Sami Karjalainen wrote:
> Many thanks for all of you who gave me advice how to start recording
> grasshoppers and bush crickets.
>
> Rich Peet suggests laptop recording. Yes, I could start recording with a
> laptop. I think I don't have to carry my recording equipment a lot, so I
> don't need greatest portability. Used laptops are not expensive, but what
> kind of soundcard is needed for high quality recording? Are those expensive
> for laptops? I suppose a soundcard with mic-in is needed?
>
> I found out that Creative has external USB soundcard (
> http://www.soundblaster.com/products/extigy/ ) with reasonable price (less
> than USD150). But it is probably too much to carry and not a simple system
> if I have a laptop, an external soundcard and a microphone.
For laptops, upgrading sound usually means something external, and the
USB interfaces are about the best way to do that. Of course that means
you have to have a laptop running a newer os with the newer USB. Earlier
PC's seem to have all kinds of problems with USB. You might want to
consider one of the newer mic pre's that output USB. That way you are
combining two functions. With a simple USB soundcard you will probably
still need a mic pre.
Laptops are a problem as a field recorder. They were not designed for
that, they are more like equipment designed to be carried between desks
in offices all shut down and dismantled. In bright sunlight it's a
problem to even see the display. They have short battery life,
especially the older ones. And they are big and fairly delicate. There
are those who seem to love the idea, but I don't see very many actually
doing it on a full time basis.
Remember, low price for a soundcard or anything else usually means there
are compromises somewhere. Be sure and investigate the sound quality.
That is what you should focus on, try not to be choosing by price
without checking if you are after quality sound.
I see no way you can do walking portable with a laptop running. One or
two hands occupied just carrying the laptop. Where are the hands for
adjusting controls, carrying and aiming mics and so on. And that's not
even counting the interface parts. As a field recorder I'd expect them
to be limited to recording from a microphone on a stand by the practical
problems. And in the wetlands where I record they would also have to
have their own separate support, they don't take kindly to water. You
could not have them on the mic support without a large investment in
suspension to isolate the mic from the vibration of the hard drive. I
suppose you could use the mic tethered by a long cable hand held.
At least with insects they tend to stay put for long periods, so you
have time to make multiple trips to set your equipment up.
Walt
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