Tech: Help-field recording equipment

Subject: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: toadfrog
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 01:38 AM

I am a technical idiot suddenly wanting a portable recording device. I am not sure even whether they use microphones any more. Query: What is (1) inexpensive (preferably not over $200); (2) good for recording music, (voice); and (3) does not require a great deal of sophistication to operate?

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: Ed.
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 02:22 AM

Yes, you'll still need a microphone...

I'd have thought a MiniDisc recorder would suit your needs and pocket.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: Ed.
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 02:31 AM

Caveat, looking at the link I provided, the sub $200 models don't seem to have a microphone socket.

If you look elsewhere though, I'm pretty sure that you could find something suitable and within budget.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: Watson
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 06:07 AM

Yes, minidisc is ideal - but you could pay more than $200 for a good microphone.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From:
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 10:52 AM

I highly recommend the Mini-Disc. I think the current version of my machine is the N707 from Sony. This has Microphone and Line/Optical Inputs. It also has another one for plugging into a USB port for downloading from a computer.

In Canada, they sell for around 499.00Cdn$. Not sure what it is elsewhere, and what it would be outside of a Sony Store. Hopefully closer to your 299.00 maximum. A microphone seems to be needed with almost all Mini-Disc machines. I bought a mic, the ECM-S5 for use with my mini-disc.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: Amos
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 10:56 AM

Mini-disc recorders are very satisfactory. Excellent fidelity and, once you figure them out, easy to use. The figgerin' is a bit hard at first.

A

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 11:07 AM

Used a variety of portable analog tape recorders for decades. Switched to minidisc in 2000. Wouldn't go back. If I needed to replace my current recorder I would seriously consider the Sony mz-b10.
http://www.minidisco.com/mz-b10.html
It includes built in mic & speakers. Such were standard on portable analog tape recorders, but this a first for minidisc I think.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: NicoleC
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 02:06 PM

I hear the built-in mic on the Sony stinks, but it's be convenient, especially with the speakers. Since it also has a mic jack, you could use a better mic with it if desired; I'd buy it if I were in the market for a new one.

You might look for a used mini disc, toadfrog -- if someone is upgrading to a newer unit, you might pick up an older one that has a mic jack for $150-ish, and then you can pick up a middling-decent mic for $30ish.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: GUEST,AARK
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 06:56 PM

I've found Sony Minidisc MZN707 works well, £160, with Sony ECM719 Mic, £60.

The sound quality is better than expected and the editing features are excellent (In common with all other MD machines, I assume)

Can you borrow one from someone and try it yourself?

Good Luck!!

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: GUEST,AARK
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 07:28 PM

I've found Sony Minidisc MZN707 works well, £160, with Sony ECM719 Mic, £60.

The sound quality is better than expected and the editing features are excellent (In common with all other MD machines, I assume)

Can you borrow one from someone and try it yourself?

Good Luck!!

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 09:47 PM

On that budget you can get very little.

Ideal setup for collecting is a remote DAT Tape or Disc - I prefer the Tape since editing is so easy and far cheaper in the long run IF you do a lot of archiving etc.

The Microphone needs be high quality radio type with tranciever connected to the DAT. I did say remote.

One neat thing about Radio is the performer sometimes has no idea you have started recording.

Be aware that collectors today use Video and as I already tried to show on the Muddie finding a catchy tune or song might be a waste of time these days.

The age of video and broadband has started a new culture - the audio is wallpaper.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 10:59 PM

I have a lot of analog stuff of my father's here, and some of it did very nice recordings. There are those who still prefer tape to digital (though I couldn't say who "they" are at this moment). Perhaps Ebay for used equipment, or a pawn shop in a music neighborhood?

Just a guess. (I should get out all of these various machines and figure out what they do, but I haven't had an occasion to record anything in the several years that I've owned this stuff).

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: toadfrog
Date: 14 Jun 03 - 01:27 AM

Thanks so much guys. I only want to do a limited amount of recording. I'll have to give this lots of thought.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: GUEST,yo momma
Date: 26 Nov 05 - 06:27 PM

What kind of cord do I need for my MD player to download musac?

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 26 Nov 05 - 06:42 PM

A# one!

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From:
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 04:26 PM

Probably either a USB or 3.5mm Stereo to 3.5 mm Stereo mini-phone plug cords.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: sandyandy
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 01:35 AM

I bought a Korg PXR4 recording studio, and the sound quality is incredible. It fits in your pocket, works on batteries, has two built in mikes, and you can overdub up to 32 tracks. Best toy I ever had. Probably runs at $300.

SA

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 09:17 PM

To download musac get a cord long enough to hang over the nearest ceiling beam, secure one end and tie a big sliding loop in the other . . .

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: open mike
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 10:07 PM

some of these devices use and OPTICAL connection
not sure what this means or what it is,
but i remember seeing one that had that.for downloaidng, i think.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 06:25 AM

A Optical Connection uses fibre optics to transmit the digital signal in the form of a modulated laser light output. It is not compatible with 'normal' audio connectors, as it is non-electrical.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 09:34 AM

Technology continues to march on.   

Our radio station recently purchase a Marantz CDR420 Digital recorder. The unit has a 20 gig hard drive which will hold about 30 hours of uncompressed .wav files or several hundered hours of MP3's (you can record at various bit rates).   The unit also has a built in CD-R burner so you can burn discs in the field! (You can burn CD audio or data files - it will even split the files onto several discs if you record longer than what a CD will hold). You can even edit on it and download the files directly to your PC with a USB connector.

The unit has several inputs for XLR, RCA, 1/4", and even a built-in mic.   There is even a digital input.

The quality is amazing. My co-host Bill Hahn and I have recorded several concerts simply by patching out from the mixer at the venue. On New Year's Day we will broadcast a showcase concert that we recorded at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance. This unit has the best sound of any portable device I've ever had the pleasure of using. It eliminates the compression issues with MiniDisc, and it is incredibly easy to use.

The down side is the price. The unit lists for nearly $2000, but I've seen it offered for around $1200. If you have the bucks to spend and you need a device that will give you no problems, this is the one. Hit record and then walk away for hours, you will have a great recording.

This unit is sold as professional equipment at the moment, but I would bet in a few years there will be similar consumer models at an affordable price. This will make Minidiscs and other recording devices obsolete.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help-field recording equipment
From: Harmony Angel
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 10:19 AM

I've been considering an M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96 digital recorder. It records directly onto a compact flash card. 1Gb gives about 100 minutes at 16 bit 44.1kHz, they say. Does anyone have any experience with these recorders or anything similar?