From: "Laura Davids Todd" <>
> CAn you tell me what type of equipment you used to record those little
> critters? Don't be too technical, just tell me if it is a portable
> minidisc recorder, an mp3 player, a cassette deck, or what? and what
> price range?
Please realize I started out as you are, in my more recent recording
efforts over the last 8 years. A Sony MZ-R30 minidisc recorder and a
assortment of cheap mics was what I had 8 years ago. But, I've spent
quite a few years building up my equipment since. It's a expensive
process to get where I am now.
I'm like several others in my recorder recommendation for you. Start
with a consumer level minidisc recorder. You can save some money buying
one off Ebay. Note that the Sony MZ-R30 is probably older than you would
want, though it is a excellent recorder. I'm not that familiar with
models anymore, but definitely like Sony over the other brands of
walkman minidiscs. They seem the most problem free. A place to look
through current offerings:
http://www.minidisco.com/
I use a HHb Portadisc, a pro level minidisc recorder with a list cost
above $1400. I bought this recorder when they were first introduced, to
replace my worn Sonys. After I'd decided I was in this for the long haul
so it was worthwhile spending more.
I record with equally expensive microphones. This started with a Telinga
Parabolic microphone, recording stereo. Cost in the same range as the
Portadisc. It replaced a homemade, mono parabolic mic I'd been using for
a while. Since then I've accumulated a fair set of high end microphones
by watching Ebay auctions, still expensive, but less so than new. The
cost was spread out over several years. You can see my main current
assortment (except for the telinga) on these two webpages:
http://frogrecordist.home.mindspring.com/docs/my_mod_sass.html
http://frogrecordist.home.mindspring.com/docs/my_ms_setups.html
Microphones are the most important part of your kit. Use care in
choosing mics. The mics you can afford at first will eventually limit
you, but hopefully by then you will know enough to plan where you will
go from there. No one mic covers all situations, which is why I have
several. Note I also only record in stereo now. Which increases the mic
cost.
>>>It can be painful at times.
>
>
> Really? They don't bite or anything. I think their song is adorable.
> Wish I'd had them in my backyard!
It is for your ears that they can be painful when in large numbers. I'm
south of the 17 year cicada area, but our locals can more than make up
for that at times. There are times when I get out and immediately put
the headphones on just to protect my ears.
> It's because of my cicada experience that I've decided to check out
> the possibility of recording some other singing insects.
You certainly have a wide variety to choose from. Note that some insects
go up into frequencies above the audio range. If you should get into
recording those, or even ones nearly out of the range, you probably will
have to get into specialist equipment. I'm old enough I don't hear a lot
of insects well. I specialize in recording frogs. Though I do record
whatever sounds interesting.
Walt
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