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Re: Need help selecting a field recorder and microphones :)

Subject: Re: Need help selecting a field recorder and microphones :)
From: "Sean" rastasean83
Date: Sun May 16, 2010 8:16 am ((PDT))
I agree with Rob, the m10 would be the wisest investment for your purposes.=
 the battery life is AMAZING and it has four gigs built in. check out this =
cool feature. say you get a 16 gig MICRO sd card and when its full, the rec=
order will switch over to the internal memory and start recording on that. =
with 20 gigs, you won't have to worry about anything.
record in 24/48 so you can have more headroom.

for mics, I recommend keeping it inexpensive and going with a pair of $80 b=
inaural mics:
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-TFB-2

Plenty of people have been satisfied with them so I think you will too. I w=
ould personally recommend the high sensitivity and if the sounds get too lo=
ud, you can drop the levels down on the m10.

The sony m10 is $270; mics are $80; get a 16 gig micro sd card for about $4=
0; a couple pairs of AA and you're set!

Just remember, the more you record--the more you'll have to edit and weed o=
ut. Just because it is free to record doesn't mean it HAS to be recorded. ;=
)

let us know what you decide!

sean

--- In  "redteamwins" <> wr=
ote:
>
> Hey folks - this is a pretty great group you guys have got here.  I've li=
stened to many of your recordings and they're amazing.  I feel like I've be=
en transported to other places!
>
> I know that this group mainly deals with nature recordings but I've been =
looking for information on field recording specifically related to =85 capt=
uring environments =85 and not necessarily just birdsong and nature for a w=
hile.  That is - perhaps recordings indoors and urban environments.  Of cou=
rse I would love to capture outdoorsy sounds, too, but I feel that what you=
 guys do takes much more expensive gear that I can afford ... at this time!=
  I'll work up to it!
>
> So - here's my question:
>
> ***
> 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=
 audio recorder and microphones for years now.  I've been blessed this year=
 with some extra cash so the time has finally come.  Thankfully, there are =
many more devices out on the market than there were in the days when Minidi=
sc 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=
 would like to be able to capture plenty of sounds while I'm there.  Basica=
lly, 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 opt=
ion 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 =
are too big I'm afraid I'll be less likely to use them), that doesn't hiss =
when I'm recording very quiet environments (probably my most important conc=
ern right there), and that is designed well - that is, it's easy to use and=
 won'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 toug=
h issue because I've never really owned a good one ever.  I used to have a =
minidisc recorder back in the day and bad microphones that I used to try an=
d record sounds with.  Horrible, horrible results.  Also, I have no idea ho=
w 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=
 you can go ahead and talk about decibels and roll-off, etc and I will nod =
and 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 =
totally stand out in public with a big black microphone in my hand or on a =
pole or something?  Can I have a set of binaural microphones for "street" r=
ecording and maybe a handheld microphone for recording individual sounds li=
ke 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.  Thoug=
h, 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, than=
k you, thank you.
>








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