What is the best portable recording technology?

seraph · Last edited by seraph on Sat Sep 04, 2004 10:08 am; edited 1 time in total

my answer is "a laptop and an audio interface"

mosc · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 10:01 am Post subject:

This is interesting for some high end stuff: http://production.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=25410

I have an old portable DAT but I'd not recommend these as DATs are too fragile. Seems like MINIDISK is a good technology in that the recordings are pretty good, it is robust and the equipment is cheap. This isn't "hifi" though, but probably good enough.

elektro80 · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 10:03 am Post subject:

Perhaps you should add "solid state" to the list. Those are fast becoming extremely popular.

elektro80 · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 10:07 am Post subject:

And what about my portable Ferrograph and Uher reel-to-reel machines??

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seraph · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 10:09 am Post subject:

elektro80 · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 10:15 am Post subject:

Isn´t this one mighty cute?

The Fostex FR-2 solid state field recorder.

http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/products/fr2.shtml

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Records to innovative PCMCIA 1.8" hard disk drives and Type II Compact Flash
Industry-standard BWF format. Stereo/mono selectable
Up to an 'industry-first' 24-bit 192KHz recording in the field

The new Fostex FR-2 has been designed specifically for location sound recording; high quality sound effects acquisition; TV & radio documentary; in fact any application where quality audio recording is required.
With excellent quality (up to 24-bit / 192KHz recording - a first for a CF recorder), huge feature list and a cost-effective price point, the FR-2 offers users of portable DAT and other formats the opportunity to make the switch to a more flexible, higher quality audio acquisition machine without sacrificing features.

Excellent Audio Compatibility
In adopting the BWF Broadcast WAV file format, the FR-2 offers what is now the most popular choice for professional recording. It can be set to record mono or stereo files with 16 or 24-bit quantisation over a vast range of frequencies from 22.05kHz for extended recording time up to 192kHz for the highest quality audio acquisition. Transferring files for editing and/or backup is fast and simple via a Compact Flash reader attached to a computer; a PCMCIA slot and/or a CF adaptor - ideal for those editing with a laptop; or indeed the on-board USB port.

elektro80 · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 10:58 am Post subject:

Reel-to-reel is out anyway. The last time I actually used portable reel-to-reel gear for field recordings was probably in 80s for some underwater hydrophone stuff. Hmm.. and I guess I recorded some trains and stuff a year later.

jksuperstar · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 11:01 am Post subject: Hi-MD

The new Minidisc format (see www.minidisc.org) Hi-MD can record all the prior formats of MD, but can now also record straight PCM (ie-wav files). They can hold 1GB on 1 disc. These can be uploaded digitally, too (finally). Put your own preamp on it, and it can very bad ass. MD is very much used in the broadcast industry. MD just has that option of cheap removable media...solid state is nice, but it's relatively expensive to capture LOTS of sound.

Another option is an addition to a PDA. Can't find the link for it right now, but it's a combo SPDIF input CF card, with a Preamp/AD external. So I guess this counts as Solid State. But you can have other things running on the PDA, like wave editing, frequency analysis, etc. There's o-scope programs out there, too.

Oskar · Joined: Jul 29, 2004 Posts: 1730 Location: Norway

It's all according to your specific needs, isn't it? If you need to rcord "background ambience" you shouldn't be too fussed about recording quality, in which case an MD or even a PDA would be suitable. I don't know about the iPod, but doesn't the top of the range Creative mp3 jukebox (the 60 GB job) have a recording facility too? Another advantage to all these gizms is that they're not as liable as, say, a laptop with a soundcard and stuff to get entangled in yer limbs while going out on a limb to make that groundbreaking field-recording of an aggressive eagle, protecting its young. Oh, and aren't some of those new DV cameras also endowed with decent (PCM) sound, so you could take that and one of those stereo Sony mikes (or similar) in an even more practical package - your loved ones will be able to watch those agonising last seconds before you're bundled out of the tree by an irate eagle. Twisted Evil

seraph · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 1:48 pm Post subject:

it all depends on what we mean by "portable": if I have to record an orchestra inside a church is one thing, if I have to record "an aggressive eagle, protecting its young" is another matter. On the first case I would prefer multiple inputs either through a laptop/audio card system or HD recorder, or digital tape recorder (ADAT, TASCAM-88/38/98 ), on the latter case stereo inputs and a sturdy solid state recorder are more suited for this task....and that's explain my vote: I am not the type of guy that goes after field recordings of screaming eagles. Am I making myself clear Question

mosc · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 2:37 pm Post subject:

Carlo, thanks for the explaination of your vote, but it's not really necessary. If you wish to change your vote, rest assured, I was born and raised in Florida and I'm perfectly capable of going into the data base and making this poll come our any way we want. Twisted Evil

jkn · Joined: Mar 14, 2004 Posts: 469 Location: La Porte, IN, USA

Excuse me sir, is that a hanging chad in your database? Reindex that file. Thank you.

The new minidisc format is pretty nifty looking - I love my (older) minidisc for it's portability - though it's not extremely high quality sound.

The folks: http://www.phonography.org generally know their field recording equipment. I used to be on the mailing list - but dropped it (too many lists, not enough music making... I trimmed down the forums and lists I check...)

Oskar · Joined: Jul 29, 2004 Posts: 1730 Location: Norway

Mohoyoho · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 11:33 pm Post subject:

seraph · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 7:14 am Post subject:

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 7:23 am Post subject:

Oskar · Joined: Jul 29, 2004 Posts: 1730 Location: Norway

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 7:42 am Post subject:

OK...!

mosc · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 8:10 am Post subject:

Didn't you guys hear about the crooked elections in Florida? You know, the one where Bush's campaign manager was the official in charge of elections, and his brother was the governor. You know, the one were there was "absolutely no bias". Don't you guys get any news up there in Reindeer country?

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 8:16 am Post subject:

Of course we did. Just kidding!

Oskar · Joined: Jul 29, 2004 Posts: 1730 Location: Norway

Oskar · Joined: Jul 29, 2004 Posts: 1730 Location: Norway

Mind you, if the box office records for "Fahrenheit 9/11" are correct, seems like quite a few Americans feel their minds are being boggled beyond endurance. And Letterman seems to get a few laughs from his frankly slanderous treatment of President Bush. Twisted Evil

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 8:30 am Post subject:

David Irving? As far as I know, he hasn´t really been saying that.. exactly.. it is more like:

" The Holocaust kind of happened.. in a way.. but not quite.. and it was very very very humane.. and the real sick bastards were the Allies..."

I think one of Irving´s fantastic insights is that the all the missing jews were burned to death in Dresden by the Allies. He can still be hired by the Bush Junta. Talented copywriters are always in demand.

seraph · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 10:18 am Post subject:

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 11:14 am Post subject:

OT? Us! That cannot be?