Portable recording solution

[dmann]

I need a small portable recorder with, more than likely, Cd quality. At this time I will be using it to record interviews ( no video for this application) and possibly later for sampling applications. I am eyeing portable Minidisc recorders, because of there affordability. Also, what microphone should be used for this application? Thanks

Dmann

[iqi616]

There are a number of solutions around these days. MiniDisc, DAT, Flash card. Also take a look at some of those 2 or 4 track hard disk recorders. If you're looking forward to using it for gathering samples you probably want to spend the extra for a recorder that doesn't use data compression.

As for microphones, it depends on how you're going to be doing the interviews and whether it is just for taking notes or if the interviews are going to be edited and broadcast. For example, sit down interviews could be done with a Radio Shack PZM sitting on the table.

[dmann]

When I said interview that wasn't very accurate. I am creating an interactive CDrom for a local company and needed to capture some audio clips of people's opinions. But I decided to just use a AKG C1000s and a laptop for that. But, let's talk about the sampling aspect. I like the idea of the hard disk recorders. What brands are available? What quality do they operate at? I couldn't find any at Sweetwater. What would be a good mic for sampling along with the hard disk recorder, considering the need for phantom power?

[iqi616]

Zoom does one and I think Tascam has just launched one. See if they have any info on their websites.

As for microphones for sampling it depends on what you're recording. If an omnidirectional mic fits the bill a pair of Behringer ECM 8000s would be very easy on the wallet. For something more directional you could use the AKGs. You probably wouldn't want to drag around any large diaphragm condensers but if you did the Studio Projects C1 has a lot of fans. The PZMs can be quite interesting in that they can just be taped to a wall or a door or left on the floor somewhere they won't get trod on.

[treidm]

Dmann:
What is your budget for recorder, and what is budget for mic?
Are you looking for an all in one recorder that has built in mixer etc.? Without knowing your budget, I'll say for spoken voice a Neumann U87AI would be one of the best mics to have. On a lower budget an
AKG C414B-TLII or even lower a C4000B would give you great recording of spoken voice, and they all have multiple patterns, which could be used in differing applications, depending on the situatuion or the particular sound you are looking for. Let us know your budget?
:confused:
Reid

[dmann]

Let's say up to 2 grand for the portable recorder and microphone. I would like the microphone to be as versatile as possible(for example sampling natural occuring sounds and acoustic instruments in the studio). I need to be able to power the microphone effectively without carrying around a mixer and a full sized Nagra.

[treidm]

Dmann:
In that budget range, I would suggest a HDD recorder/mixer combo over mini-disc. You can get a Tascam 788 8-track HDD DAW for about $650-$750 if you take your time and don't rush. The best all around general use mic in your range and possibly any range, and you can EQ it to sound like awesome vocal mics also would be the one and only AKG C414B-ULS, you can pick one up for about $650-$750, if you again take your time and get a good buy, and it has 4 polar patterns too! This should leave you about $500-$700 for a few other items you will need. Since you might be moving around sometimes, get a good pair of really flat headphones, for about $100-$125 you can get a pair of AKG K240DF's(really flat)or Beyerdynamic DT990's, I prefer the AKG's. You will also need a Phantom power unit, single units can be gotten for $60-$80, or opt for getting a descent mic preamp unit that has phantom and/or extras. Take a look at the Focusrite Platinum Series VoiceMaster, it offers alot for the money, and can be used for instruments as well. I bought a VoiceMaster recently and got it really cheap, you could get one for as little as $400-$450 if you take your time and search and haggle! This setup would be portable and give you 16 or 24 bit resolution, a 10Gig HDD standard, and you can buy larger ones. With an approved CDRW you can backup data and burn cd's.
For every 4Gig of HDD space, at 24 bit, using all 8 tracks and effects, you can get 1 hour of recording, at 16 bit, using 8 tracks, you can get 1 1/2 hours recording. Remember thats using all 8 tracks, so if you only use 2 tracks, recording time multiplies. and thats for every 4Gig, the factory one is 10Gig, so you would have plenty of recording space and if you got the cdrw, you can back up projects, and then bring them back into the active section at a later date. And of course it does have a built in digital mixer, and you can reassign tracks without having to do alot of patching with cables. Oh yeah, get some good cables! Hope these suggestions help.
:) Reid

[dmann]

That's very helpful, thanks. I have a pair of Sony 7506's that have served me well for a while now. How do they compare to the models treidm suggested ? As I don't need to multitrack, since I will transfer what is sampled to computer, I really think the tascam 788 is bit combersome, and a has more features than I would use. I still haven't located a 2 track hard disk recorder. Hints anyone?

[treidm]

Dmann:
Ok then, for total portability and in mini-disc format, I will suggest another Tascam product. The Tascam 564, it is a mini-disc recorder/mixer, has XLR's, phantom pwr, balanced inputs, s/pdif out, 74 minutes of 2 track on a mini disc, and best of all, it is not compressed 24 bit, like the Yamaha's are, it's true 24 bit! So you get much better quality. They don't make them anymore, but they can be bought in excellent condition used. Some peple have actually used them as a mastering medium, before burning. It would be a cheap way to keep sessions. I think sweetwater used to sell them, so they might still have information on them, if you asked, if not, I could send you some info, that I have on them. Oh yeah, If you needed it later, you could record up to 4 track on it also, or just record a single track if you want, and you wouldn't have to have anything else, it has phantom power, mic-pres etc.. I've seen good buys online for them.
:) Reid