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Re: Flash equipment question from a science reporter

Subject: Re: Flash equipment question from a science reporter
From: "Walter Knapp" waltknapp
Date: Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:37 am ((PDT))
Posted by: "Molly Bentley"
>
> I just joined the naturerecording group on suggestion of
> Bernie Krause.  I'm a radio science reporter and thinking of
> updating my recording equipment.  I use a 7-year old
> minidisc recorder, if you can believe it!  I'm thinking of
> investing in a flash recorder.

I use a minidisc recorder, a HHB Portadisc I got when they were first
introduced. Mine came from the first shipment of them to the US.
Compared to that, many of the new flash recorders fall short. Depending
on model, your minidisc can do pretty well.

But if you have money burning a hole in your pocket there are newer
recorders to buy. Personally if I was replacing my Portadisc it would
probably be the Sound devices recorders I'd be looking at. If I wanted a
tiny recorder it might still be minidisc I'd choose. The newer himd type
is quite nice. The biggest problem there is no phantom power and the use
of tiny plugs. So, for the quality mics I use I'd have to cart along a
mic preamp to take care of that, which negates the small size.

> What I need it for:  I don't do nature recording per se -
> most of my recordings are with people (interviews), although
> I often need to include ambient sound and action in various
> locations (ie: dolphins (above water), a walk through a
> forest, a demonstration on a boat...)

I'd include asking in the ENG community. In some ways nature recording
is similar, but not entirely.

Simply put, getting both the interview and ambiance in one take is
pretty tricky. More likely you will want to record the ambiance
separately and mix it in. For really good ambiance you want to go stereo
if possible. For stereo that can mix back to mono well a M/S mic setup
is generally the choice.

> Ideally, the equipment would be be as light as possible - or
> at least quite portable - since I'm often running around
> (outdoors or at conferences).

Generally ENG folks want fairly rugged recorders and the news business
can be rough on equipment.

By portable do you mean over the shoulder portable, or do you want the
recorder small enough to be stealthy?

> In addition, I'd love your thoughts on quality lavalier
> mikes - the last ones I used were 10 years old so I have no
> idea what's out now.  But I'd like to do some interviews
> without having to pass the microphone back and forth!

Lavaliers have not changed much in a long time.

Another idea for interviewing without passing the mic is a figure 8 mic.
  It picks up from two sides so can be placed between yourself and the
one you are interviewing. If the distances are near equal you can get
quite a good recording. They are not cheap mics, however. They also have
the advantage of being one half of a stereo M/S setup.

> These are very basic questions about equipment, I'm afraid -
> I'm sure your discussions are much more advanced!

It's debatable if our discussions are all that advanced. Nature
recording is generally done at greater distances than most other
recording and that's reflected in what we discuss.

One thought, I know a lot of ENG is going to small video cameras these
days for more capability. You should at least think if this is a good
idea for you.

Walt





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