections, users can disable the GPS tracklog feature.
Audio recordings can also be paused and resumed in Fulcrum, depending on how you’re taking notes. When you do this, the tracklog will stop and pick back up and give you a log file containing multiple segments (example). We built a player for the Fulcrum web interface to review your audio recordings with a synchronized map view. On the left you get a nice waveform view of your file, and on the right your track lines from recording.
We know there are dozens of ways our users are already planning to use this functionality. If you have an interesting use case for logging audio recordings while in the field, let us know.