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sound recorder device Q

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sound recorder device Q

Hi,
I wish to record sound this time but not through my PC because of noise.
Is there a portable inexpensive (< $200) digital device akin to the the old cassette recorders in that I can take into a quieter room and then upload the sound to my computer later.
Ideally I would like something that perhaps stores the sound and burns them onto CD within the device, then I could take it to my PC. I couldn't stand another peripheral with wires and software but if it's the only option I guess I'd have to.

Anyone know?
Thanx in advance

If you already have a firewire connectable DV camera, that can be one solution, though you still have to really set up your environment well. Once you get the sound recorded on tape you can capture the video via firewire and pull the sound from it by rendering it out or using a program like Sound Forge.

Another solution is to get a Sony MD Walkman. This plays and records on MiniDisc at pretty good quality. Trouble then is you still have to capture it by running analogue cable from the headphone output to your PC and work out a level for capture that works.

If the room where your PC is located is a good sound room, just cover it with a blanket or a pillow. Use a quality unidirectional mic with a pop screen.

I'm sure you know this, but it's also good to pad the room and its corners if possible with foam or other deadening objects.

Cartoon Thunder
There's a little biker in all of us...

..........
If the room where your PC is located is a good sound room, just cover it with a blanket or a pillow. Use a quality unidirectional mic with a pop screen.
.............

That's a good suggestion and a tempting one. The room in my non-audiophile knowledge is good an can be quiet. It's the rest of the house with kids and summer going-on's and people opening the door, "Whatcha doin'". Then if I do it at night, I don't want to make too much noise. The portable idea I thought I could be in my car in the garage during the wee hours and not disturb or be disturbed.
The fella at A & B sound store says they have guys who work there who also have bands and they reccommend this for recording sound:

http://www.iriveramerica.com/products/iFP-880.aspx
apparnetly because it is made for music the spoken voice quality is higher than those memo recorders.

WHaddya think? anyone?

Cheap digital recording device? What about an MD console? They must be quite cheap these days. Even *I* managed to buy one!

But usually, the noise comes from either the microphone or the cables or the preamp. Be sure to check all of these. It's easier to record with a good mike and bad capture equiopment than doing the opposite.

You can also reduce or eliminate noise via software. Cool Edit Pro does it beautifully.

Cheap digital recording device? What about an MD console? They must be quite cheap these days. Even *I* managed to buy one!

.................

Daniel,
what's an MD console?

oh yeh, "mini-disc". never mind.

Epilogue

I'd decided I 'd go for a better dynamic mic and did. But either it was too sophisticated needing its own power supply and external controls or my sound card isn't capable of taking it. It picked up sound but way loud and distorted. Truning the recording volume down didn't help; just quiter and distorted and I don't have time to become a sound expert. ANyway, I've decided in the meantime I will use my cheapie. It doesn't sound that bad after all this.....as "bad' as an LP.
I called Iriver which was reccomeneded by the audio store and the rep said was hesistant on sound quality saying it was okay for lectures and taking memos and such as far as quality.
But my research tells me if I have the budget a Sony md would be the way to go. Portability appeals to me (any room I want) more than trying to make the computer's office into a sound proof booth (piling pillows on the desk). And I was really convinced when after a search I found that our Canadian Broadcasting uses SOny MDs for their audio documentaries.

So enough scewin' with sound....back to animating hopefully.
Thanks.

I've been working out some sound on a few projects here at home. So far I've had a friend record me at his house using his equipment, but sometimes I need something to work fast.

I'm curious what Microphones you find are best for recording dialogue, with minimal background hiss.

Also, is anyone out there recording on Digital Mini Disc, then binging it into the computer digitally? So far I've had to import via a cable from the headphone out on the DMD to the mic or line in on my computer, but my new computer has a pretty lame sound card. I'm thinking there has to be a way.... Ideas?

Cartoon Thunder
There's a little biker in all of us...

Hi Rupert

You could try a program called sound edit 16. I have used this for simple voice over recording for my animations. You speak into a mic and you have some efects to improve the quality or resonance of your voice, like reverb. That is puting it really simply, It has done what I have required and possibly can do more. I save the recording as an aiff or a wav and then import them to director, final cut pro etc.. If you are on a Mac you could probably download something from the apple site. Even imovie has some sort of recording capability I think you could use.

Hope this helps. :)

Of course, you could always hire me...

Graphiteman--

Sometimes it's easier to ask someone who's already equipped for sound recording to help you out than to jump through the hoops of getting yourself set up.

I've spent the better part of this year upgrading my home studio, and in addition to a brand new recording console, I have a great sounding microphone, and Adobe Audition to edit it all together in. Plus, a ton of fully licensed music and sound effects tracks to put the finishing touches on it.

I also do a fair number of character voices.

If you're interested, drop me a line.

ab

abvox: Voice and Sound Design Services
abVoices.com

Stop the press!

So, there's a guy who is complaining that his Sony MD cannot upload to computer, or that is isn't a standard feature... He is aradio journalist for BBC. now, he had not, at the time he posted his bitterances, talked to his boss about the problem. But here are somethings I learned from folks responding to him:
-faster than real time transfers to PC MD recorders are $2000+... (I did not research the price)
-Why not use the Head Phone jack as an out to the computer... Radio Shack!
-the iPod can be fitted with voice recording device(S) and is transferable to PC. as a matter of fact a number of Rueters reporters use just that.

Now everyone may have their own solution... but that's something I thought might be helpful.

I myself, surrounded by 24/7 free sound effects and a looney sense of sound... would love portability. But plugging into the computer and using a noise reduction tool in an audio package is perfectly good. Audacity is a free program and very reliable. I use sound forge and Cool edit pro.

I think I've gabbed enough.

hope that helps or entertains.

ciao,
MicahToons

"Giggety-giggety-giggety-giggety-giggety-Gah!"
~Glen Quaggmire. (Family Guy)

Oddly enough, that does help.

Nice to know I can stop twisting my brain for a way to upload from the MD via USB and do it the way I have for several years--via the headphone jack as you mention. I got a new HP this year, however, and the sound card is crap compared to the blaster on my old Pentium 2. Sorta dirts the sound input from a variety of sources. Sound card can be replaced, however....

thanks!!

Cartoon Thunder
There's a little biker in all of us...

Best no cost sound recording studio: A walk-in closet full of clothes. Make sure the floor is covered with carpet, an old bedspread or something. The clothes really deaden the echoes. A laptop or an extension cord and you are in business. (Unless of course you do all your computer work in the closet to thwart government agents from stealing your ideas like I do.) :)

Alan

Get some "Good Advice" at http://www.decksawash.net

Many of the lower end MP3 players now have a built-in mic or an input jack. I just got one of these for under $100 and the record quality is pretty good.
Truly Pic'n'Roll

new USB super mike

Samsontech claims its new Samson CO IU USB Studio Condenser Microphone does away with the need for pre-amps and converter boxes:

http://www.samsontech.com

I dunno if it works but my filmschool grad pals are considering it.

[I]I'll work 10 hours a day for $350.

Andreas does the photoshop posters for Paramount, gets $700 per day at 7 hours plus an hour off for lunch.

You do the math as to which is a better deal.[/I]

bump.......

...we must all face a choice, between what is right... and what is easy."

Thank you, Abvox.

I've come down with a slight case of procrastination. When the time comes when I get my poop together (maybe when kids go back to school [manana, manana]) . At that point I'd have to ask myself how serious I take this project and where am I going and is it worth the money for the skilled excellent service you'd provide.

Been to your site before. AM very impressed.

Wow, thanks!

Wow, I'm flattered, thank you!

Keep us posted on your post-procrastination-progress. :)

ab

abvox: Voice and Sound Design Services
abVoices.com