I use a pair of PCM D50s for field recordings. They've been doing great for
years. I also have a PCM D1 that is very fickle, sometimes gives out on me,
and is not my favorite. (Anyone want to buy a D-1?) With a 16gig disk and 4
new AA batteries I can leave the D50 recorder out in the evening and retrieve
it the next day with 16 hours of sounds. I purchased a square foot of
microphone foam and cut and super-glued it into a D50 sized box. I slide the
recorder into this foam box for wind protection and cover the whole thing with
some thin fake fur. This cuts most wind noise but not high winds. It also
doesn't eliminate raindrop pounding sounds if rain strikes the recorder. For
good sounds in the rain you will need to have something above that will not
make weird sounds when struck by rain which will also protect the recorder
completely from the water.
I'm currently working on frogs and toads. The D50 works well if placed 1-4
meters from the sound source, although it captures sounds from further away.
Place your recorder to capture a nice stereo ambience if possible. I tend to
set the record level at 6-7, then boost it further in the studio if needed.
I used to have three recorders but one disappeared one night along the Mexican
border. I suppose a coyote or immigrant walked off with it in the night. You
might need to find ways to hide or camo your equipment, putting it into stealth
mode.
Kevin Colver
On Oct 20, 2013, at 6:25 PM, wrote:
> Anyone know what all-in-one recorder has the lowest noise floor which can be
> used for pro-audio?
>
> I am a one man team when comes to recording. I don't have the luxury to spend
> a lot of time setting up my equipment and carrying a lot of extra gear. A
> tripod, batteries, the recorder, and some sort of wind screen is all I am
> usually able to bring. I record low ambient sounds and noises in nature,
> cities, and anywhere else I am lead too.
>
> I currently have been using an Olympus LS-100 with it's on-board mics, I
> think the recordings mostly turn out well, but am hoping to find something
> with even less noise for recording.
>
> I know most here are familiar with the reviews from wingfieldaudio.com. The
> Sony PCM D50 currently is listed as the lowest noise all-in-one recorder.
> Problem, this recorder is already 5 years old and has already hit it's end of
> life support from Sony, but if it's the best for this class then it will have
> to do.
>
> I know the Sony PCM D100 is out in other places then the US, but at a $1000
> or more, it's too much out of my price range at this time.
>
> I know Zoom isn't known for quite recordings, but anyone know anything about
> the Zoom h6 with it's on board X/Y mics? Zoom claims the H6 now has an
> "ultra" low noise preamp, but I have yet to see any data to prove or
> dis-prove this. The Upside is the H6 is a new model and has room for me to
> grow with XLR connectors in the future if I ever go in that direction.
>
> I appreciate anyone's thought's or opinions to this.
>
>
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