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Re: Introduction and request for equipment advice

Subject: Re: Introduction and request for equipment advice
From: "Bob & Sandi McLean" birdbrainbob
Date: Thu Jun 2, 2011 8:31 pm ((PDT))
Peter,

It may not be the finest, but it is fine.  Try the Zoom H2 at $149 in
your shirt pocket and a pair of $10 earphones for the best starter
recording kit for getting solid ID recordings with no fuss.

Bob McLean
Sonoma, CA



On Jun 2, 2011, at 7:32 PM, Peter Shute wrote:

> I live in Melbourne, Australia, and I currently have no recording
> equipment, other than my compact camera and my phone. I've used
> these to make near worthless recordings of birds for id, and I'd
> like to improve my results. I know very little about sound gear, and
> I'm hoping I can get some advice on what to buy.
>
> I don't want to make a big initial investment, as I don't want $1000
> of gear lying around if it turns out I'm not that interested, or
> don't find it that useful.
>
> After reading this list's archives, and lots of websites and forums,
> and playing with a friend's Zoom H1, I decided it would be best to
> go for an Olympus LS-7, and think about an ME66 later. I chose the
> LS-7 because it's cheaper than an LS-10 or 11, and seems to do most
> of the same things, but has a 2 second prerecord and some timer
> functions, neither of which I know if they'll be useful.
>
> But now that I'm trying to buy one, I find that I can't find one in
> a local shop for a decent price. I can get one from the USA on eBay
> for about AUD$200. I've only found one shop claiming to sell them,
> for $300. One shop said they aren't imported to this country, and
> quoted $600 for an LS-11. Both suggested I'd have no warranty if I
> buy on eBay.
>
> Another place didn't have them, but has the Zoom H4N for $340 (and
> scoffed at the idea of stocking Olympus "dictaphones"). I think I'd
> rather have that than pay $300 to get an LS-7 with a local warranty.
> It's a bit big, but phantom power sounds useful, and 4 track
> recording sounds like fun. It also has a 2 second prerecord buffer.
>
> - Is buying an LS-7 with no effective warranty much of a risk?
> - Does anyone know where to buy one in Australia with a warranty?
> - Is the H4N as good as the LS series for bird call recording? It
> seems very oriented towards music recording.
> -Is it as easy to use?
> - One advantage of Olympus recorders was that lots of people use
> them. Are there as many using Zooms? It's nice to have a lot of
> people to ask for advice.
>
> Peter Shute
>
>










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