Subject:Portable voice recorder

Posted by: DanAyo

Date:6/26/2002 6:21:46 AM

I need to record voice with a portable recorder. We would like to get good quality as we will use this in streaming audio via the web for our marketing presentations.

Any and all suggestions appreciated,
Danny Ayo

Subject:RE: Portable voice recorder

Reply by: Chienworks

Date:6/26/2002 8:06:59 AM

#1 - get the microphone CLOSE to the speaker. Place the recorder on the podium if possible, but put it on a soft pad to absorb any vibration or fist pounding.

Subject:RE: Portable voice recorder

Reply by: briand

Date:6/26/2002 9:33:06 PM

Is this a query for advice on hardware, technique, or some of both?

If you don't have a "portable device" yet, I'd go with an MD recorder. If you want to go high enough $$ wise you can get either MD with digital out or portable DAT, but for most projects such as this just transferring the analog from MD -> PC will probably do.

Somebody else can cover mics...

Subject:RE: Portable voice recorder

Reply by: Spirit

Date:6/27/2002 12:19:36 AM

A standard small pocket tape recorder with a good mic would probably do just as well depending on what quality you're going to end up streaming.

Subject:RE: Portable voice recorder

Reply by: DanAyo

Date:6/27/2002 6:07:59 AM

Thanks for the input.

Quality vocal (spoken) audio is the goal. The recording shouldn't last over 30 minutes.

Danny Ayo

Subject:RE: Portable voice recorder

Reply by: rraud

Date:6/28/2002 6:47:19 PM

As Cheinworks said: Get the mic close! That's the most important.
There's a sh--load of ways to get good audio. Putting a portable with a cheap built-in mic on the podium is not one of them.
A wireless or wired lavalier mic gaffertaped just behind the podium mic (to avoid plosives) is a quick easy and ok way, feeding a portable DAT, MD or hard disc.
My preferred way is, and assuming there is a good quality podium mic feeding the house PA, ie: Shure SM57,58 ect. is to use a mic splitter, feeding the above formats. This way also keeps any camera people present happy. No podium clutter. You could also tape or place on the podium a second good quality mic to the existing house PA mic if no one would object visually.
A good recording will hold up much better though data compression/streaming and multible generations, ect. A poor recording won't.
Yes, the portable MDs sound great for this kind of work and are pretty cheap.