Handheld\nrecorders are a great portable solution for field recording, video, podcasting,\nand even recording band practices in different locations! That\u2019s why,\nin this guide, we\u2019ll give you advice and provide you with some of the best\npractices so you can get the most out of your handheld recorder. Follow the\nsections below to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While\nsome have built-in storage, almost all handheld recorders use some sort of SD (secure\ndigital) card. The main reason why\nSD cards are used in handheld recorders (as well\nas in cameras, cell phones, etc.) is\nsimply due to their portability.\nBefore using your handheld recorder, though, you\u2019ll need to make sure you buy an SD card that\nis compatible with your recorder.\nIf an SD cardisn\u2019t\nincluded, check the manufacturer\u2019s website for a full list\nof compatible SD cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TIP: <\/strong>SD cards have a sliding\nsecurity lock switch on\nthe side of them. If you insert your SD card and the recorder shows that it\u2019s\nunreadable, double-check to make sure that the card is not locked.\nIf locked, simply slide the switch to the opposite position to unlock it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you insert a new SD card into a handheld\nrecorder for the first time, it must be formatted. If the SD card isn\u2019t\nformatted, data will not be written, and you\u2019ll often receive an error stating\nthat the SD card isn\u2019t readable. While you can format the SD card on your\ncomputer, it\u2019s recommended to do so on the handheld recorder to ensure that it\nworks properly with your unit. This is particularly\nimportant as SDHC cards need to be formatted as FAT32, and SDXC cards as exFAT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As mentioned, formatting an SD card for use with a handheld recorder is possible on a computer. Formatting directly in the handheld recorder is preferred, however. Before formatting an existing SD card, make sure there isn\u2019t any data on it. And if there is datathat you want to keep, be sure to back it up because formatting will erase everything on it. Where you locate the\nrecorder and how you position it are both essential factors when using it. As a\nmatter of fact, this is the foundation of everything and will make or break the\nrecording.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nowadays, most handheld devices have noise\nsuppression features, but that will not eliminate noise completely, especially\nif, for example, you\u2019re outside capturing sound on a windy day. Here are some\nlocation and positioning tips when using a handheld recorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve placed the recorder in the spot you want, the next step is to test the level and keep it consistent. This can be a little tricky depending on the environment and the source, but getting a good baseline can turn your final recording from good to extraordinary. You don\u2019t want to get halfway through your recording before you realize that the recording level is too hot and the recording is clipping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Setting the level at or around -12dB on the meters is considered a good starting point when using portable recorders, especially in the video world. This gives you enough headroom<\/a> if there\u2019s a sudden spike in the audio, which is especially true for concerts, practices, or Foley (e.g., lightning), as the audio may be unpredictable at times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s\nmuch simpler when it comes to interviews or podcasts, though. All you need to\ndo is speak at the volume you and your guest(s) will be talking and make your\nadjustments as necessary. Just allow an extra few decibels to account\nfor a potential sudden cough, sneeze, or loud spoken outburst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If\npossible, wear headphones while setting the levels and also while recording.\nThe display may show you that the level is at -12dB, but that could be due to\nvarious reasons, such as wind or a lapel microphone brushing against a shirt.\nWearing headphones will\nhelp you determine whether that signal is coming from the source or the\nenvironment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even\nthough everything is set to the right level, there may be times when\nthings will be suddenly louder than expected.\nAdjusting the level on the fly will make it sound more consistent throughout\nthe performance. Think of it like cooking. If you\u2019re making a burger, you\nwouldn\u2019t put it on the grill, then walk away; you\nneed to keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn\u2019t get overcooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your portable recorder has an auto-level or auto-gain feature (AGC), you may want to turn it off. It lowers the volume as the source becomes louder, but it raises the volume as the source gets softer. While it may be the easy way of keeping the level steady<\/strong>, it can result in some unnatural, over-compressed-sounding recordings.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAre you formatting an existing SD card?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nLocation and positioning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Setting the levels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Set it to -12dB<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wear headphones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Keep the audio level steady<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Does your handheld recorder have an auto level feature?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n