sound recording at DVinfo.net

Andrew Davies · March 21st, 2008, 05:13 PM

I'm looking for a cost effective sound recorder for background audio of things like bird calls, waves on beaches etc. and can remember a number of years ago that the Sony Minidisc was a good option for recording background audio. Is there a solid state equivalent around today?

Andy Davies

Grant Sherman · March 22nd, 2008, 01:34 AM

Hi Andy,

I'm also looking for a low cost sound recorder. I came across the website for the Wildlife Sound Recording Society a couple of days ago:

http://www.wildlife-sound.org/

The have a newcomers guide and recommend a few things. The one I'm looking at is the Sony MZ-RH1. It's a HiMD Minidisc system and retails for around £200.

Grant

Annie Haycock · March 23rd, 2008, 02:16 PM

I have an Edirol R-09 solid state digital recorder. It isn't cheap at £300 here in the UK, but will record uncompressed wav files or compressed mpg files, each is date and time stamped, and can be copied directly to the computer. Its built-in microphones seems to do a good job, but you also have the option of attaching any other microphone via a 3.5 jack. It is easily pocketable, and very light weight.

I've had two mini-disc recorders - one was straightforward to use, the other is beyond me and I've never successfully recorded anything with it - it's just too complicated. But the recordings are always compressed.

Dave Rosky · March 24th, 2008, 09:15 PM

I have a Tascam Pocketstudio 5 that I use for things like this, but it is a discontinued product, and it is also overkill for just recording. Tascam now makes a smaller unit called the DR-1, which has built-in microphones as well as inputs for external mics. It records in both MP3 and WAV format to SD and SDHC cards.

The built-in mics could make this unit particularly convenient for certain uses like capturing background sounds, and recording to SD media means it would be completely silent.

http://www.tascam.com/products/dr-1.html

Don DesJardin · March 25th, 2008, 12:20 AM

If your camera has a half way decent mike, just do what I do, push the record button, give a brief description of your "sound bite", and roll off any length to suit. Capture it like you would video, and use a free program like Media Coder to strip the audio out of your the video file. Using a few minutes of video tape isn't a big deal. You can also use an external quality mic, if your camera has an external mic in. Sure beats carrying a bunch of extra audio recording gear around. That's what I have done in the past with the XL1, and now with the XL H1.

Annie Haycock · March 25th, 2008, 12:06 PM

I have plenty of clips like that - sometimes just pointing the camera at a pleasant scene for the duration.

Peter Rhalter · March 27th, 2008, 02:18 AM

The Sony MZ-RH1 has quieter preamps than practically any prosumer camera, so it's a better choice for ambient sound. If nothing else is available, than the camera's own sound system is the ticket.

Best,
Peter
www.parkfilms.com

Hugh Mobley · March 27th, 2008, 09:17 AM

Have you looked at the Samson H4 zoom

March 21st, 2008, 05:13 PM	#1
Andrew Davies Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wales Posts: 104	sound recording I'm looking for a cost effective sound recorder for background audio of things like bird calls, waves on beaches etc. and can remember a number of years ago that the Sony Minidisc was a good option for recording background audio. Is there a solid state equivalent around today? Andy Davies

March 22nd, 2008, 01:34 AM	#2
Grant Sherman Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lundy Island, UK Posts: 175	Hi Andy, I'm also looking for a low cost sound recorder. I came across the website for the Wildlife Sound Recording Society a couple of days ago: http://www.wildlife-sound.org/ The have a newcomers guide and recommend a few things. The one I'm looking at is the Sony MZ-RH1. It's a HiMD Minidisc system and retails for around £200. Grant __________________ www.returntickettonature.co.uk

March 23rd, 2008, 02:16 PM	#3
Annie Haycock Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales Posts: 734	I have an Edirol R-09 solid state digital recorder. It isn't cheap at £300 here in the UK, but will record uncompressed wav files or compressed mpg files, each is date and time stamped, and can be copied directly to the computer. Its built-in microphones seems to do a good job, but you also have the option of attaching any other microphone via a 3.5 jack. It is easily pocketable, and very light weight. I've had two mini-disc recorders - one was straightforward to use, the other is beyond me and I've never successfully recorded anything with it - it's just too complicated. But the recordings are always compressed. __________________ Canon XH A1; Canon XF100; Nikon D800

March 25th, 2008, 12:20 AM	#5
Don DesJardin Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ventura, California, USA Posts: 255	If your camera has a half way decent mike, just do what I do, push the record button, give a brief description of your "sound bite", and roll off any length to suit. Capture it like you would video, and use a free program like Media Coder to strip the audio out of your the video file. Using a few minutes of video tape isn't a big deal. You can also use an external quality mic, if your camera has an external mic in. Sure beats carrying a bunch of extra audio recording gear around. That's what I have done in the past with the XL1, and now with the XL H1. __________________ Don DesJardin

March 25th, 2008, 12:06 PM	#6
Annie Haycock Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales Posts: 734	I have plenty of clips like that - sometimes just pointing the camera at a pleasant scene for the duration. __________________ Canon XH A1; Canon XF100; Nikon D800

March 24th, 2008, 09:15 PM	#4
Dave Rosky Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Grass Valley, CA Posts: 165	I have a Tascam Pocketstudio 5 that I use for things like this, but it is a discontinued product, and it is also overkill for just recording. Tascam now makes a smaller unit called the DR-1, which has built-in microphones as well as inputs for external mics. It records in both MP3 and WAV format to SD and SDHC cards. The built-in mics could make this unit particularly convenient for certain uses like capturing background sounds, and recording to SD media means it would be completely silent. http://www.tascam.com/products/dr-1.html

March 27th, 2008, 02:18 AM	#7
Peter Rhalter Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 192	The Sony MZ-RH1 has quieter preamps than practically any prosumer camera, so it's a better choice for ambient sound. If nothing else is available, than the camera's own sound system is the ticket. Best, Peter www.parkfilms.com

March 27th, 2008, 09:17 AM	#8
Hugh Mobley Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Placentia, Calif Posts: 549	Have you looked at the Samson H4 zoom __________________ Hugh Mobley www.petplanetvideos.com http://exposureroom.com/members/hmobley.aspx/