Audio Recording at DVinfo.net

Martin Weilmeier · May 11th, 2004, 12:03 PM

I have an AT4073A mic that I use with a DVX100A. I'd like to do some audio-only recording with this mic and was wondering if there's a good solution to do this that doesn't require spending a lot more money. Right now I'm using the DVX to record the audio, pulling it into an NLE and extracting the audio for processing. It's free, but it takes a long time. Is there a better way? I would need something that can provide phantom power and record digitally at a 44kHz sampling rate or higher. Is there anything simple that can do this or am I entering the world of specialized (i.e. expensive) audio applications?

thanks,
martin

Jay Massengill · May 11th, 2004, 03:32 PM

The least expensive way to do what you want is probably the M-Audio MobilePre

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOMOBILEPRE

This would give you phantom power and would let you record directly to the computer.
If you wanted a backup of the recordings, they could be burned as data files to CD-R or DVD after you trimmed them.

If you don't want to record directly to your computer, then a phantom-power and USB-equipped (or firewire) mini-disc, flash card, or hard-drive recorder would be needed.

You could also use either a small mixer or your camera as the front end for an audio CD recorder. Then rip the tracks into the computer's CD drive. That's not as fast as drag and drop, but it's still pretty fast and you already have the hard copy of the originals. It would be limited to 44.1k though.

Martin Weilmeier · May 11th, 2004, 07:18 PM

Thanks, Jay. The MobilePre looks like a reasonable solution, but requires a computer to do the actual recording. In this case, however, I could also use the video camera and use the FW link to attach to the computer, right?

Are there any options for self-contained recording units using either CF, hard disk, or CD-R that don't cost an arm and a leg (but still provide phantom powered XLR inputs)? My guess is the answer is "no", and I'm better off going down the laptop route, but I just wanted to check.

thanks,
martin

Jay Massengill · May 12th, 2004, 09:12 AM

Yes, the MobilePre requires a computer for USB power, unless someone has come up with a device that can provide power to the USB connector without interfering with other communication signals on the port. There are other interfaces that can run with their own power supply and don't have to be hooked to a computer.

I have not experimented with capturing just audio from a live camera Firewire feed. I think you would have to use a capture program (as opposed to an audio recording program) that could just capture audio only. Most have the ability to capture video without the audio but I'm not certain which can do audio only.
You could always go analog out from the camera if your computer's line-level sound inputs were clean.

Yes, if you have phantom powered XLR's and the ability to drag and drop files, that puts it at least up to $350 for a mixer and low-end recorder, $500 to $600 minimum for a complete standalone unit.

May 11th, 2004, 12:03 PM	#1
Martin Weilmeier New Boot Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 6	Audio Recording I have an AT4073A mic that I use with a DVX100A. I'd like to do some audio-only recording with this mic and was wondering if there's a good solution to do this that doesn't require spending a lot more money. Right now I'm using the DVX to record the audio, pulling it into an NLE and extracting the audio for processing. It's free, but it takes a long time. Is there a better way? I would need something that can provide phantom power and record digitally at a 44kHz sampling rate or higher. Is there anything simple that can do this or am I entering the world of specialized (i.e. expensive) audio applications? thanks, martin

May 11th, 2004, 03:32 PM	#2
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	The least expensive way to do what you want is probably the M-Audio MobilePre http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOMOBILEPRE This would give you phantom power and would let you record directly to the computer. If you wanted a backup of the recordings, they could be burned as data files to CD-R or DVD after you trimmed them. If you don't want to record directly to your computer, then a phantom-power and USB-equipped (or firewire) mini-disc, flash card, or hard-drive recorder would be needed. You could also use either a small mixer or your camera as the front end for an audio CD recorder. Then rip the tracks into the computer's CD drive. That's not as fast as drag and drop, but it's still pretty fast and you already have the hard copy of the originals. It would be limited to 44.1k though.

May 11th, 2004, 07:18 PM	#3
Martin Weilmeier New Boot Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 6	Thanks, Jay. The MobilePre looks like a reasonable solution, but requires a computer to do the actual recording. In this case, however, I could also use the video camera and use the FW link to attach to the computer, right? Are there any options for self-contained recording units using either CF, hard disk, or CD-R that don't cost an arm and a leg (but still provide phantom powered XLR inputs)? My guess is the answer is "no", and I'm better off going down the laptop route, but I just wanted to check. thanks, martin

May 12th, 2004, 09:12 AM	#4
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Yes, the MobilePre requires a computer for USB power, unless someone has come up with a device that can provide power to the USB connector without interfering with other communication signals on the port. There are other interfaces that can run with their own power supply and don't have to be hooked to a computer. I have not experimented with capturing just audio from a live camera Firewire feed. I think you would have to use a capture program (as opposed to an audio recording program) that could just capture audio only. Most have the ability to capture video without the audio but I'm not certain which can do audio only. You could always go analog out from the camera if your computer's line-level sound inputs were clean. Yes, if you have phantom powered XLR's and the ability to drag and drop files, that puts it at least up to $350 for a mixer and low-end recorder, $500 to $600 minimum for a complete standalone unit.