Mini-disk recorder for voice-overs

I'm doing a project that is using a good bit of voice-over. What
recommendations does anyone have on a good mini-disk recorder and mike
for such work? I'd appreciate any commentary on this subject.

 

"Robert" wrote ...

Seems like an oxymoron that you have a project that needs
"a good bit of voice-over", but you are seeking a very low
budget solution?

These are the kinds of things I would take into consideration
before deciding on equipment. You don't have to reveal any
of them here, but the more we know the more precice you can
expect the responses to be...

1) What kind of production?
2) Production total budget?
3) Voice-over setup budget?
4) Recording conditions? (Interior/ideal, exterior in a
boiler factory, on the lam from the law, horseback, hot
air baloon, submarine, peak of Mt. Everest, etc. etc.)
5) Narrators? (Male, Female, amateur, pro?)
6) Content? (Scripted, ad-hoc, real-time, etc?)
7) Length? (30 sec each, 30 hours each?)
8) Desired quality? (Pristine anechoic studio, "actuality"
from locations, run-n-gun news, etc.)

 

Maybe we understand oxymoron to mean something different! Anyway, here
are the answers to your several questions...

OK. Does that help? I'm looking forward to what you have to recommend.

 

"Robert" wrote ...

Just pointing out that it would seem logical that the budget
for capturing the voice-overs should be commensurate with
its importance to the production.

Sounds more than adequate for a good setup with...
Recorder
Microphone
Monitoring headphones
Mic stand, cables, etc.

So you can likely use a conventional mic(s).

If you were doing high-quality, some mics sound better
on male vs. female, etc. Some are more forgiving of
amateur usage, etc.

So likely sit-down sessions. Not practical to just hold the
mic (as for a short "news shot" type clip)

I would consider using...
* iRiver iHP-120 [$350 street price]
* Shure 58 or Audix OM2 microphone [$100-200]
* Sony MDR-7506 headphones [$100]
* Mic cable/adapter (XLR to mini-phone), stand, etc. [<$100]

Alternately, you might consider a clip-on "lapel" mic
if that is appropriate for the situations you are recording.

You really don't want to record to a compressed format like
MP3 or ATRAC (used on MD). Many people have reported
problems with subsequent processing and compression of
source material that uses lossy compression.

The iRiver has a 20Gb hard drive, enough to hold many
hours of recording. And it can be quickly downloaded
into your computer via USB for editing. IMHO an ideal
combination of fast/cheap/good.

 

Thanks!

 

Richard,

I have been considering using the iHP-120/140 for capturing audio
(probably on-subject with lav mic) and later syncing to video.
(prefer this to wireless lav into camcorder). If it works, I agree it
seems a great quality, value, ease-of-use etc.

(btw, The new hi-md's i am reading although they do allow transfer to
PC without decoding to analog in realtime, there is no current
software to convert the captured file to a .wav file! supposedly
"software to burn an audio cd" which could be used for this is "coming
soon".)

I have a couple of concerns prior to purchase maybe you can clarify:
1. the iHP120/140 has a "line in" that folks appear to plug regular
(or low powered) microphones into. Does this work and why?
2. some have reported "glitches" or "lost samples" in ihp120/40 tests.
If you are using this what has been your experience, as regards both
the audibility of the glitches and what they do to the timing when
syncing later to video?

Thank you very much for your input...

 

second attempt to post this - sorry it it posts twice...


Richard,

I have been considering using the iHP-120/140 for capturing audio
(probably on-subject with lav mic) and later syncing to video.
(prefer this to wireless lav into camcorder). If it works, I agree it
seems a great quality, value, ease-of-use etc.

(btw, The new hi-md's i am reading although they do allow transfer to
PC without decoding to analog in realtime, there is no current
software to convert the captured file to a .wav file! supposedly
"software to burn an audio cd" which could be used for this is "coming
soon".)

I have a couple of concerns prior to purchase maybe you can clarify:
1. the iHP120/140 has a "line in" that folks appear to plug regular
(or low powered) microphones into. Does this work and why?
2. some have reported "glitches" or "lost samples" in ihp120/40 tests.
If you are using this what has been your experience, as regards both
the audibility of the glitches and what they do to the timing when
syncing later to video?

Thank you very much for your input...

 

"Alan" wrote ...

I continue to be wary of compressed recording fomats for
"mastering". If you ever have to release the production in a
compressed format (DVD, online, etc.) there is an increased
possibility of problems with the de-compressed file (which
you use for editing) when it is re-compressed for release.
Best to avoid it IMHO. YMMV.

It appears to have only a sensitive "line-level" input and does
not have a proper mic-level input. It apparently needs a mic
preamp (with either optical-digital or analog-line level output)
for reasonably good quality use.

I bought an M-Audio Duo at Guitar Center (on special) for US$150.
I plan on making a base unit that bolts onto the bottom that will use
a NP-1 rechargable battery (maybe even for both the I-River and
for the M-Audio), and with an electrical SPDIF (which the M-
Audio outputs) to TOSlink (optical which the I-River inputs)
converter. I bought this for recording direct to my laptop (via
USB), but with the optical converter, it should also work nicely
with the I-River.

I do not have one (yet). I would question whether the people
reporting "lost samples" are throwing these things in their
hidden pockets (or jockey shorts? for clandestine recording?

As for timing. Unless I were shooting segments running >30
minutes at a shot, (or a $10M Hollywood feature) I wouldn't
even worry about it. Of course, I am assuming you are using
some conventional NLE where you can easily slide the audio
track back and forth to achieve lipsync.

 

I agree... another reason to look beyond MD as long as options do
exist.

I just got this information on an email back from iriver americas
estore:

I think these were controlled tests...
http://www.irivernordic.com/forum.php?thid=4627&fid=7

I do fairly long shoots so this could be inconvenient but based on
posts on other forums I don't think it's an issue.

thank you for your comments...

 

I much prefer using Digital Audio Tape for secondary audio. I use two
portable
Sony recorders, the TCD-D8 and the TCD-100. I also use an ancient
(1991) deck.
I capture the digital audio using the Edirol UA-1D, which can capture
using either coaxial or optical output, and connects to the USB port.

To my ears, DAT is a little crisper sounding. YMMV!

Ven Hawkins