Michael P. Moore wrote:
> From: Michael P. Moore <>
> Date: Wed Aug 27, 2003 9:12:47 AM America/New_York
> To:
> Subject: Re: [Nature Recordists] Need alternative to Bias Peak
>
> Thanks Walt,
>
> For some reason I never considered transferring the tracks one at a
> time. It seemed like many of the subjects go across several tracks.=20
> But, I guess it is easy enough to splice them together. I was just
> setting Peak to record and then walking away so I didn't giggle the
> cables (I have gotten some noise if I continue to use the computer
> while transferring the files). Why can't we mount the Portadisc on the
> desktop?
I use the time I'm transferring to preview the recording, decide what I
want to do with it. I also use it to recheck my field card on the
recording. It's important to go back and listen critically to what you
record.
The minidisc is in a format quite similar to a CD. The digital
connection of the Portadisc is in a format for streaming audio. Neither
of those are standard computer things. I don't find it any problem that
my field recorder has to be handled the same way as Cassette or DAT in
getting sounds into the computer.
If you have several sequential tracks that are the same site and you
want them one file, then record just those tracks into a single file.
You are not required to stop at each track mark. I generally keep each
track independent and combine in peak later if I wish.
Recording unrelated site recordings into a single file sounds like
asking for lots of headaches later. Track by track will result in each
file being smaller, easier to handle.
I take it you are using analog transfer from the Portadisc? If using
digital I've never had any problems with the stream getting extra noise
introduced. However, I don't do other things while transferring, I want
to concentrate on listening to the recording.
> I will try to do one at a time. Now, how to keep them all organized? =
> Do you assign a number and then enter the corresponding data? Right now
> I can just open a Peak file that corresponds (in my mind) to a certain
> period of time or location. I can type in a species name and then peak
> snaps right to it. My problem seems to be with this one minidisc. I
> have had no problems with others I have done this way. But I think I
> will do what you have suggested, I don't want all of those IDs to
> disappear again.
When I start a blank disk in the Portadisc I name the disk using the
portadisc's titling. The name starts with the year, followed by a
sequence number for that year. I don't bother to name the tracks in the
portadisc as they are automatically numbered. In the portadisc display
the name would look like, say: 2003-012 for the 12th disk in 2003.
Note this would allow me to record 999 disks in a year, in reality I've
never got even near 100, but it's there if I ever do. Every time I
record I fill out a field card that includes a block for the track
number. My minidiscs are archived, and I don't edit them, except for
occasionally erasing a track just after recording it because it was
messed up somehow.
When I transfer the track to a computer file I continue with a similar
naming convention, but add the track number, thus: 2003A012-005.aif
would be the name for the 5th track of the 12th disk of 2003. The reason
for the A in the number is I use a similar organizational system for my
photographs, those would have a P there. Once I've transferred the
tracks, I consider the computer file the "original" and would only go
back to the minidisc archive if I lost all backups.
My field card information get's entered into my Filemaker database. In
fact the Filemaker form looks very much like the card. The data entry
has pop up menus and spell checking lists to keep down entry errors.
That is searchable for things like species and so on, any of the info
entered can be searched. I also transfer my Filemaker database into my
Palm Tungsten C to have it available back in the field. I could enter
the data directly into the palm rather than a card, but I don't like to
trust critical info only to a computer. The field cards, like the
minidiscs get filed away.
Note my index system is not tied to minidisc, if sometime in the future
I move to a different recording format it's easily adaptable.
> I am intrigued by these music programs (like itunes) that let people
> keep all the data attached to the sound file. It seems like such a
> slick system. A database that is built to accommodate sound files. I
> just can't find any program that lets you define the fields.
The problem with such things where you keep attaching files is that in a
few years you have this awful monster to deal with as you continue to
accumulate files. It's much better to keep the files independent so you
can move them around and archive them separately. And use a proper
database program to maintain your data.
Some swear by the use of metadata that's recorded into the files, but
it's so poorly supported I don't want to get trapped having to do
programming just to check some data. So, I don't use it.
> Finally, where is this date stamp on the Portadisc? Where does it show
> up?
When playing a track in the portadisc, hit the display button. It goes
through several displays, including showing you the time and date stamp
for that track. Make sure your clock is set right in the Portadisc and
check it once in a while. Because you are playing a audio stream and
recording that when you transfer into the computer, the time and date do
not transfer. Your file will have the time and date you did the transfer.
> Sorry for so many questions. I am going back to PNG in a couple months
> so I am anxious to get all the bugs out so when I come back I can
> catalogue everything while it is still fresh in my mind.
It's very important to get a cataloging system that can handle all your
recording through the years. Having to go back a redo a catalog system
you have outgrown is a huge pain. I made that error with my slides many
years ago. Think it over carefully, think about cataloging thousands of
minidisc recordings, or at least many more than a lifetime of recording
can do. That will keep going with you. Most of the systems that get
promoted are for dabblers that don't do much. Definitely don't try to do
it in your memory.
Walt
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