Need Audio Recorder for Journalism Class

[HoosierGuy]

I'm going to take a News Audio course online for one month. I'm going to need a recorder so I can record a few interviews. I want to get a basic but good recorder. Something at most at $100.00 I could use my Sony Handycam because that microphone (built in) does pick up every sound, but the problem is it PICKS UP EVERY SOUND including my stomach rumbling when I'm hungry! I mean, it picks up too much audio.

So these are my requirements - I need a good recorder for interviews, something I can hold in my hand or put on a table with me asking questions and the other person answering. Also, I need to transfer these audio files to my PC so I can edit them. And then I need to export them in .wav or .mp3 format. I have Sony Vegas Studio Platinum so I figure I could do some simple audio editing with that. The Platinum edition came with Sony Sound Forge but I've hardly used that since I've been focusing on video editing and production and sound has taken second stage with me.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

[Cornucopia]

You're running under the mistaken assumption that the set of "BASIC, <$100" and the set of "GOOD" are NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.

But, maybe your idea of GOOD is different from mine. (IIWMe, I'd want an Edirol-R9, with external Mikes incl. Lavs)

Do a google search on "Portable Audio Recorders". There's a Zoom H1 in your price range and could probably do what you mentioned.
Areas of concern would be:
How good is/are the microphone(s)? Appropriate for VOICE ONLY or Voice+Music?
Does the pickup polar pattern fit my needs? If not, how close can I set it and leave it alone and still get appropriate directional sensitivity?
How good are the A-to-D converters?
Does it have all the features (power, size/weight, convenience, searchability, control, options) that I need for this project & beyond?

Scott

[HoosierGuy]

I emailed the teacher of the class and he said I could use my Sony Handycam since I don't have a recorder. He said he could recommend a basic one but it would be over $100. So OK - can I get a good one for $150.00 that is good for interviews? I asked the professor of the course for a recommendation and I'm waiting for his second email.

I'm not interested in music. I'm only interested in picking up the audio of the person being interviewed and myself. Being able to pick up background audio, like the crowd at a baseball game, would be a plus.

This class is only $200.00 so I don't want to spend more than $200.00 on a recorder.

[HoosierGuy]

Another plus would be if I could, later on, use it with my Sony Handycam and record audio on it while I record video on my Handycam, and use the audio from the recorder instead of the audio from the Handycam that picks up sounds from everyplace.

My next used mini-DV video camera purchase will be one with audio input, if I find one on ebay or amazon.

[bigass]

It depends on what's to be done with the audio -- if it's a radio journalism class, sound quality will matter a lot. If it's print, all you need is to be able to hear the words so you can transcribe them.

In the former case, I like and use a Marantz solid-state recorder in a broadcast journalism capacity -- I've been a reporter & anchor in all-news radio for about 17 years.

The current Marantz decks are versatile, reliable, solid and has a variety of inputs including the necessary XLR jacks to take professional microphones.

If all you need is the quote, you can use anything that records. I'd recommend your smartphone. Most phones these days can record audio and connect to the computer by USB.

In the middle, I'd say, are the portable recorders like the Zoom machines. Every time I see one of those, I want one, even though I have absolutely no use for them right now. The sound quality from the built-in mics is quite good and they're portable. Definitely the kind of gear I would've dreamed about back in the days when a decent stereo recording Walkman was in the hundreds of dollars.

And, hey, if you can find a MiniDisc recorder in good shape for a cheap price, try that. You can't download the audio faster than real-time, but the sound quality and editing features are still phenomenal.

[jagabo]

I'm only interested in picking up the audio of the person being interviewed and myself. Being able to pick up background audio, like the crowd at a baseball game, would be a plus.

A directional microphone is best for attenuation of background noise. But the main issue is to get the microphone as close to the speaker as possible. That's the reason the news person holds the microphone in peoples faces when recording on-the-street interviews. And when you don't see the microphone it's because there is a boom operator holding a mic just over the person's head.

The quality of the recording instrument is of far less importance in this type of situation.

[bigass]

Excellent point, Jagabo, which is why I think a camcorder would be a poor solution. Omni mics work fine in news-gathering, provided you can get reasonably close to the speaker. The closer the better. I used an EV-635A for years -- omni mic, solid, you can hammer nails with it, and never complained about the lack of directionality.

You'd look like a weirdo cramming a camcorder under someone's chin.

[budwzr]

Another plus would be if I could, later on, use it with my Sony Handycam and record audio on it while I record video on my Handycam, and use the audio from the recorder instead of the audio from the Handycam that picks up sounds from everyplace.

Yes, that's the way to go.

Did you look at the Zoom H1 recommended earlier? Myself, I use a Zoom H2. There are times you will want to record "shotgun" style (unidirectional), and other times four channel surround (omnidirectional), and the Zoom can do that.

Also, you need a recorder that has AGC (auto gain control), and a Limiter (compressor), so your recordings can be matched to the environment. Zoom has that too.

Lastly, you want a recorder that has a mic-in jack so you can use a lavalier mic if you need it.

Also, the Zoom can record front and back at the same time, so if you do an interview you can just set it on the table between the interviewees.

[HoosierGuy]

The nice professor emailed back and said they use the Zoom H2 on campus for the class.

[HoosierGuy]

If I get the Zoom H2, would it be hard to match up what I record with m Sony Handycam? My Handycam does not have an audio in. Later this summer I want to shoot some canoe safety video's for a club I'm in. I have the editing software - Sony Vegas Studio. I have some simple transitions. I can use my fonts. But the audio - I need something better than the audio from the Handycam. Would a Zoom H2 be help me out with this? I mean use the video from the Handycam but use the audio from the Zoom? Would that be easy to sync up? I think for what I have in mind I would want to use wireless mics since I want to record people sitting in a canoe so I don't want any wires running from me to them.

[budwzr]

You have to sync it up manually, not hard to do, but you need to use voice cues, and lay down all the raw footage and audio and group each event before editing.

Wireless mics are expensive. You can use the H2 as a handheld mic, it comes with a screw-in handgrip. It also mounts to a tripod or monopod. I like the monopod because you can boom the mic out from under your arm while shooting, and it just moves along with you easily.

[dphirschler]

The Sony PCM-M10 is nice. Has a very good quality set of built-in omnis, and you can also attach a stereo set of external mics. The Roland R05 looks nice too. But these are in the $200-300 price range.


Darryl

[edDV]

Syncing wild audio to video is non- trivial. Consider a clicker or traditional clap board at the start of each clip. You will be glad of it when it comes to post.

[HoosierGuy]

I ordered the Zoom H2. After ordering I realize that it can be used as a mic into a computer. So I assume I can use that to record narration over my videos with Sony Vegas Studio. Is so that is great because I'm also looking to do that.