Thank you for your reply. I will try to address the key issues you
raised in order.
MD recorders seem to present an irresistably cost-effective option.
They are very cheap on eBay. Unfortunately, good secondhand mics are
not as common. I am hoping for a pair that will run off the voltage
supplied by the MD mic socket (no phantom), are moderately
directional, and priced below $50 each. I suppose I would like to
visualize a graph showing where sound quality drops off most sharply
with descending price.
I am interested more in gobal ambient sounds, not specific or
isolated bird calls, etc. I will be continually on the move and would
like to be able to set the equipment up within 5-10 minutes. Most MD
recorders will accept "AA" cells, so I would carry an adequate supply
for the time away.
Given the overall acquisition cost of the above, I am also wondering
if a flash memory recorder with built-in mics might be a preferred
solution. Some of the newer ones, such as the Zoom H2 and Marrantz
660 seem enticing. What kind of results are nature recordists
achieving with these devices and how does the sound quality compare
with MD and cassette?
I know this is a bit subjective, but I hope you can see enough to
offer some specific advice, perhaps on the simpler and cheaper end of
acceptability. Then I can learn more with experience upgrade, if necessary.
Best regards,
Peter Nielsen
> > ...Would someone with field experience in this area kindly provide a
> > brief "checklist" of the most cost-effective and reliable methodology
> > for achieving results that would suit a serious amateur?...
>
>Peter, I think your question is reasonable, but the answer will take a
>lot more information about your interests, plans and budget. It's sort
>of like asking, "What's the best camera to take on my vacation?" The
>answer will be different for different people, and different vacations!
>
>Your budget will narrow the choices. Recorders ranges from a few
>hundred dollars to many thousands. Ditto microphones. You could
>spend $100 or $10,000 on equipment.
>
>The type of sounds you hope to capture makes a difference, too. You
>mention bird song, waterfalls and sounds of the forest. A "serious
>amateur" might want different microphones, set up in different ways,
>for each of these scenarios.
>
>How portable should the equipment be? You mentioned camping. Will you
>be away from civilization for days, weeks? This makes a big
>difference in the battery power needed to keep your gear running.
>Will you set up camp and take day trips, or will you be moving all
>your gear every day?
>
>Do you want a recorder that will enable you to quickly capture the
>sounds you experience along the trail? Or are you able to take time
>to stop, set up your gear, and wait for the right time to record?
>
>My purpose is not to discourage your question, just to request
>additional details.
>
>--oryoki
>
>
>
>"While a picture is worth a thousand words, a
>sound is worth a thousand pictures." R. Murray Schafer via Bernie Krause
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
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