Portable Field Recorder -Recommendations Sought

[Bob Cunico]

I am looking for advice for purchasing a recording system for voice and
natural sounds. The most important features are cost < $300, must be
portable, and as high a frequency range as possible (20-20kHz would be
ideal).

Important features:
Record children who may be speaking softly then shouting the next
without clipping.
Portable enough to bring into the wild.
Can be battery powered.
Can monitor recording (nice but not required)

I've looked at specs for the following units:
Tascam US-122 requires a laptop to be portable
Tascam PS-5 records to flashcard
Creative Nomad Jukebox see for details (http://www.toddh.net/music/njb/)

If anybody has used these or can recommend something more suitable I
would greatly appreciate it even if its analog.

[Kurt Albershardt]

Bob Cunico wrote:
>
> cost < $300
> ...
> Creative Nomad Jukebox

OK so far, since refurb 20 gB units can be had for $180. No mic, no preamp. There begins the problem with your pricepoint...

[George W.]

On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 06:28:18 GMT, Bob Cunico wrote:

>I am looking for advice for purchasing a recording system for voice and
>natural sounds. The most important features are cost < $300, must be
>portable, and as high a frequency range as possible (20-20kHz would be
>ideal).

Hi-MD, due out next month by Sony. Units with mic inputs start at
around $250 list. One GB uncompressed PCM (or Atrac3), USB in and out,
data storage, more....

http://minidisc.org/
http://www.sony.net/Products/Hi-MD/index.html
http://minidisc.org/part_Hi-MD_Sony.html
http://minidisc.org/keep/Sony_Hi-MD_Spec.pdf

[Paul Rubin]

Bob Cunico > writes:
> I am looking for advice for purchasing a recording system for voice
> and natural sounds. The most important features are cost < $300, must
> be portable, and as high a frequency range as possible (20-20kHz would
> be ideal).

People who are into recording nature sounds for scientific purposes
don't want to use any recorders that apply psychoacoustic audio
compression. That would disqualify the Tascam PS-5 that you mention
since it's an MP3 recorder. They'd rather use an analog cassette
recorder even if the frequency response isn't so tremendous. The
Creative Nomad 3 Jukebox (note the "3", not earlier models) can record
in uncompressed WAV format so that's considered ok for them. I don't
know if this issue applies to your application. You will need to use
an amplified mic or mic preamp.

[Marc Heusser]

In article >,
Bob Cunico > wrote:

> I am looking for advice for purchasing a recording system for voice and
> natural sounds. The most important features are cost < $300, must be
> portable, and as high a frequency range as possible (20-20kHz would be
> ideal).
>
> Important features:
> Record children who may be speaking softly then shouting the next
> without clipping.
> Portable enough to bring into the wild.
> Can be battery powered.
> Can monitor recording (nice but not required)

....
except for the price (ca $600) the Marantz PMD-670 would certainly work.
I'm using it for a similar purpose (working as a psychotherapist).

HTH

Marc

--
Marc Heusser
(remove the obvious: CHEERS and MERICAL...until end to reply via email)

[DrBoom]

George W. > wrote in message >...
> On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 06:28:18 GMT, Bob Cunico wrote:
>
> >I am looking for advice for purchasing a recording system for voice and
> >natural sounds. The most important features are cost < $300, must be
> >portable, and as high a frequency range as possible (20-20kHz would be
> >ideal).
>
> Hi-MD, due out next month by Sony. Units with mic inputs start at
> around $250 list. One GB uncompressed PCM (or Atrac3), USB in and out,
> data storage, more....

They would be GREAT for some applications, but from what I've been able
to find out, the initial Sony units won't let you transfer anything via USB
that was recorded through the digital inputs. I hope I missed something,
but it's a real bummer if true since none of the units have a digital output.

-DrBoom

[Bob Cain]

DrBoom wrote:

> George W. > wrote in message >...
>
>>On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 06:28:18 GMT, Bob Cunico wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I am looking for advice for purchasing a recording system for voice and
>>>natural sounds. The most important features are cost < $300, must be
>>>portable, and as high a frequency range as possible (20-20kHz would be
>>>ideal).
>>
>>Hi-MD, due out next month by Sony. Units with mic inputs start at
>>around $250 list. One GB uncompressed PCM (or Atrac3), USB in and out,
>>data storage, more....
>
>
> They would be GREAT for some applications, but from what I've been able
> to find out, the initial Sony units won't let you transfer anything via USB
> that was recorded through the digital inputs.

Correct. They are still trying to place their finger in the
digital dike. I also have trouble seeing how that
particular finger really has any impact on the larger
problem. I particularly dislike it because it leaves you at
the mercy of their front ends and converters which have not
been historically of especially good quality. Maybe they'll
compensate us on that score.


Bob
--

"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no
simpler."

A. Einstein

[Martin Tillman]

On 18 Mar 2004 12:52:26 -0800, (DrBoom) wrote:

> the initial Sony units won't let you transfer anything via USB
> that was recorded through the digital inputs

Initial, and all subsequent, I'm sure.

Give thanks to the god Sony that you can at least transfer analogue
via USB.

--
'Reply to:' is valid

m.
in Milton Keynes, UK

PGP key available

[Daniel Houg]

Bob Cunico > wrote in message >...
> I am looking for advice for purchasing a recording system for voice and
> natural sounds. The most important features are cost < $300, must be
> portable, and as high a frequency range as possible (20-20kHz would be
> ideal).

i have 7 of the Marantz PMD670 in field service and they are working
out well. record onto Compact Flash (no moving parts), and can record
straight PCM or compress into MP2 or MP3. they are above your price
range but they work and have features you need eg. P48 on balanced mic
preamps. Marantz support has been incredible (there is an issue with
battery charging they fixed).

Dan Houg
Engineer, KAXE-FM
www.kaxe.org

[Sugarite]

> I am looking for advice for purchasing a recording system for voice and
> natural sounds. The most important features are cost < $300, must be
> portable, and as high a frequency range as possible (20-20kHz would be
> ideal).
>
> Important features:
> Record children who may be speaking softly then shouting the next
> without clipping.
> Portable enough to bring into the wild.
> Can be battery powered.
> Can monitor recording (nice but not required)

A Nomad Jukebox 3 and a Behringer MXB1002 mixer is the least expensive fully
portable recording rig for your purposes, and can be done for under $300.
You will be limited to mics that can run on 18V phantom power, such as the
Rode NT5, though you might want something brighter.

The only way you'd really be able to deal with the dynamics is to use a
compressor, and a FMR RNC can run on batteries, and the MXB1002 has inserts
on the first two strips.

Your budget is too low IMO. Best of luck.

[Kurt Albershardt]

Sugarite wrote:
>
> The only way you'd really be able to deal with the dynamics is to use a
> compressor, and a FMR RNC can run on batteries

How?

[Richard Crowley]

> Sugarite wrote:
> > The only way you'd really be able to deal with the dynamics
> > is to use a compressor, and a FMR RNC can run on batteries

"Kurt Albershardt" wrote ...
> How?

Mr. Albershardt is correct that the RNC will not run on batteries.
It requires an AC input in order to generate both + and - power
voltages internally. This has been discussed several times over
on news:rec.arts.movies.production.sound as well.

I have considered making a small 12v inverter for equipment
like the RNC that will allow operation on batteries.

[Dan [ www.sleepwalkermusic.net ]]

Creative Nomad 3
Denecke AD20 - AD converter and mic preamp
Rode NT4 - Stereo mic.

If you search used you're in about $500-$800 and you'll be very happy with
the results.

Cheers,
Dan
www.sleepwalkermusic.net

[Bob Cain]

Dan [ www.sleepwalkermusic.net ] wrote:

> Creative Nomad 3
> Denecke AD20 - AD converter and mic preamp
> Rode NT4 - Stereo mic.
>
> If you search used you're in about $500-$800 and you'll be very happy with
> the results.

Agreed.


Bob
--

"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no
simpler."

A. Einstein