Portable Condensor Recorder at DVinfo.net

Matthew Weitz · April 7th, 2006, 07:45 AM

I'm trying to do a short film and the only camera I have is a small Canon with just one mic input; however, there are no headphone jacks so I can't monitor the sound I'm picking up with my mic. I'm using a AUDIX UEM81s which is battery powered.

At first I was thinking of buying a Fostex MR-8 but some of the shots are outside. As far as I know the MR-8 needs a plug in power source. Then I thought of using my laptop, but when I plugged in the UEM81s it didn't work.

Do any of you know a good (value) portable recorder or a way of making my microphone work with my laptop? Thanks.

Steve House · April 7th, 2006, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Weitz

I'm trying to do a short film and the only camera I have is a small Canon with just one mic input; however, there are no headphone jacks so I can't monitor the sound I'm picking up with my mic. I'm using a AUDIX UEM81s which is battery powered.

At first I was thinking of buying a Fostex MR-8 but some of the shots are outside. As far as I know the MR-8 needs a plug in power source. Then I thought of using my laptop, but when I plugged in the UEM81s it didn't work.

Do any of you know a good (value) portable recorder or a way of making my microphone work with my laptop? Thanks.

For a good quality, portable pro-grade recorder take a look at the m-Audio Microtrack 2496.

Matthew Weitz · April 7th, 2006, 06:51 PM

OMG. $500.00. Wow. Anything a little cheaper? :P

Shawn Redford · April 7th, 2006, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Weitz

OMG. $500.00. Wow. Anything a little cheaper? :P

If you want to use your laptop with an external firewire or USB box, M-Audio and Presonus have some things that may work for you:

M-Audio
http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=...bileinterfaces

Presonus FireBox ($300) or Presonus Inspire 1394 ($200)
http://www.presonus.com/products.html

Matthew Weitz · April 7th, 2006, 10:54 PM

What about this: http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Transit-main.html

Will this work too? (My condensor mic has battery power.)

Steve House · April 8th, 2006, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Weitz

OMG. $500.00. Wow. Anything a little cheaper? :P

You can shop around and get the m-Audio for a good bit less than the MSRP. For example, BHPhoto lists it for $399.

I recently fell in love with the Sound Devices 702T recorder. About the size of a large paperback book, light-weight, built like a tank, fully professional in every respect. Only a mere $2500. You get what you pay for. Buying cheap to start usually ends up costs more in the long run than if you'd bought quality to begin with.

April 7th, 2006, 07:45 AM	#1
Matthew Weitz Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 42	Portable Condensor Recorder I'm trying to do a short film and the only camera I have is a small Canon with just one mic input; however, there are no headphone jacks so I can't monitor the sound I'm picking up with my mic. I'm using a AUDIX UEM81s which is battery powered. At first I was thinking of buying a Fostex MR-8 but some of the shots are outside. As far as I know the MR-8 needs a plug in power source. Then I thought of using my laptop, but when I plugged in the UEM81s it didn't work. Do any of you know a good (value) portable recorder or a way of making my microphone work with my laptop? Thanks.

April 7th, 2006, 06:51 PM	#3
Matthew Weitz Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 42	OMG. $500.00. Wow. Anything a little cheaper? :P

April 7th, 2006, 10:54 PM	#5
Matthew Weitz Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 42	What about this: http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Transit-main.html Will this work too? (My condensor mic has battery power.)