--- In Christopher Sharpe
<> wrote:
>
> Dear members
>
> I have just rejoined the list after several years of absence - a lot
of time away from email made it hard to keep up with the messages,
fruitful as they were! Since the welcome message asks for background,
I am a biologist resident in Venezuela since 1988. I have worked
throughout Latin America in conservation as well as leading specialist
tours. My interest in recording relates to bird vocalisations, both in
the context of census work and for enjoyment (pure recordings). I have
a large library of recordings from this region.
>
> In this instance I wondered if anyone can comment further on the
Edirol R-09 as a recorder for bird sounds. I have read all the
archives here already. The recorder looks useful, but my two main
doubts are:-
>
> a) the mini-jack rather than XLR for external mic. Minijacks are
usually a weak point for mic input and this seems to be no excpetion
with the Edirol - several people experience the mini-jack failing rapidly.
>
> b) pre-amp noise. Is the R-09 too noisy for recording bird sounds
for any other than ID purposes?
>
> I would be grateful for any comments on the subject or pointers
towards a better recorder. Is there anything lurking on the horizon
that might solve these problems?
>
> Many thanks and happy recording!
>
> Chris
>
> Chris Sharpe
> Caracas, Venezuela
>
> Send instant messages to your online friends
http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
>
>
Hi
The mini-jack can be prone to failure, but if used sensibly can give
many years of trouble free use if not a lifetime. Many of my
headphones use the 3.5 mm stereo mini-jack and they have survived many
hundreds if not thousands of insertions and are still working, sockets
and plugs.
I find that those mini-jacks which are gold-plated are best for
microphone use as they seem to suffer far less with noisy / crackly
connections. I also use a 'socket saver' this is a short lead with a
mini-jack plug one end and a mini-jack socket the other. You can leave
this in the machine all the time and just plug the mic in and out of
the socket on the lead. Which will prolong the life of the machines
socket. Take a look here for instance:
http://www.felmicamps.co.uk/products/felcablesandadap.html
I am currently using a Sony MZ-NH900 with a Sennheiser K6/ME66
short-gun mic and find that noise is not a problem. The Sony has very
good mic amps and the Sennheiser has quite a low self noise and a high
output. I record in linear PCM mode, 44.1Khz 16 bit. Then Using the
Sonic Stage software I can download my recordings to computer and have
them converted to wav's, ready to edit. The K6 powering module can be
powered by either an internal AA battery or by phantom power. I tend
to use the internal battery to save on carrying extra phantom power boxes.
Sony have just released a new and rather good Hi-MD machine the
MZ-RH1, well worth a look.
Some people use the Telinga microphone system and find it 'better'
than a short-gun mic. Ultimately the choice is a personal one.
Here are a few links:
Sony MZ-RH1:
http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowArticle.action?article=3D1143471806570&site=
=3Dodw_en_GB
Sennheiser K6 system:
http://www.sennheiser.co.uk/uk/icm.nsf/root/products_sennheiser_microphones=
_k6
Telinga system.
http://www.telinga.com/
Also take a look at Rob Danielson's excellent web site:
http://www.uwm.edu/~type/audio-art-tech-gallery/
And while you are there take a look at his section on mini-disc's:
http://www.uwm.edu/~type/audio-reports/HiMD/index.htm
Hope you find the above useful.
Phil
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