Portable Recording

[Andy Mee]

Hi,

I need to be able to record interviews out-and-about but don't know what hardware is best. I have been using the built-in mic on a digital camcorder so far.

My uneducated guess is that I'll need some sort of digital audio recorder with two mic inputs and the ability to download to a PC. I work in an educational setting so low cost is important.

Can anyone recommend a portable recorder (brands and models) and suitable microphones available in the UK?

All help appreciated.

[X Pat Radio]

Marantz PMD 660

[Andy Mee]

The Marantz PMD 660 looks great but it might prove too expensive ( retailing about £400 and then having to buy the mics etc).

Is anyone aware of any more affordable options?

[mental-escher]

iRiver recorder/player is cheap, has stereo mic input (you can use a stereo to mono split to get two simultaneous mono mic inputs), and does great noise-free recording. Also PC freindly.

[Andy Mee]

Are all models of iRiver as good as each other or do you have a particular model in mind. What sort of money are we talking about?

Also - what sort of mics would you use with this?

Your help is much appreciated.

[thezashow]

Also check out the mAudio Microtrack and the Edirol R9.

Going the Minidisc route can also work out, but if you can, go for a flash recorder.

Been using Minidisc for awhile now and cannot wait to get my grubby little paws on the PMD 660. :)

[mental-escher]

Are all models of iRiver as good as each other or do you have a particular model in mind. What sort of money are we talking about?

Also - what sort of mics would you use with this?

I have used a 700 series iRiver (~$100) and a $40 pair of lapel mics - works great.

[kurt_eh]

Your best bet is a 700 or 800 series iRiver. They are nearly identical, the only difference between them is the exterior shell, and there are 3 models of each: x90, x95, and x99. The 90 version has a 256 MB memory, 95 has 512, and the 99 is 1 GB.

eBay is likely your best source. http://www.overstock.com is also said to have refurbished models, but only ships to US addresses. The 895/795 models go for around $50-$60 USD.

They're absolutely perfect for podcasting, as they are fully capable of recording with a mic. Many podcasters swear by them.

The new T-series iRivers do record with a built-in mic, but they are not that easy to get to work with an external microphone. You are best to avoid them, and try your hardest to get one of the old 895/795 or 899/799 models.

[texafornia]

I've been using the 700 series iriver and it was great for a while. The first one was ok for a very long time and then it started developing hissing and crackling when trying to use the external mic. I bought a new (refurbished) iriver 790 the other day and it's already doing the same thing. Is anybody else having this problem and have you fixed it? It's terrible and makes the recordings unusable. And no, it's not the mic.

I'm looking at getting an Olympus recorder. Anybody have any luck with using lapel mics with these? Here's a link to one I think will work. http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-WS-200S-Digital-Voice-Recorder/dp/B0009HMR6E/sr=8-1/qid=1159035160/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-5471819-6119938?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

[dcolanduno]

Look on eBay for one of those Merantz... they are worth it man! :)

[MarkJensen]

I have been using the PMD models (still have my PMD201 and PMD222) since the 80's and have never looked back.

These are professional workhorses.

Yes, the 660 is a bit pricey, but my only regret are the other "cheaper" models I tried.

My 660 travels with me now to all the conventions.

Whatever you decide on, I hope you enjoy!


Best Regards,
Mark Jensen
http://www.podsqod.com

[Slone]

PMD 660 - I did a lot of research and like everyone suggested to start with... I came back around to the 660 and have had no regrets.

I've tested the durability of the PMD 660 without protection at -30 in 60-70 winds along the Bering Sea here in Alaska. Covered with Ice and Snow - I got inside and this baby still worked like a charm. It's extreme I agree... It should verify how well it's also built. :)

Yes, the 660 is a bit pricey, but my only regret are the other "cheaper" models I tried.
Yeah Mark... It's nice to have someone who goes through all that for us consumers. ha! It was your show that sold me on the PMD 660

[sneakerfm]

I'm quitte content with my M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96, it's about $350. It's a bit slow in starting up, but it records great sound!
I got it combined with a few microphones:
- Sennheiser MD 42 ($170) (professional reporter mic)
- Audio Technica Pro 24 ($50) (stereo)
- Heil PR-40
- AKG C1000S
- OKM Soundman Classic

Cheaper options I've tried:
- $20 Memo recorder (sony, digital or not) with a decent microphone
- $80 iRiver T30 converted with Australian firmware (for OS X compatibility) and a real sensitive mic and some lavier mics
- $100 MD recorder with a camera microhone (the Audio Technica)

Of all the M-Audio is just wearth you money if you like sound a lot, otherwise, check out the cheaper options.

Other options I'm tempted to try:
- Zoom H4

[Webzu]

Which would you recommend between the M-AUDIO MICROTRACK24-96 and Zoom H-4? The price difference is only $46 and they seem pretty comparable in features and the audio quality sounds great on both via podcasts I've listened using each one.

[sneakerfm]

I'd like to point out the review of the M-Audio MicroTrack (http://www.podcastalley.com/forum/showthread.php?t=134900) I made for the 'Reviews' section of this site. I still use it regulary, it's a nice compact tool with few drawbacks, nice if your budget is not quite enough for the Marantz PMD 660.

[jeffoest]

The iRivers as mentioned before are great for podcasters with a small budget. But I should mention some perspective - remember - it IS cheap. And while it is a great mp3 player - the microphone preamps are noisy and rough. To some extent - you do get what you pay for. For a studio, I wouldn't use a iRiver unless you really are cash-strapped. For mobile, it's probably fine. But even for mobile solutions I'm sure the M-Audio, Zoom or Marantz sound better.

For some listening perspective, we did our last show (show #48 ) using the iRiver and set of Flying Squid lapel mics (really, pretty decent mics). Now compare this quality with our normal studio quality using better microphones pre-amps. (shows #1-#47).

http://www.thisandthatpodcast.com/show.htm

It's ok quality, it's just important to know what you will be getting. I'm finicky and really didn't like the sound of our last show and will go back to our normal studio quality.

BTW - you can listen without downloading the whole show by using the streaming player embeeded in each show listing. To hear the difference, wait until the start music is finished.

[keifer]

The iRivers as mentioned before are great for podcasters with a small budget. But I should mention some perspective - remember - it IS cheap. And while it is a great mp3 player - the microphone preamps are noisy and rough. To some extent - you do get what you pay for. For a studio, I wouldn't use a iRiver unless you really are cash-strapped. For mobile, it's probably fine. But even for mobile solutions I'm sure the M-Audio, Zoom or Marantz sound better.

For some listening perspective, we did our last show (show #48 ) using the iRiver and set of Flying Squid lapel mics (really, pretty decent mics). Now compare this quality with our normal studio quality using better microphones pre-amps. (shows #1-#47).

http://www.thisandthatpodcast.com/show.htm

It's ok quality, it's just important to know what you will be getting. I'm finicky and really didn't like the sound of our last show and will go back to our normal studio quality.

BTW - you can listen without downloading the whole show by using the streaming player embeeded in each show listing. To hear the difference, wait until the start music is finished.

I just got a used one from a friend for free, so I can't complain ... I checked out the differences, and while there is some obvious change in the quality overall it wasn't bad. We're planning on using ours for recording away from our home.

In regards to the mics you used were they the powered cardiod stereo mics?

[dglevy]

For some listening perspective, we did our last show (show #48 ) using the iRiver and set of Flying Squid lapel mics (really, pretty decent mics). Now compare this quality with our normal studio quality using better microphones pre-amps.... I'm finicky and really didn't like the sound of our last show and will go back to our normal studio quality.


i think you would have to use the same mic with the two recorders to do a fair comparison. my hunch is that it's the mic more than the recorder that makes the difference. i used a Sony ECM-MS907 ($75) with an iFP-799 and i thought the quality was very good. (unfortunately, i didn't save the raw files, but the 32 kbps versions are here (http://www.cepr.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10&Itemid=36)). the speaker was often two or three feet from the mic so there was some background noise, but the sharpness was superb.

unfortunately, that iFP-799 was stolen. i replaced it with an iFP-890 -- staggering cheap for what you get! $38 on ebay) -- but was very disappointed to see that one can record only up to 128 kbps. see my post here (http://www.podcastalley.com/forum/showthread.php?t=136089).

[jrosso]

Has anyone tried recording with an iPod with the Belkin microphone connection? My understanding is you can connect a lapel mic to the belkin adapter.

Thanks, jon

[dpeach]

I read a while back that the iPod really limits the quality of the sound file if you are recording directly to the iPod. Something like 8 bit/8 kHz sampling.

I don't know how the Belkin devices actually record to the iPod. If they do the recording and only use the iPod as the storage media, then the quality may be better.

But to answer the specific question of what the quality is like, I don't know.

[Yotto]

Another problem I've heard of with iPods (Haven't tried it myself) is that they "hear" their own hard drive, which can get annoying fast during an interview.

"So, whatsyername, how do you feel about..."
Whirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrr
"...so you should all check it out!"

[halfandhalf]

has anyone tried the Samson H4 portable recorder?

http://podcastacademy.com/2006/08/13/samson-h4-portable-recorder/

[dpeach]

has anyone tried the Samson H4 portable recorder?

http://podcastacademy.com/2006/08/13/samson-h4-portable-recorder/

No, I have not tried it. But if you buy me one I will give it a go for you. I am certain I would like it. I cannot imagine it being a poor solution. Long term, that is my dream machine.