Hey folks - this is a pretty great group you guys have got here. I've list=
ened to many of your recordings and they're amazing. I feel like I've been=
transported to other places!
I know that this group mainly deals with nature recordings but I've been lo=
oking for information on field recording specifically related to =85 captur=
ing environments =85 and not necessarily just birdsong and nature for a whi=
le. That is - perhaps recordings indoors and urban environments. Of cours=
e I would love to capture outdoorsy sounds, too, but I feel that what you g=
uys do takes much more expensive gear that I can afford ... at this time! =
I'll work up to it!
So - here's my question:
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Can you guys help me select a suitable recorder and microphones, please?
***
I've been trying to come up with enough recreational funds to purchase an a=
udio recorder and microphones for years now. I've been blessed this year w=
ith some extra cash so the time has finally come. Thankfully, there are ma=
ny more devices out on the market than there were in the days when Minidisc=
was king =85 or at least royalty of some kind.
I am taking a trip to a few countries in Eastern Europe this summer and I w=
ould like to be able to capture plenty of sounds while I'm there. Basicall=
y, I would like to capture the sounds of a public environment, like, let's =
say a train station or public square. Also, I would like to have the optio=
n to record individual interesting sounds - like machinery or insects or a =
door creaking or a particular car starting or a conversation or something.
I am looking for a recorder that is small (if the device and microphones ar=
e too big I'm afraid I'll be less likely to use them), that doesn't hiss wh=
en I'm recording very quiet environments (probably my most important concer=
n right there), and that is designed well - that is, it's easy to use and w=
on't break or be a pain (I'm pretty set on having a dial for input level).
I'm also interested in buying a quality microphone. This might be a tough =
issue because I've never really owned a good one ever. I used to have a mi=
nidisc recorder back in the day and bad microphones that I used to try and =
record sounds with. Horrible, horrible results. Also, I have no idea how =
to properly go about recording sound in public.
I know a fair bit about sound but I'm not a total master like you guys so y=
ou can go ahead and talk about decibels and roll-off, etc and I will nod an=
d take notes.
Should I get a pair of binaural microphones so I can record discretely? Do=
I really need to get a recorder with XLR inputs? Is it possible to not to=
tally stand out in public with a big black microphone in my hand or on a po=
le or something? Can I have a set of binaural microphones for "street" rec=
ording and maybe a handheld microphone for recording individual sounds like=
a door creaking or machinery or a bush filled with strange bugs?
Total, I'm willing to spend =85 oh, about US$700-US$800 or a little more. =
Is this realistic? I'm in Los Angeles, California, USA.
I've been considering the Tascam DR-100, Sony PCM-M10, Olympus LM11.
The Marantz PMD 661 looks totally awesome but it might be too big. Though,=
if it's truly awesome I would actually buy it.
I don't know about any particular models of microphones.
I appreciate any advice you guys are willing to give me. Thank you, thank =
you, thank you.
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