Sound Advice at DVinfo.net

John Jay · January 23rd, 2003, 10:07 AM

Ok I like to grab sound independently via DAT using a soundman

my old faithful AIWA HD-S1 has packed up so Im in the market for a new DAT portable

preferably with balanced XLR inputs

whats out there? any recommendations?

Jeff Donald · January 24th, 2003, 09:17 PM

Both Tascam and Sony make portable field recorders. What is your budget?

Jeff

John Jay · February 21st, 2003, 04:54 PM

hmm

DAT field recorders are very pricey so

I am seriously considering using my notebook to record sound

If I wire up a stereo mini jack as balanced 2tip 3ring and record stereo in SoundForge through the stereo mic input, I will have normal sound on left and inverted on right which I can later subtract from each other to get the 6db gain with noise cancellation,

plus if I run the notebook in mobile mode I will have four hours on the battery - thus up to four hours continuous recording at full bandwidth 48Khz with a nice big display

my notebook is very quiet from about 2 metres with the advantage of no scratchy sounds when input levels need adjustment

has anyone used their notebook for recording ?

any pitfalls I havent figured yet?

Christopher Go · February 21st, 2003, 07:28 PM

I purchased a Tascam DA-P1 recently, I think the extra cost will be worth it. I know it's not always the best but considering how durable these recorders are you might want to check out eBay for a used unit. Of course, take some time to talk with the owner before buying. But I see that a few have gone for around $600 or so on eBay, which is great considering they are $1500 retail (suggested price is at a ridiculous $2100). Then there is the Marantz CDR300 portable CD burner unit with XLR inputs at around $600 brand new. I've never recorded from a laptop, sorry...

John Jay · February 22nd, 2003, 09:22 AM

Chris

the DA-P1 is a very desireable tool, but to be honest with you the more I experiment with my notebook the more I like the idea of recording direct to it.

I have done some soak tests and found that I can have Soundforge running with some real time DX plugins to give me multiband EQ and a warm compressor and reverb if I want it - all running to the hard drive live.

This of course cancels the need to grab DAT to the hard drive for later sync with the video so there is a workflow benefit too.

Jeff Donald · February 22nd, 2003, 11:28 AM

I think the deciding factor could well be who you record audio for and it's intended use. If everything is to be edited by you, on your computer, then a laptop has some distinct advantages as you have discovered. On the other hand, if the work is to be done on different computers or at a remote location, then you waste time dubbing DAT copies (you'd need to rent a DAT etc.) for your client.

John Jay · February 22nd, 2003, 12:31 PM

Thanks Jeff

I suspect burning off a few CDs would be the way forward in such case, in 80 min chunks

sure would outperform dubbing DAT copies in realtime and a lot cheaper and more universally acceptable

Jeff Donald · February 22nd, 2003, 12:54 PM

I don't think the slight loss of audio quality would be noticeable.

January 23rd, 2003, 10:07 AM	#1
John Jay Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: US & THEM Posts: 827	Sound Advice Ok I like to grab sound independently via DAT using a soundman my old faithful AIWA HD-S1 has packed up so Im in the market for a new DAT portable preferably with balanced XLR inputs whats out there? any recommendations?

February 21st, 2003, 04:54 PM	#3
John Jay Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: US & THEM Posts: 827	hmm DAT field recorders are very pricey so I am seriously considering using my notebook to record sound If I wire up a stereo mini jack as balanced 2tip 3ring and record stereo in SoundForge through the stereo mic input, I will have normal sound on left and inverted on right which I can later subtract from each other to get the 6db gain with noise cancellation, plus if I run the notebook in mobile mode I will have four hours on the battery - thus up to four hours continuous recording at full bandwidth 48Khz with a nice big display my notebook is very quiet from about 2 metres with the advantage of no scratchy sounds when input levels need adjustment has anyone used their notebook for recording ? any pitfalls I havent figured yet? __________________ John Jay Beware *PLUGGER-BYTES*

February 22nd, 2003, 09:22 AM	#5
John Jay Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: US & THEM Posts: 827	Chris the DA-P1 is a very desireable tool, but to be honest with you the more I experiment with my notebook the more I like the idea of recording direct to it. I have done some soak tests and found that I can have Soundforge running with some real time DX plugins to give me multiband EQ and a warm compressor and reverb if I want it - all running to the hard drive live. This of course cancels the need to grab DAT to the hard drive for later sync with the video so there is a workflow benefit too. __________________ John Jay Beware *PLUGGER-BYTES*

February 22nd, 2003, 11:28 AM	#6
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I think the deciding factor could well be who you record audio for and it's intended use. If everything is to be edited by you, on your computer, then a laptop has some distinct advantages as you have discovered. On the other hand, if the work is to be done on different computers or at a remote location, then you waste time dubbing DAT copies (you'd need to rent a DAT etc.) for your client. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 22nd, 2003, 12:31 PM	#7
John Jay Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: US & THEM Posts: 827	Thanks Jeff I suspect burning off a few CDs would be the way forward in such case, in 80 min chunks sure would outperform dubbing DAT copies in realtime and a lot cheaper and more universally acceptable __________________ John Jay Beware *PLUGGER-BYTES*

January 24th, 2003, 09:17 PM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Both Tascam and Sony make portable field recorders. What is your budget? Jeff

February 21st, 2003, 07:28 PM	#4
Christopher Go Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 429	I purchased a Tascam DA-P1 recently, I think the extra cost will be worth it. I know it's not always the best but considering how durable these recorders are you might want to check out eBay for a used unit. Of course, take some time to talk with the owner before buying. But I see that a few have gone for around $600 or so on eBay, which is great considering they are $1500 retail (suggested price is at a ridiculous $2100). Then there is the Marantz CDR300 portable CD burner unit with XLR inputs at around $600 brand new. I've never recorded from a laptop, sorry...

February 22nd, 2003, 12:54 PM	#8
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I don't think the slight loss of audio quality would be noticeable. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors