[David@liminal]

I'm new to this list so apologies if this has come up before. I'm
wanting to record up to 8 channel audio 'in the field' - i.e really in
the field. All the the purpose built machines that can do this (HHB
portadrive, aaton, sonosax etc) are way too expensive for me but I've
had really results using the motu traveller. the trouble is, lap-tops
aren't convenient if you're walking around. Has anybody tried using
stuff like the frontier tranzport with a closed lap-top in a ruck-sack
for location recording? Or even heard of anybody putting together a
simple hd system with transport controls and track-arming to marry up
to a bus-powered interface like the traveller? presumably this could
be achieved with a little computer know-how although this is beyond my
abilities.

dp

[Krazy Kanuck]

go to fostex.com and look for MR-8 or MR-8HD

--
.....Order the "Accordion Evolution" documentary of the Las Vegas
International Accordion Convention from my website:
http://users.accesscomm.ca/limbery/
....Del Sur Al Norte...Regina Sk. Canada Latin and South American Folk dance
band:
www.DelSurAlNorte.com
"David@liminal" wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm new to this list so apologies if this has come up before. I'm
wanting to record up to 8 channel audio 'in the field' - i.e really in
the field. All the the purpose built machines that can do this (HHB
portadrive, aaton, sonosax etc) are way too expensive for me but I've
had really results using the motu traveller. the trouble is, lap-tops
aren't convenient if you're walking around. Has anybody tried using
stuff like the frontier tranzport with a closed lap-top in a ruck-sack
for location recording? Or even heard of anybody putting together a
simple hd system with transport controls and track-arming to marry up
to a bus-powered interface like the traveller? presumably this could
be achieved with a little computer know-how although this is beyond my
abilities.

dp

[Krazy Kanuck]

......actually, it only records 2....

The MR-8 won't record 8 tracks simultaneously. It only records 4.

"Krazy Kanuck" wrote in message
...
go to fostex.com and look for MR-8 or MR-8HD

--
....Order the "Accordion Evolution" documentary of the Las Vegas
International Accordion Convention from my website:
http://users.accesscomm.ca/limbery/
...Del Sur Al Norte...Regina Sk. Canada Latin and South American Folk
dance band:
www.DelSurAlNorte.com
"David@liminal" wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm new to this list so apologies if this has come up before. I'm
wanting to record up to 8 channel audio 'in the field' - i.e really in
the field. All the the purpose built machines that can do this (HHB
portadrive, aaton, sonosax etc) are way too expensive for me but I've
had really results using the motu traveller. the trouble is, lap-tops
aren't convenient if you're walking around. Has anybody tried using
stuff like the frontier tranzport with a closed lap-top in a ruck-sack
for location recording? Or even heard of anybody putting together a
simple hd system with transport controls and track-arming to marry up
to a bus-powered interface like the traveller? presumably this could
be achieved with a little computer know-how although this is beyond my
abilities.

dp

[David@liminal]

Soundhaspriority wrote:
"David@liminal" wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm new to this list so apologies if this has come up before. I'm
wanting to record up to 8 channel audio 'in the field' - i.e really in
the field. All the the purpose built machines that can do this (HHB
portadrive, aaton, sonosax etc) are way too expensive for me but I've
had really results using the motu traveller. the trouble is, lap-tops
aren't convenient if you're walking around. Has anybody tried using
stuff like the frontier tranzport with a closed lap-top in a ruck-sack
for location recording? Or even heard of anybody putting together a
simple hd system with transport controls and track-arming to marry up
to a bus-powered interface like the traveller? presumably this could
be achieved with a little computer know-how although this is beyond my
abilities.

dp

But the cheapest 4 channel sound with good DACs and reasonable preamps will
soon be introduced by Core Sound: http://www.core-sound.com/Mic2496/13.php
It is based on a Windows 2005 PDA, with a set of modular components:
interface card for the PDA, preamp-A/D box, and one of a variety of PDAs,
which you purchase separately. I think the total price for a complete four
channel system will be around $1500, including the cost of the PDA and a
flash card. Reviews of the Core Sound 2 channel unit suggest that the sound
is very good, though the pres have low gain.

I could use another four channels. I just don't know how to get them. For
my 6 channel compact setup, this is what I use:
744T and 302 preamp, for 4 channels.
Apogee MiniMe A/D, captured by the CoreSound interface card hooked to a Dell
Axim.
The 744T clocks off the Apogee.
Sync is accomplished by clinking glasses together.

A low cost alternative that has the possibility of superior results is to
concentrate your cash on two channels, and mix down in real time.

Since you seem to want to record standing up, how do you plan to handle 8
mic feeds? I would get rather tangled up

Bob Morein
Dresher, PA
(215) 646-4894

Thanks for this advice Bob, the 4 channel core sound thing sounds
interesting . I'm also going to try and get a demo of the frontier
tranzport to use with a lap-top with the lid closed - there could be
some potential in that. In answer to your question on multiple mic
feeds: lots of well choreographed people!

David

[tobiah]

Four

Krazy Kanuck wrote:
.....actually, it only records 2....

The MR-8 won't record 8 tracks simultaneously. It only records 4.

"Krazy Kanuck" wrote in message
...
go to fostex.com and look for MR-8 or MR-8HD

--
....Order the "Accordion Evolution" documentary of the Las Vegas
International Accordion Convention from my website:
http://users.accesscomm.ca/limbery/
...Del Sur Al Norte...Regina Sk. Canada Latin and South American Folk
dance band:
www.DelSurAlNorte.com
"David@liminal" wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm new to this list so apologies if this has come up before. I'm
wanting to record up to 8 channel audio 'in the field' - i.e really in
the field. All the the purpose built machines that can do this (HHB
portadrive, aaton, sonosax etc) are way too expensive for me but I've
had really results using the motu traveller. the trouble is, lap-tops
aren't convenient if you're walking around. Has anybody tried using
stuff like the frontier tranzport with a closed lap-top in a ruck-sack
for location recording? Or even heard of anybody putting together a
simple hd system with transport controls and track-arming to marry up
to a bus-powered interface like the traveller? presumably this could
be achieved with a little computer know-how although this is beyond my
abilities.

dp






--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

[Krazy Kanuck]

Ok....so you're saying that I can record on tracks 1-4
simultaneously?....with only 2 inputs, what would be the point in recording
more than 2 tracks?

Four

Krazy Kanuck wrote:
.....actually, it only records 2....

The MR-8 won't record 8 tracks simultaneously. It only records 4.

"Krazy Kanuck" wrote in message
...
go to fostex.com and look for MR-8 or MR-8HD

--
....Order the "Accordion Evolution" documentary of the Las Vegas
International Accordion Convention from my website:
http://users.accesscomm.ca/limbery/
...Del Sur Al Norte...Regina Sk. Canada Latin and South American Folk
dance band:
www.DelSurAlNorte.com
"David@liminal" wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm new to this list so apologies if this has come up before. I'm
wanting to record up to 8 channel audio 'in the field' - i.e really in
the field. All the the purpose built machines that can do this (HHB
portadrive, aaton, sonosax etc) are way too expensive for me but I've
had really results using the motu traveller. the trouble is, lap-tops
aren't convenient if you're walking around. Has anybody tried using
stuff like the frontier tranzport with a closed lap-top in a ruck-sack
for location recording? Or even heard of anybody putting together a
simple hd system with transport controls and track-arming to marry up
to a bus-powered interface like the traveller? presumably this could
be achieved with a little computer know-how although this is beyond my
abilities.

dp






--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

[Marc Wielage]

On Nov 8, 2006, David@liminal commented:

I'm new to this list so apologies if this has come up before. I'm
wanting to record up to 8 channel audio 'in the field' - i.e really in
the field. All the the purpose built machines that can do this (HHB
portadrive, aaton, sonosax etc) are way too expensive for me but I've
had really results using the motu traveller.
------------------------------snip------------------------------

With many laptops, the moment you close them, the computer goes to sleep. At
best, you won't be able to get to the controls or meters to operate the
recorder, unless those features are remoted to an outboard mixing device.
And as Mr. Morein says elsewhere, laptops can get very hot when used in
confined spaces without ventilation.

I suggest you look at the Sound Devices 7xx series:

http://sounddevices.com/products/7.htm

These are much cheaper than the HHB PortaDrive, the Aaton Cantar, or the
Zaxcom Deva (which you didn't mention), which are all in the $10,000+ price
range.

If you can live with six channels instead of four, Fostex recently
discontinued the PD-6, which is a 6-channel portable recorder. The PD6 is
being blown out for $5500 from many companies, even less if you can find one
used. If you can live with only four channels, the Sound Devices 744t
(actually 4 channels plus timecode) is about $4000, give or take.

The advantage of either the Fostex or the Sound Devices is that the mike
preamps are going to be a lot better than the ones in many cheaper devices.
The units are also built for ruggedness, and I think they're going to hold up
a lot better than a laptop out in the field.

--MFW

[David@liminal]

thanks all for the wise advice. i did use a fostex once a while back
and didn't really rate the sound much. Curiously i've felt the same
way about all the portable tascam stuff i've used in the past. I've
never used the sound devices machines but I've only heard good about
them so they would be my first choice if i could afford one but my
interest in the motu traveller was that it does actually sound pretty
good and it seems a shame that it's 3/4 way there to a truely portable
8 track solution. I'll certainly take all this advice on board -
especially the overheating issue. I'm going to talk with some unix
friends to see what the possibilities are of building a small recorder
box. probably wishful thinking.

david
Soundhaspriority wrote:
"Marc Wielage" wrote in message
.com...
On Nov 8, 2006, David@liminal commented:

I'm new to this list so apologies if this has come up before. I'm
wanting to record up to 8 channel audio 'in the field' - i.e really in
the field. All the the purpose built machines that can do this (HHB
portadrive, aaton, sonosax etc) are way too expensive for me but I've
had really results using the motu traveller.
------------------------------snip------------------------------

With many laptops, the moment you close them, the computer goes to sleep.
At
best, you won't be able to get to the controls or meters to operate the
recorder, unless those features are remoted to an outboard mixing device.
And as Mr. Morein says elsewhere, laptops can get very hot when used in
confined spaces without ventilation.

I suggest you look at the Sound Devices 7xx series:

http://sounddevices.com/products/7.htm

These are much cheaper than the HHB PortaDrive, the Aaton Cantar, or the
Zaxcom Deva (which you didn't mention), which are all in the $10,000+
price
range.

If you can live with six channels instead of four, Fostex recently
discontinued the PD-6, which is a 6-channel portable recorder. The PD6 is
being blown out for $5500 from many companies, even less if you can find
one
used. If you can live with only four channels, the Sound Devices 744t
(actually 4 channels plus timecode) is about $4000, give or take.

The advantage of either the Fostex or the Sound Devices is that the mike
preamps are going to be a lot better than the ones in many cheaper
devices.
The units are also built for ruggedness, and I think they're going to hold
up
a lot better than a laptop out in the field.

--MFW

His problem is, he wants it very cheap. I wish I could think of a way to
help him. David, perhaps if you make a custom mesh bag for the laptop, open
on all sides -- but also bear in mind that the hard drive in a laptop
typically has no shock mount. So your mesh bag would also require soft
corner bumpers. Also, the USB connectors on a laptop are very delicate,
being mounted directly to the very thin motheboard. To protect these, use
one of the Zip-ling cables. The connectors on these are very short, and the
thin cable exerts little force on them.

The laptop lid may be programmable as part of the power scheme.

[David@liminal]

thanks all for the wise advice. i did use a fostex once a while back
and didn't really rate the sound much. Curiously i've felt the same
way about all the portable tascam stuff i've used in the past. I've
never used the sound devices machines but I've only heard good about
them so they would be my first choice if i could afford one but my
interest in the motu traveller was that it does actually sound pretty
good and it seems a shame that it's 3/4 way there to a truely portable
8 track solution. I'll certainly take all this advice on board -
especially the overheating issue. I'm going to talk with some unix
friends to see what the possibilities are of building a small recorder
box. probably wishful thinking.

david
Soundhaspriority wrote:
"Marc Wielage" wrote in message
.com...
On Nov 8, 2006, David@liminal commented:

I'm new to this list so apologies if this has come up before. I'm
wanting to record up to 8 channel audio 'in the field' - i.e really in
the field. All the the purpose built machines that can do this (HHB
portadrive, aaton, sonosax etc) are way too expensive for me but I've
had really results using the motu traveller.
------------------------------snip------------------------------

With many laptops, the moment you close them, the computer goes to sleep.
At
best, you won't be able to get to the controls or meters to operate the
recorder, unless those features are remoted to an outboard mixing device.
And as Mr. Morein says elsewhere, laptops can get very hot when used in
confined spaces without ventilation.

I suggest you look at the Sound Devices 7xx series:

http://sounddevices.com/products/7.htm

These are much cheaper than the HHB PortaDrive, the Aaton Cantar, or the
Zaxcom Deva (which you didn't mention), which are all in the $10,000+
price
range.

If you can live with six channels instead of four, Fostex recently
discontinued the PD-6, which is a 6-channel portable recorder. The PD6 is
being blown out for $5500 from many companies, even less if you can find
one
used. If you can live with only four channels, the Sound Devices 744t
(actually 4 channels plus timecode) is about $4000, give or take.

The advantage of either the Fostex or the Sound Devices is that the mike
preamps are going to be a lot better than the ones in many cheaper
devices.
The units are also built for ruggedness, and I think they're going to hold
up
a lot better than a laptop out in the field.

--MFW

His problem is, he wants it very cheap. I wish I could think of a way to
help him. David, perhaps if you make a custom mesh bag for the laptop, open
on all sides -- but also bear in mind that the hard drive in a laptop
typically has no shock mount. So your mesh bag would also require soft
corner bumpers. Also, the USB connectors on a laptop are very delicate,
being mounted directly to the very thin motheboard. To protect these, use
one of the Zip-ling cables. The connectors on these are very short, and the
thin cable exerts little force on them.

The laptop lid may be programmable as part of the power scheme.

[Les Cargill]

David@liminal wrote:

thanks all for the wise advice. i did use a fostex once a while back
and didn't really rate the sound much.

My VF16 sounds just fine. It's the usual cheap A/D/D/A
tone, but it measures well and is relatively transparent.

I've done several live CDs with it.

Curiously i've felt the same
way about all the portable tascam stuff i've used in the past. I've
never used the sound devices machines but I've only heard good about
them so they would be my first choice if i could afford one but my
interest in the motu traveller was that it does actually sound pretty
good and it seems a shame that it's 3/4 way there to a truely portable
8 track solution.

That's a lot to ask for - ten years ago, the only
portable 8 track was stuff like a Tascam casette - and
it required wall power.

I'll certainly take all this advice on board -
especially the overheating issue. I'm going to talk with some unix
friends to see what the possibilities are of building a small recorder
box. probably wishful thinking.


If we're into sience fiction already , then see if
there's a Linux distro for one of the tablet PCs. Dunno
how you'll power the A/D, though...

david
snip

--
Les Cargill

[Daniel Fuchs]

Marc Wielage wrote:


With many laptops, the moment you close them, the computer goes to sleep.

There's always an option to change that...

[David@liminal]

If we're into sience fiction already , then see if
there's a Linux distro for one of the tablet PCs. Dunno
how you'll power the A/D, though...


yeah, tablet PCs might be an option. MOTU traveller is bus powered