Subject: Re: [linux-audio-user] portable recording device
From: Malcolm Smith (spock_AT_canopus22.demon.co.uk)
Date: Wed Dec 12 2001 - 23:22:22 EET
In message <20011212195616.GA1858_AT_rem.dhs.org>, Ben Saylor
<bsaylor_AT_macalester.edu> writes
>This doesn't pertain directly to Linux; hope it's not too offtopic..
>
>I'd like to get some kind of small, portable recording device which I'd
>use mostly for capturing environmental sounds in various places to use
>in music, hopefully even making binaural recordings. It should have
>decent fidelity (especially low noise), have a capacity of more than,
>say, 30 minutes, stereo, and allow connection of external microphones.
I use a Tascam DA-P1 portable DAT recorder for this. Works great! Has
XLR mic inputs with phantom power for proper microphones, as well as
S/PDIF i/o. Is pretty rugged and the rechargeable battery packs last for
about 90 minutes (they're expensive though, i.e. 60 pounds each here in
UK). The price of this unit has almost halved in the past year to about
800-900 pounds, which is much less than the seriously pro machines with
SMPTE costing 3 grand. Needs special (costly) Tascam PSU/charger though.
I use a pair of AKG C1000s, which are neither portable nor hi-fi; I'm
saving for a pair of DPA 4061 miniature omnis for binaural :-)
The smaller Sony Walkman TCD7 and TCD8 are OK, better than minidisk, but
can't use XLR microphones. Cheaper to run, using standard batteries, and
cheaper to buy, about 400 I think.
Check out www.core-sound.com/ for all things binaural and portable!
>Digital transfer of the recording to a computer is not essential -
>analog transfer is acceptable.
>
Sonifex make a thing called the Courier which records direct to PCMCIA
flash memory, which you can then stick directly in a (compatible)
computer for instant editing. It also has a modem so you can connect a
mobile phone and beam your sounds/interviews back to base. Costs more
than DAT though, may be overkill.
>So far, a minidisc recorder seems to be the main option. Can anyone
>comment on the sound quality of these - both the encoding format and
>ADC/DAC? Which brands are good? Are there any other viable options?
>
Marantz make a professional portable minidisk recorder, the PMD650, for
about 800 pounds, similar in spec to the Tascam DAT, but still limited
to MD lossy compression format :-(
The consumer minidisk recorders I've used were a bit fiddly to work
with, and it's real easy to erase something or not record at all.
Setting record levels is a pain too. It depends on your needs. They are
good in that they can fit discreetly into a pocket and are much less
noticeable if stealth is what you want.
Good luck, see you in the mountains...
-- Malcolm Smith
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