user237428934
User deletion pending
Hi,
I thought about experimenting with photo slideshows and mixing original sound from the scene to it. Now my question: does anyone has a recommendation for a small sound recorder? Found the Olympus LS-5 that is not big, has very good stereo microphones but is quite expensive. Any other ideas?
-tom-
I thought about experimenting with photo slideshows and mixing original sound from the scene to it. Now my question: does anyone has a recommendation for a small sound recorder? Found the Olympus LS-5 that is not big, has very good stereo microphones but is quite expensive. Any other ideas?
-tom-
tanel
Established
Hei!
I've been thinking about the same thing for a while now. Before I could buy a sound recorder I went off to Milan for few days.
I used a p&s to record both sound and video.
While the quallity isn't that great at all, I liked the overall idea and result.
I think it's not neccesary to spend that much amout for a sound recorder if you're just using it to record backgrounds for slideshows for family/youtube.
If you're going to do a project, then yes, I would reccomend a recorder with better quality and stereo function.
The vide/sound slideshow of my experimentation can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dzkXHy-UEE
I've been thinking about the same thing for a while now. Before I could buy a sound recorder I went off to Milan for few days.
I used a p&s to record both sound and video.
While the quallity isn't that great at all, I liked the overall idea and result.
I think it's not neccesary to spend that much amout for a sound recorder if you're just using it to record backgrounds for slideshows for family/youtube.
If you're going to do a project, then yes, I would reccomend a recorder with better quality and stereo function.
The vide/sound slideshow of my experimentation can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dzkXHy-UEE
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
The Olympus is more like a glorified dictaphone, and beyond that very popular with newspaper journalists - the tagging options come in very useful for that. But in terms of audio quality and for plain field recording it does not do anything more than a Zoom H-1 at half the price. Personally (with a day job as a radio station manager) I'd rather recommend something in the class of the Zoom H-2 or Alesis Pro Track - these are price wise not that far off the LS-5, but a bit better in mic quality, and feature professional type inputs so that you can wire up quality lapel mics and the like.
Beware, it is like photography - towards the top the quality improvements get increasingly smaller and you'll have to move disproportionally more cash - Neumann microphones are as expensive as Leica lenses...
Sevo
Beware, it is like photography - towards the top the quality improvements get increasingly smaller and you'll have to move disproportionally more cash - Neumann microphones are as expensive as Leica lenses...
Sevo
user237428934
User deletion pending
Nice approach to mix film and stills. Perhaps I'm just an average photographer but i'm a lousy filmer
And I would like to use a dedicated recording device without filming.user237428934
User deletion pending
I looked at the Zoom H-2 and it has 2 microphones to both sides. With that I could put it in the side-pouch of my photoobag and record in stereo while I can take photos. This seems to be an advantage over the LS-5. Don't know if it will work.
I'm in doubt if I should invest so much money because I don't know if I will like the result. But starting with a cheap one and upgrading later is not a good idea either.
GoneSavage
not actually
It's hard to beat the zoom hand held recorders for the price. I have an h4n and love it. It's larger than the H2, but it sounds better (I don't hesitate to use it for studio recording). It costs about $350.
maclaine
Well-known
I will agree with the others in this thread and say that you should not skimp out on a portable recorder. The H2 is a great option for an excellent price for what it is. Anything less expensive and you will be disappointed and end up upgrading anyway.
Also, regarding your idea about carrying it in your bag while recording, I would caution you against this. My normal job is as a sound designer, and I spend a lot of time dealing with this kind of stuff. Small field recorders are very susceptible to picking up noise as you handle them. It can be quite loud and boomy, and getting rid of it can be an enormous pain in the ass, even for a professional. Your best bet is to use a small tripod or place it down on a surface pointing at what you want to record when you're using it. I know it limits your mobility and speed, but trust me, it will make things much easier in the long run.
Also, regarding your idea about carrying it in your bag while recording, I would caution you against this. My normal job is as a sound designer, and I spend a lot of time dealing with this kind of stuff. Small field recorders are very susceptible to picking up noise as you handle them. It can be quite loud and boomy, and getting rid of it can be an enormous pain in the ass, even for a professional. Your best bet is to use a small tripod or place it down on a surface pointing at what you want to record when you're using it. I know it limits your mobility and speed, but trust me, it will make things much easier in the long run.
mackigator
Well-known
I have the Edirol R-09; I've used it for nearly 3 years. I also work with someone who uses the Zoom H2. The flaw in the Edirol is the glowing orange record button (bad for stealth) and a flimsy battery cover. The Zoom works fine and would make you happy. Also look hard at the two newer Sony's, the M10 and D50.
The D50 is the one I would buy if shopping again.
If you want to create usable work, don't skimp on the recorder. Seriously.
Decision points picking a particular unit: How large is the unit? Truly pocketable? Do you really need XLR inputs? How good do you need the onboard mics to be (answer: very important)? Can you read the mic levels and work the basic controls with external buttons? Is the battery life good enough? Reliability reports?
Search here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Portable-Digital-Recorders/ci/14934/N/4294550618
"Audio with bad video is radio. Video with bad audio is ****."
The D50 is the one I would buy if shopping again.
If you want to create usable work, don't skimp on the recorder. Seriously.
Decision points picking a particular unit: How large is the unit? Truly pocketable? Do you really need XLR inputs? How good do you need the onboard mics to be (answer: very important)? Can you read the mic levels and work the basic controls with external buttons? Is the battery life good enough? Reliability reports?
Search here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Portable-Digital-Recorders/ci/14934/N/4294550618
"Audio with bad video is radio. Video with bad audio is ****."
delft
Established
I like my M-Audio microtrack. It can record stereo sound in CD-quality, accepts external microphones, supplies phantom power if needed, but can also work with a more simple mike, and record MP3.
Dirk
Dirk
Damaso
Photojournalist
The Zoom H1 rocks. It's small and has great mics and is only around $100
user237428934
User deletion pending
Hey guys, thanks for your feedback but it's getting more and more expensive. First the h4n, now the Sony D50. Those are definitely out of reach.
maclaine
Well-known
If you've got the money, the D50 is definitely the way to go. I have one, and it travels with me every day inside my bag (right along side my M2, in fact). It sounds great and is built like a tank.
user237428934
User deletion pending
That's more the price region I am looking for. I will take a closer look tomorrow.
Pablito
coco frío
I like the Edirol.
Gathering sound is not easy, you have to know what you are doing. You want a unit that has good, easy to read, meters. And headphones unless you need to be "invisible"
Sound gathering cannot be done well while shooting stills unless you have an assistant to work the recorder. You still get the shutter sound. Wind can be a problem, and you cannot have the recorder in a pocket unless you use an external microphone.
Gathering sound is not easy, you have to know what you are doing. You want a unit that has good, easy to read, meters. And headphones unless you need to be "invisible"
Sound gathering cannot be done well while shooting stills unless you have an assistant to work the recorder. You still get the shutter sound. Wind can be a problem, and you cannot have the recorder in a pocket unless you use an external microphone.
Pablito
coco frío
Yeah, very good for the money.
RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
Funny. I was just looking at these last week. Check out the Sony PCM-M10. Supposedly, excellent quality, and it's not too bad, price-wise.
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literiter
Well-known
-Consider the M-Audio Microtrack ii for recording.
-Mix the audio on the computer.
-Transfer to a cassette deck like the Teac Tascam 133, which can synchronize the audio to a slide projector dissolve like the Clearlight, Kodak, AVL Dove, etc.
-Use Elmo or Kodak Ektagraphic slide projectors with good lenses.
Go nuts!!!
ampguy
Veteran
looks good Ray
looks good Ray
I might go for one of these when/if my current portable breaks.
looks good Ray
I might go for one of these when/if my current portable breaks.
newsgrunt
Well-known
It's a beast but the Zoom H4n really is a great unit.
keepright
matthew
I bought the Sony D50 for creating my own audio to accompany my still photography, and it's worked out very well even though I haven't done nearly as much work with it as I anticipated.
(Sample video, one minute long, with audio recorded in a visit to a museum: http://www.vimeo.com/9282603)
I've also used the D50 to record a recent wedding that I was in, and it gives a consistent audio track for me to put the various video and still images on top of. Really great stuff.
…but my experience has been that it's very difficult to capture audio and stills in a single outing. (Obviously, they can't be done simultaneously in the same area, unless you're using a silent compact digicam.) Photography requires curiosity, investigation, movement, and timing; audio needs patience, forethought, and stillness. I can do either one, but can't do them both together.
(Sample video, one minute long, with audio recorded in a visit to a museum: http://www.vimeo.com/9282603)
I've also used the D50 to record a recent wedding that I was in, and it gives a consistent audio track for me to put the various video and still images on top of. Really great stuff.
…but my experience has been that it's very difficult to capture audio and stills in a single outing. (Obviously, they can't be done simultaneously in the same area, unless you're using a silent compact digicam.) Photography requires curiosity, investigation, movement, and timing; audio needs patience, forethought, and stillness. I can do either one, but can't do them both together.