Walter and I obviously have different feelings on recorders.
Most laptops have a mono mic input. If you desire to record mono
with a laptop, one such as a Toshiba 233mhz Satellite records fine
and the fan has yet to ever turn on. If you want a higher sample rate
than 44.1 and stereo then yes, you do need an external device. You
will find prior posts on some in the archives. I am packing for Vera
Cruz so will catch you all when I return from birding.
--- In Walter Knapp <> wrote:
> 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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