Alternative to MD for field recording

Carlos E. Martinez · December 3rd, 2003, 12:20 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Paul Tauger : I've been looking at some of these stand-alone MD units (I have a portable Sharp MT-15 which I use for field recording). The problem is, none of them have true digital output. There are coax and optical digital outs, but you'd have to find some kind of card for a PC that would except these (perhaps some sound card?) and software to convert the input into a WAV file. -->>>

This thread started, if I am not wrong, on how to go digitally from MD or similar into your PC. My proposal had been to go analog using MD.

The deck model I suggested allows all digital options.

Of course you would need a digital input on your PC. The MIA card I use has coaxial types, which are the only ones I really believe in.

Carlos

Marco Leavitt · December 3rd, 2003, 12:33 PM

Edirol makes a product that will allow you to connect optical outs to the USB port. It's only like a $100. Minidisco's got 'em. No idea what kind of software you would use for the capture, as I'm still doing it analog. The sound is still much better than you would get recording to camera, at least with mine.

Dave Largent · December 3rd, 2003, 01:02 PM

Why is coaxial better than optical?

Carlos E. Martinez · December 3rd, 2003, 01:08 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Dave Largent : Why is coaxial better than optical? -->>>

Basically 3 reasons:

1) Electronic to optical conversion (output)
2) Cable
3) Optical to electronic conversion.

In one word: interface.

Carlos

Michael Wisniewski · December 3rd, 2003, 01:47 PM

I just took a look at two portable recorders at Guitar Center - they're oriented toward musicians but they look like good alternatives. They are both $299, record to Compact Flash cards, support USB in/out, and have built-in mixing capabilities.

1. Fostex MR-8
2. Tascam PS5 Pocketstudio

I really like the Fostex even though it's twice as big - it has 2 balanced XLR inputs with USB and S/PDIF digital out and two headphone jacks for monitoring.

The Tascam is half the size and has 1/4" un-balanced inputs.

J. Clayton Stansberry · December 3rd, 2003, 02:07 PM

Michael,

Do you know if these upload to your computer in real time or not? Thanks for the links...another option to consider.

Clay

Carlos E. Martinez · December 3rd, 2003, 02:09 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Michael Wisniewski :
1. Fostex MR-8
2. Tascam PS5 Pocketstudio

-->>>

The PS5 is MP3 and should not be used for quality work.

The MR8 looks interesting, as it also has time code capability. But the low price makes me think it shouldn't be a quality tool. It's probably designed for high compression rates, to allow them into a flash card. Such things are not too good quality wise.

But I maybe wrong. Look around to see if you can find reliable info about it. What are you planning to do with it?

Carlos

Mike Rehmus · December 4th, 2003, 07:02 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Carlos E. Martinez : <<<-- Originally posted by Marco Leavitt :
Allow me to suggest a better unit, the one I would go today if I were you: a Sony MDS-E10 from B&H.

It's more expensive ($459) but you will have coaxial & optical input/outputs and it's almost exactly like the pro version (E12), which has balanced analog input/outputs. In fact I'd say it's the same less the balanced thing.

Carlos E. Martinez -->>>

That's the listed price for B&H They will drop the price if you call them.

Sony now lists that unit for $630!

Josef Crow · December 9th, 2003, 08:58 AM

hey

anyone trying the iRiver IHP-120. with a decent preamp, should do the job. has optical input. Just ordered one.

might pick up a mic2496 preamp. anyone had any experience with this?

thanks

Marco Leavitt · December 9th, 2003, 09:27 AM

I've been real curious about iRiver. Please let us know how it works out for you.

December 3rd, 2003, 02:07 PM	#36
J. Clayton Stansberry Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 316	Michael, Do you know if these upload to your computer in real time or not? Thanks for the links...another option to consider. Clay __________________ I understand everything about nothing.

December 4th, 2003, 07:02 PM	#38
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	<<<-- Originally posted by Carlos E. Martinez : <<<-- Originally posted by Marco Leavitt : Allow me to suggest a better unit, the one I would go today if I were you: a Sony MDS-E10 from B&H. It's more expensive ($459) but you will have coaxial & optical input/outputs and it's almost exactly like the pro version (E12), which has balanced analog input/outputs. In fact I'd say it's the same less the balanced thing. Carlos E. Martinez -->>> That's the listed price for B&H They will drop the price if you call them. Sony now lists that unit for $630! __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

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December 3rd, 2003, 12:20 PM	#31
Carlos E. Martinez Trustee Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brasil Posts: 1,138	<<<-- Originally posted by Paul Tauger : I've been looking at some of these stand-alone MD units (I have a portable Sharp MT-15 which I use for field recording). The problem is, none of them have true digital output. There are coax and optical digital outs, but you'd have to find some kind of card for a PC that would except these (perhaps some sound card?) and software to convert the input into a WAV file. -->>> This thread started, if I am not wrong, on how to go digitally from MD or similar into your PC. My proposal had been to go analog using MD. The deck model I suggested allows all digital options. Of course you would need a digital input on your PC. The MIA card I use has coaxial types, which are the only ones I really believe in. Carlos

December 3rd, 2003, 12:33 PM	#32
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Edirol makes a product that will allow you to connect optical outs to the USB port. It's only like a $100. Minidisco's got 'em. No idea what kind of software you would use for the capture, as I'm still doing it analog. The sound is still much better than you would get recording to camera, at least with mine.

December 3rd, 2003, 01:02 PM	#33
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Why is coaxial better than optical?

December 3rd, 2003, 01:08 PM	#34
Carlos E. Martinez Trustee Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brasil Posts: 1,138	<<<-- Originally posted by Dave Largent : Why is coaxial better than optical? -->>> Basically 3 reasons: 1) Electronic to optical conversion (output) 2) Cable 3) Optical to electronic conversion. In one word: interface. Carlos

December 3rd, 2003, 01:47 PM	#35
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	I just took a look at two portable recorders at Guitar Center - they're oriented toward musicians but they look like good alternatives. They are both $299, record to Compact Flash cards, support USB in/out, and have built-in mixing capabilities. 1. Fostex MR-8 2. Tascam PS5 Pocketstudio I really like the Fostex even though it's twice as big - it has 2 balanced XLR inputs with USB and S/PDIF digital out and two headphone jacks for monitoring. The Tascam is half the size and has 1/4" un-balanced inputs.

December 3rd, 2003, 02:09 PM	#37
Carlos E. Martinez Trustee Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brasil Posts: 1,138	<<<-- Originally posted by Michael Wisniewski : 1. Fostex MR-8 2. Tascam PS5 Pocketstudio -->>> The PS5 is MP3 and should not be used for quality work. The MR8 looks interesting, as it also has time code capability. But the low price makes me think it shouldn't be a quality tool. It's probably designed for high compression rates, to allow them into a flash card. Such things are not too good quality wise. But I maybe wrong. Look around to see if you can find reliable info about it. What are you planning to do with it? Carlos

December 9th, 2003, 08:58 AM	#39
Josef Crow Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: new york, ny Posts: 66	hey anyone trying the iRiver IHP-120. with a decent preamp, should do the job. has optical input. Just ordered one. might pick up a mic2496 preamp. anyone had any experience with this? thanks

December 9th, 2003, 09:27 AM	#40
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	I've been real curious about iRiver. Please let us know how it works out for you.