Looking for quality advice again at DVinfo.net

Eric Tomlinson · Today, 05:58 AM

Many years back, you all helped me sort out recording gear for a couple of audiobooks (lockdown project). I was using a Tascam DR40x as the raw recording device and Audacity to edit. All went well until I put my foot on the Tascam.

I decided to acquire a Focusrite 4th Gen Solo. So I can keep the AT2020 microphone and the headphones I have. Didn't go Tascam again, they haven't upgraded it. The pre-amp hiss was pretty hefty (apparently it still is), and I didn't want to break another one. However, it did record a -12db backup track automatically, which was a life saver occasionally.

The Solo does require a device to attach to. 2 options appear viable.

1) A Samsung S21 phone using 'USB Audio Recorder Pro'. This is the closest workflow to the Tascam. It outputs a single WAV file for each recording. No fans, but also cannot have it connected to power, as it is powering the Solo. At the moment, this is no problem as I am not recording for more than 2 hours at a time and this barely touches the battery life.

2) A 10-year-old Dell XPS converted to Linux (Can't run Windows 11) - Using Linux I can turn off the fans to make it silent. Using Audacity as Capture software to create a WAV file. I am not 100% happy running an i7 without fans. The USB connector is quite vulnerable to being knocked whilst recording. More 'fiddling' to set up recording new chapters. I do have more control if I choose to rerecord 'in flight'.

As a real novice with Audio, I cannot hear any difference between the files. I have looked at the analysis graphs in Audacity - they look similar, but mean almost nothing to me. Honestly, the Samsung route feels too simple, but I can't see a downside, I was stunned it worked so well. Using a Linux PC feels more right, but I am a computer geek and I don't want to fry it.

As the files appear almost identical, there is no difference in the post-production edit process/ time.

What I don't want to do is get halfway into a new project and find that whatever I chose was the wrong path.

I appreciate the words of wisdom might be massively different from each 'expert', but it went well last time - and who else do I know to ask?

Today, 05:58 AM	#1
Eric Tomlinson Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Crewe UK Posts: 28	Looking for quality advice again Many years back, you all helped me sort out recording gear for a couple of audiobooks (lockdown project). I was using a Tascam DR40x as the raw recording device and Audacity to edit. All went well until I put my foot on the Tascam. I decided to acquire a Focusrite 4th Gen Solo. So I can keep the AT2020 microphone and the headphones I have. Didn't go Tascam again, they haven't upgraded it. The pre-amp hiss was pretty hefty (apparently it still is), and I didn't want to break another one. However, it did record a -12db backup track automatically, which was a life saver occasionally. The Solo does require a device to attach to. 2 options appear viable. 1) A Samsung S21 phone using 'USB Audio Recorder Pro'. This is the closest workflow to the Tascam. It outputs a single WAV file for each recording. No fans, but also cannot have it connected to power, as it is powering the Solo. At the moment, this is no problem as I am not recording for more than 2 hours at a time and this barely touches the battery life. 2) A 10-year-old Dell XPS converted to Linux (Can't run Windows 11) - Using Linux I can turn off the fans to make it silent. Using Audacity as Capture software to create a WAV file. I am not 100% happy running an i7 without fans. The USB connector is quite vulnerable to being knocked whilst recording. More 'fiddling' to set up recording new chapters. I do have more control if I choose to rerecord 'in flight'. As a real novice with Audio, I cannot hear any difference between the files. I have looked at the analysis graphs in Audacity - they look similar, but mean almost nothing to me. Honestly, the Samsung route feels too simple, but I can't see a downside, I was stunned it worked so well. Using a Linux PC feels more right, but I am a computer geek and I don't want to fry it. As the files appear almost identical, there is no difference in the post-production edit process/ time. What I don't want to do is get halfway into a new project and find that whatever I chose was the wrong path. I appreciate the words of wisdom might be massively different from each 'expert', but it went well last time - and who else do I know to ask?