Audio recording advice needed

Richards,

An efficient solution would depend on a thorough explanation of the recording situations. Without that only some generalities can be offered. You don't say what methods your employer previously used to capture audio or why they were dissatisfied with those methods, so its hard to suggest how they can improve on them.

For example, after the computer is set up with recording software and an audio interface then you can view it as no different from any other recorder and treat all recording problems the same as if you were using a tape recorder, eg. So if they already have mics that work in their situation they can continue to utilize those mics.

So I guess the first thing I'd ask is why use a computer at all? If you are recording an interview, a battery powered shirt pocket device like a minidisc recorder might be much less balky and awkward than a computer. But a drawback is that the recording would still have to be transferred into a computer later.

Where the computer really is outstanding is in the ease with which you perform editing, store the files and have instant access to them.

As far as software any recording program should work, but you would probably want a program with graphical editing capability, either a pro editor like Soundforge or anything from Cakewalk or Steinberg. These are not cheap/free but their pro interfaces make them so much easier and intuitive to use.

The main problem in recording meetings and courtrooms is the need for a sensitive mic that can pick the whole room, particularly if using a laptop with only one mic in. It helps to use a mic preamp but all who have asked about room recording have said they didn't want to be burdened with another piece of hardware. The solution is to get a battery powered electret condensor mic. Although you can get mics that are powered by a small current provided by the mic jack, the battery powered ones generate a stroger signal. Don't bother with a regular dynamic or condensor mic without a preamp as they won't pick up the whole room.

The meeting room might already be miked and wired for sound. In that case just run a line from the mixer to the computer.

Whether it's better to start with an analogue source then convert/clean-up to digital or record directly to digital. 

Of course the mic's signal is analogue but as soon as it enters the computer or minidisc or dat recorder or whatever it becomes digital, unless you use tape. I don't think the quality of the convertors will be an issue with primarily voice recordings.

This is a big subject and I could go about it but it's late. You can get some ideas of recording equipment from a music equipment catalog online like at musiciansfriend.com.

Jim

 

Jim,

Thanks for some great information.

The company I work for has previously used tape recorders, with a rather 'low tech' approach to it all.  They now wish to take some of this audio information (past and future) and use it digitally (for such things as PowerPoint presentations and promotional material, etc.)

You are actually the 2nd person to recommend a minidisc player/recorder, and it's an option we're considering.  The best results we've had in terms of quality is with my own laptop, using the external SoundBlaster Audigy 2 NX to record (24 bit mono).

We're still looking and considering options.  Thanks for replying!

 

 

Richards

 

There are many Different Types of Audio Recording Equipment for Laptops.

RME LT 1896 Mobile Kit Laptop Recording Bundle

http://www.synthtopia.com/items/RME/RMELT1896.htm

 

Indigo IO is another type.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--ECHINDIGOIO

Dell Carrys the Audigy2 NX

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A0194937&c=us&l=en&cs=555&category_id=2999&page=external

Manufacturer Part# 70SB030000000
Dell Part# A0194937

 

Message Edited by SpeedStep on 08-27-2004 09:07 AM

SpeedStep,

Thanks for the info and reference sites.

Right now, we're leaning towards the Audigy 2 NX.  It's what I have for my laptop and I'm at least passingly familar with it.

 

Richards
Inspiron 5150
WIndows XP Professional
3.06 ghz (HT) mobile P4
64 megs GeoForce Go 5200 video
512MB (333 mhz) RAM
60 gig HD (4400)
4X CD/DVD +RW
Dell True Mobile 1400 802.11 (a/b,/g)
Soundblaster Audigy 2 NX

Since you arent a singer in a rock & roll band or a virtuoso in the philharmonic I think the NX provides the best features for the best price aka $1500, vs $200 vs $99

Mp3 is the best file format for saving as it has the most things that can play it vs windows media format.

Storm,

I started recording when my big brother came home from the Navy with 2 good Akai reel to reel tape decks. I used the 2 recorders to bounce a signal back and forth and create a delay effect. In those days editing meant cutting the tape with a razor blade and taping it together with scotch tape and I did a lot of that. When 4 track cassette recorders came along I got one and began years of multi-tracking bliss. I've had 3 4trackers. I got a Roland digital 8 track when those came along, hated it and got a Fostex hard drive 8 track with a built in analog mixer. At that time I was also using Cakewalk software for computer recording but didn't care for that too much. Then Cakewalk developed Sonar. It was love from the minute I downloaded the trial version and I haven't looked backed since. I have it on a laptop where I mix down completely in the program, and it's on a desktop with a multiple in/out interface where I use an analog mixer and route out to my hardware effects.

Even though I love computer recording, using a computer for your purpose is the last thing I would think to do. Imagine you've been recording a 2 hour meeting and with 5 minutes left the program freezes or the system crashes, and nothing has been saved because the program won't let you do that while it's recording.

If you go ahead with this, know that pros who use computers also have a redundant recorder going simultaneously.

Good luck, Jim