Digital sound recording (1 Viewer)

This is a bit non-bird at this point (bear with me) but I'm after a bit of advice on sound recording equipment.

I'm planing a long term photography project and, what with this being the age of multi media and all, want to record voices, ambient noise around the subjects etc to go with it. This is going to be about local small-scale Norfolk food producers - loads of whom are fascinating characters.

Knowing a few birders (and being a slightly lapsed BF - er), I also want to do something similar about the Norfolk bird scene. Loads of local people just haven't a clue about birders and have all sorts of odd ideas. That's probably be next autumn. But anyhow, that's by-the-by for now.

I'll then put the photos and chopped up sound together (hopefully in a not too obvious way) on the PC, exhibit the photos locally and publish the multi media on the interweb and also use it for presentations and within the exhibition if possible.

Or something like that.

I've got the willing subjects/victims, I've got the camera - the one thing I haven't got now is the sound recording equipment. Could anyone give me a steer toward what might be suitable? I tend to think digital, but I understand that tape may be as good as it's easily converted on the computer.

I would prefer to not spend a fortune (I'm thinking around £100) but on the other hand I don't want to paint myself too much into a corner with poor quality. Charming though that can be. |;|

Thanks in advance.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hindolbittern/

There are a lot of voice recorders on the market, but many are for business use to get a record of a meeting etc. are of insufficient quality to be of much use for what you have in mind. But if you go for the broadcast quality recorders you enter the world of silly money!

There have just started to come on the market, good quality but cheaper priced solid state recorders aimed at the hobby musician but maybe just the thing you are looking for. One that is not available just yet but has been getting good press is the ZOOM H2 .

This company specialise in digital recorders and sell the bigger, more capable (and more expensive) H4, but I'm sure they will carry the H2 when it comes out.

Good luck with the project sounds interesting.

Mono

Oh look - another bittern?

That looks like it might be just the ticket. Now I've just got to find something to use until they release it...

Thanks

HB

Just had another look at the supplier you mentioned and am feeling very tempted by the M Audio Microtrack

Inevitably more money (ha - aint that the way!), but it's available now from the looks of things and takes CF cards, which is what my camera runs on, and I can always do with some more of those around the place.

If anyone has any opinion on it I'd be very grateful.

Thanks

HB

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hindolbittern/

I'm still recommending my iRiver H120. It has a 20GB drive, WAV & MP3 recording, built in mic and phantom power for stereo electrets.

Not selling mine though, sorry

http://www.iriveramerica.com/products/H120.aspx

It looks as though the manufacturer isn't doing them any more. None on ebay either,so it looks as though they are that good that everyone is hanging onto them.