Best Portable Sound Recording Option?
by James Jacoby · in Game Design and Creative Issues · 10/01/2004 (1:22 pm) · 13 replies
After doing some research on the web, I get the impression that sound effects engineers are still living in the stone age with DAT technology!? DAT's (Digital Audio Tapes) seem overly expensive and outdated. Aren't there better options out there? With all the hard drive-based Mp3 players out there, you'd think some of them would have a hook up for an external mic and have the option to record to uncompressed wav.
My Question: What is the best option for recording your own sound effects in the field? Are there any mp3 players that offer an external mic hookup and wav format when recording?
Thanks!
My Question: What is the best option for recording your own sound effects in the field? Are there any mp3 players that offer an external mic hookup and wav format when recording?
Thanks!
About the author
#2
10/01/2004 (2:13 pm)
Pretty much every personal music player that can record external sources does so VERY poorly. Even the iPod.
#3
10/01/2004 (2:41 pm)
Minidisc is a pretty good option for field recording. Get a good mic and you can have very good results. They're quite portable too.
#4
Gonzo: That's not what I meant- they do have their strong points. However, why don't they make hard drive or memory card based 24 channel recording devices? Before you answer- they probably do and they probably cost $10,000.00-- way out of a indi hobbiest's budget like mine.
10/01/2004 (3:23 pm)
Thank you Matt, that is an excellent idea. Those are pretty cheap now too aren't they? Gonzo: That's not what I meant- they do have their strong points. However, why don't they make hard drive or memory card based 24 channel recording devices? Before you answer- they probably do and they probably cost $10,000.00-- way out of a indi hobbiest's budget like mine.
#5
www.echoaudio.com/Products/CardBus/Laptop/index.php
10/01/2004 (5:08 pm)
I was looking into Echo Audio's Mona line of recording devices a few years ago. Looks like they've discontinued them, but they have other models (Gina and Layla.) The think I liked about Echo's products was that you could purchase a PCMCIA adapter for them and work with a laptop. So, if you were trying to capture something outside the studio, you didn't have to lug around your entire workstation rig. The price for the mona was in the $750 range I think. Much under $10,000, but still too much for me to spend at the time.www.echoaudio.com/Products/CardBus/Laptop/index.php
#6
10/01/2004 (5:37 pm)
I researched into this heavily, and DAT is still the best bang for the buck for high quality sounds in the field. I also considered using a laptop, a little more pricey for one with a decent soundcard, but more useful in the long run for an indie.
#7
06/18/2005 (7:03 pm)
Some digital camra's record sound. Although, from what i've seen, rather poorly also. 
#8
Serously, the clarity and detail in my recordings constantly surprises me, and have a pretty critical ear. Go with the DAT, expensive mic, and preamp if you have the money. If not, I think you'll like this option.
06/22/2005 (1:42 pm)
If you don't have the cash for a DAT recorder, a minidisc recorder is absolutely the way to go. I've been carrying an MD recorder with me everywhere I go for years. The little Sony stereo mic is incredibly clear and you can't beat stereo recording for ambient sounds and I'm told that because of it's design there is no chance of phase problems if you decide to merge into mono. It also has two "wideness" settings for more or less ambience. The mic will cost you $100 USD and the recorder a couple hundred (prices vary). There's also a tiny shotgun-type mic that I've always wanted to carry with me too, but never bought.Serously, the clarity and detail in my recordings constantly surprises me, and have a pretty critical ear. Go with the DAT, expensive mic, and preamp if you have the money. If not, I think you'll like this option.
#9
www.minidisco.com/ecm-ms907.html
And an omnidirectional mic. I can't vouch for this one, as I haven't tried it, but it looks promising:
www.minidisco.com/sp-psm-4.html
06/22/2005 (1:44 pm)
Here's the stereo mic, and correction on the price:www.minidisco.com/ecm-ms907.html
And an omnidirectional mic. I can't vouch for this one, as I haven't tried it, but it looks promising:
www.minidisco.com/sp-psm-4.html
#10
i was a bit disappointed with the inherent hiss in minidiscs a while back,
(eg recording with no microphone actually plugged in)
but that's probably only of concern if you're recording very quiet things.
but i got lots of amazing recordings w/ minidisc and a decent mic.
06/22/2005 (3:05 pm)
So there's still no iPod-style devices with good quality ?i was a bit disappointed with the inherent hiss in minidiscs a while back,
(eg recording with no microphone actually plugged in)
but that's probably only of concern if you're recording very quiet things.
but i got lots of amazing recordings w/ minidisc and a decent mic.
#11
You can check www.minidisco.com out, also www.minidisc.org is a good resource.
gokce
06/29/2006 (8:27 pm)
For field recording, I definitely recommend Sony Hi-MD Minidisc player/recorders. Not only they can record in uncompressed PCM audio at 44Khz/16bit (CD quality) resolution, you can also transfer these files to your PC through USB. No hassle, cheap replaceable 1GB media are available at <$5 a piece. Older (Most non HiMD) models do not allow digital USB upload. Be sure to get a model that has MIC input. I am a happy MZ-RH910 user. You can check www.minidisco.com out, also www.minidisc.org is a good resource.
gokce
#12
Here's some things I've been using for remote recording.
Laptop running Nuendo 3, Presonus Fire Pod, Lacie 1TB Firewaire drive. This rig'll get me 8 or so channels into the laptop at 24bit using a terrabyte of hard drive space.
Edirol R4, I can can carry this around in a chest type bag for quick recording or set it down to use more mics. Can record one mic or 4 for 5.1 recording.
Hi MD recorder with shotgun and boom. I can put all this stuff in my pockets and use the boom as a walking stick. Extremly affordable and portable.
I'm planning on buying the lads here at work a bunch of Edirol R9's. Nice little stereo recorders. Check those out. Good bang for the buck.
Sonic
www.sonicvalley.com
07/24/2006 (9:42 am)
Hi guys, Thought I'd throw in some advice for this topic. Dat is pretty much out of date, it's only 16 bit quality, clunky, and a pain in the ass. Here's some things I've been using for remote recording.
Laptop running Nuendo 3, Presonus Fire Pod, Lacie 1TB Firewaire drive. This rig'll get me 8 or so channels into the laptop at 24bit using a terrabyte of hard drive space.
Edirol R4, I can can carry this around in a chest type bag for quick recording or set it down to use more mics. Can record one mic or 4 for 5.1 recording.
Hi MD recorder with shotgun and boom. I can put all this stuff in my pockets and use the boom as a walking stick. Extremly affordable and portable.
I'm planning on buying the lads here at work a bunch of Edirol R9's. Nice little stereo recorders. Check those out. Good bang for the buck.
Sonic
www.sonicvalley.com
#13
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fostex-FR2-Portable-2Track-Memory-Recorder?sku=240342
Not cheap (!!) but very high quality, if you have the cash.
Cheaper but maybe good enough:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Edirol-R09-24Bit-WaveMP3-Recorder?sku=240219
Add on a decent mic and you're good to go.
07/24/2006 (9:58 am)
For reasonable non-DAT field recording, check out:http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fostex-FR2-Portable-2Track-Memory-Recorder?sku=240342
Not cheap (!!) but very high quality, if you have the cash.
Cheaper but maybe good enough:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Edirol-R09-24Bit-WaveMP3-Recorder?sku=240219
Add on a decent mic and you're good to go.
Torque Owner Gonzo T. Clown