Audio recording device for film photographer

vincentbenoit

vincentbenoit

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Am toying with the idea of recording ambient sound while photographing, to produce audio slideshows.

Would appreciate any advice and first-hand experience as to what type of equipment is best suited for the task.

Has to be small, lightweight and easy to use - if it gets in the way of taking pictures I just won't bother.

Cheers

Vincent
 
The only I can think of, is a small meeting recorder, all on Digital memory,
Sony, Olympus and Panasonic make them. They have software to produce MP3 files of the recordings..
Quality.... it was meant for a meeting. But, may produce adequate sound
 
One of the Zoom audio-recorders would definitely do the job, plus an external microphone maybe. I have been wondering about these things too, for a trip in the Summer. It will be interesting to see what anyone has actually used successfully.
 
zoom makes a few. i use the h2 and it is very, very competent.

edirol and tascam make a few. the edirol r-09 is very common amongst journalists.
 
iphone or (i whatever) sadly are not up to any lengthy recording. it (recording) drains the battery very quickly.
 
I use a Zoom H4n for recording interviews and with a proper mic the sound quality is superb. I use it with a corded Audio Technica AT831b lav mic. For run-and-gun shooting, a lot of pros use the Rode VideoMic shotgun mic. If you don't want to record sound separately and you have a camera that allows you to disable the AGC, a good preamp like the JuicedLink is highly recommended. It bolts to the bottom of the camera and allows XLR mic input and far greater sound quality control.

There's a really good discussion of your options on B&H's HDSLR online guide here: http://hdslr.bhphoto.com/Home.php?cm_sp=HDSLR-_-HDSLR`Guide-_-HDSLR`Go2Guide
 
I just realized that I was in the rangefinder forum when I wrote that response. Assuming that you're not using a DSLR, then external recording with a Zoom is the best option. You can clip it to your belt and use a small shoe-mounted shotgun mic. You will still have to sync it up in post, so some sort of clapper will also be needed
 
the Sony PCM-D1 looks kind of nice but comes in at Yen 192,700 (GBP 1,475)... I think there are less expensive digital recorders around ;-)

Casey
 
One of those little pocket digital recorders would probably do, like DNG suggested. Always handy to have when talking to the cops too. Just in case.
 
How come you specify that you are a film photographer? Do you need analogue sound? :rolleyes:

I have played with two different recorders, zoom h2 and a bigger fostex unit. The zoom had some background hissing going on, but was very nice to work with and extremely small. The fostex was heavier and demanded an aux. mic, but the files were sooo much nicer.
 
If I'm on the cheap I use my iPhone to record short bursts of sound (under 5 mins) or an Olympus ws-210s for longer periods and I want the option of using a microphone. Since these are not direction remember that it is going to pick up the sound of your camera, even a Leica...
 
Get what lots of newspaper photographers get for this purpose -- my paper uses a Zoom H4 recorder. Terrific device, fairly simple to master and produces great files.

There is a smaller version, costing about a hundred dollars, that is reported to give terrific results in an even smaller package (even has dual mikes) but I haven't used it myself.

Consider some program to manage the sound as well...Audacity is a fine start. iMovie, Final Cut or even an oldie but a goodie, Soundslides, can help you put it all together, too.

Best of luck!
 
+1 for the Zoom H4n. Tried one of these and was very impressed with the quality of the sound played back on my computer. Ran a noise and pop reduction and it was pristine compared to other records I have tried. I will be getting one shorty as well.
 
iPods will also record, with an accessory mic. I have a little stereo unit that just plugs into the bottom of my 5G iPod.
 
A Zoom H2 is all you need (the H4 is nice, but will you REALLY notice the difference in sound quality when the sound is accompanying photos and meant to be background noise? probably not).
 
M-Audio makes the Microtrack II. Will take two microphones, balanced or unbalanced, as well as phantom power.

Then you need one or two really good microphones.
 
If what you want is the ambient atmosphere of the scene, don't put a microphone in your hot shoe where it will get yanked around all the time pointing in different directions.

Instead, wear a good set of binaural in-ear microphones. On the higher end suggestions would be the Soundman OKM or the (discontinued) Sennheiser MKE-2002, on the lower end you can find things like the Microphone Madness BSM-8.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far. Will look into the Zoom H2 to start with.

Cheers

Vincent
 
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