Small Hi-Quality Portable Audio Recording Device
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Posted on Sep 07, 2006 10:22 am
MJ
Member Since: Sep 07, 2006
Hi all.
Need something small and portable, of moderate price, battery operated, that records studio-quality sound, and has standard phantom (48v), to record outside, in my car, or simply in my room without the sound of the computer coolers and fans.
Candidate No. 1: M-Audio Microtrack:
www.m-audio.com/products/...k2496-main.html
Problem: only 12V phantom, not too compatible.
Candidate No. 2: Marantz PMD660:
www.d-mpro.com/users/folder.asp
Problem: the sound seems not to be too professional.
Anyone has any experience/advice?
Thanx in advance...
Martin
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pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Sep 07, 2006 04:15 pm I'll throw out, that I don't remember seeing any hand-held portable things with 48v. That would be quite a trick to voltage double up to 48v. It would only last a few minutes, I'd think.
If you have to have 48v, then I'm thinking you'd have to have an external power supply. And to get that, you're running back into the 'stuff' problem.
I use a laptop, with a tascam us-122. That may be more involved that you want, but figured I'd throw that out there.
There's also the minidisc players / recorders, with an electret mic, but you may want better quality than that. Though the one I had produced very good sounding results. ymmv
Sorry I couldn't be more help, just didn't want you to think we were ignoring you =).
Welcome to HRC, anyway.
Hope you get some input.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Sep 07, 2006 09:40 pm Here is one short discusion with a link on the Marantz unit. It is really a reporters type recorder. But there are modifications that can be done to up its fidelity.
Here is the link.
www.homerecordingconnecti...11282&frm=6
Sep 12, 2006 01:31 pm PJK, how are the pres on the tascam soundcard you use? Because I'm thinking of headnig in that direction (laptop and sound-card)...And have you had any portability issues?
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Sep 12, 2006 02:09 pm I've been pretty happy, I haven't done much 'studio' type recording, as I've had PC based setup for that type of stuff. I got the us122 when I had nothing else but a laptop, so I could still putz around with music. (house fire). Now I've got my studio equipment replaced, so I use the US122 for mobile recording.
Most of what I'm doing now is to record mobile. I recorded our fieldstock last year, and this year both. Fieldstock is an outdoor local music fest.
FS2005 was done with my laptop, us122 and some cheap samson mics (R11, i think). Listen to the two songs in my music gallery, for example of outdoor recordings with this setup.
I also recorded the HRC promo (also in music page) with my laptop and us122, using a studio projects C1 LDC mic for the vocal reading. I always record at 24bit, and 48khz.
I wish I had more experience and diversity to draw upon, but I can only convey what I know so far.
In my opinion, I think the US122 is a great solution for semi-mobile recording. You still have to set up the laptop, device, microphones, and power, if longer than a few hours. But this is still better than a full PC solution. I also think it is slightly better than the minidisc recording I did with a ECM907 microphone. The MD recording was quite good, but I think the laptop/us122 solution is better.
This year's fieldstock recording didn't turn out as well, even though I used better microphones (2 x sm57). I think I was too much off axis from the stage, and lost some of the clarity, and high end. I'll post a sample of it, but I haven't gotten to cleaning it up yet.
I do have to state, though, that some people have real problems with the US122. Colonel Sanders from this forum is one, i believe. He's had problems with the line out. I haven't used the line out, as I only have used the headphones, or plug computer powered speakers up to it (headphone jack). On harmony central, there's a lot of reviews going both ways, very good, or very bad.
I ended up buying one new from ebay (160$) and seem to have lucked out. No real issues, and very good sound.
hth.
Nov 18, 2006 07:56 am was thinking of using a car that tree linked to an ihp iriver recorder to get the Phantom Power
Feb 22, 2007 08:54 am Avoid the M-Audio Microtrack 24-96. Very poor in my humble opinion and your money could better spent. I have just got an iRiver iHP-120 of eBay. Upgraded the operating system to Rockbox (.org) that adds masses of functionality aimed and the field recording artist. Worth a lokk for sure.
