Hi Kate
I asked a similar question 12 months back to a group that included sound artists - this was when I needed to replace an ipod and belkin mic for the recorded interviews I do for talkingwalking.net - below is pasted what came of my enquiry. Unbeknownst to me but my wife had already bought me a new mic and recorder as a present so this advice was not actually needed. She gave me a Roland.
MD recorder
I have been using an MD recorder for many years and it has never let me down. Greg Giannis
Likewise use an MD player, though it does mean holding a mic too. Rachel Gomme
Zoom
A Zoom. Better quality than the ipod, quite small and simple to use. The only drawback with the one I have used the most is the tiny buttons. There are newer versions though that seem to be better. Kaspar Wimberley
I find the ZOOM H2n very handy -- with a good windshield for walking.
You can plug in a more sophisticated microphone, too. Anja Haelg Bieri
Zoom H2 (with Spoffle) still working very well Ben Waddington
Others have recommended the Zoom H4 and H2. The Zoom H1 has fewer features but serves the purpose well for basic, good quality recording and is cheaper to buy and easier to use. Jon Aveyard
Zoom with a fluffy pop screen/ wind shield. Lucy Frears
I like the Zoom. I have the earliest and basic version: H2. Viv Corringham
I agree with the zoom recorder folks! There is a wide range to choose from and you may want to find a place or a friend that/who will let you play with the recorders before buying one. The mic cover is an important addition on the zoom recorder to prevent wind and other noise interference. I like the ZOOM H2n best because it is easy to use and other mics can be plugged in!
Below is a link for the ZOOM H2n: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57437098-47/a-great-sounding-pocket-recorder-zoom-h2n/Here is a link to a wonderful small company that makes fantastic mics and: http://contactmicrophones.com/Moira Williams
I use Zoom H1 http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/h1/
very good quality but still very portable and affordable. I have used it for recording soundscapes and details used in my sound-walks and also for interviews. It is stereo mic so it will pick up everything else if you are recording the interview outdoor but you could plug external shot gun mic if needed. Vanessa Grasse
I would agree with the others: I have used the Zoom H2 (smaller) and H4 (larger, more sophisticated) and find them very reliable. They also take AA batteries which are easy to replace on the road, and of course you can use rechargeables. They both have forward and backward facing microphones so good in interviews. The H2 fits easily in your pocket.
I think The Edirol R-09 is no longer available but has been replaced with the lower spec R-05 - at a quick glance it looks similar in spec to the H4. We already have a H2 (slightly earlier version) so may be looking to recoup the cost. Melissa Bliss
Can I add one (if I haven't missed one already in an overlooked email - sorry if so) I sought advice on this from JISC digital media specialists recently - specifically looking for lightweight inobstrusive audio recorder for walking and talking (and avoiding too much wind noise when recording outdoors) - they recommended a Zoom H4N with a Rycote wind jammer specifically for the Zoom. Working very well at the moment! Jess Allen
I use a Roland R-05 - unobtrusive and easy to use. Also good are: Edirol R-09 - essentially the 'pro' version of the above (Edirol being the not-quite-anagrammatical professional arm of Roland)
Zoom H4N - this is not a deadly strain of flu, but another good recorder. This one has L&R XLR/balanced inputs for professional external mics. If this means nothing to you then I suggest giving it a miss - no point paying for spec you won't use. Mark Hunter
I walk with a zoom too! And then use the recordings to make new sound work, the quality of the sound recordings is excellent I can highly recommend Emma Rochester
Tascam
I m an artist using walking with embodied technologies so I used a Tascam DR-1 [check it here <http://www.bradlinder.net/2008/01/tascam-announces-dr-1-portable-audio.html> ] last month to one of my walks, because we were talking while walking. It worked well especially if you turn it towards your subject. Bill Vasilis Psarras
I'm using two recording devices for the coastline project when interviewing.
Tascam DR-1 as mentioned, does have wind noise issues but is very good.
Alternatively, and surprisingly the better on the spot sound recorder is my
Lumix G2 HD camera -excellent sound qualities and has become by far the
prefered recorder. Jez Hattosh-Nemeth
Sound recording kit for sale
As Vanessa suggests below I have professional portable recording system for sale as I've recently upgraded.
Zoom H4N here <http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002WQFJII/?tag=hydra0b-21&hvadid=9550944909&ref=asc_df_B002WQFJII>
RODE NT2 shotgun mic here <http://www.amazon.co.uk/RODE-NTG2-SHORT-SHOTGUN-MICROPHONE/dp/B000YCSHG8/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1355399369&sr=8-12>
RODE deadcat here <http://www.amazon.co.uk/FURRY-WINDSHIELD-FOR-RODE-VIDEOMIC/dp/B000BH437S/ref=pd_bxgy_ce_img_y>
RODE pistol grip shockmount here <http://www.amazon.co.uk/PISTOL-GRIP-SHOCKMOUNT-RODE-SERIES/dp/B001GZ91MQ/ref=pd_sim_ce_3>
(these links illustrate what is for sale)
System is about a year old in perfect condition and ideal for voice-overs outside etc as mic is directional and reduces lateral noise Andy Wood
Link to reviews from Nick Hamilton Radio Producer
The Transom gear reviews are generally very good.
TRANSOM.org
a showcase & workshop for new public radio
December 18, 2012
* NEW TOOLS - Digital Audio Recorders from Tascam and Olympus *
Jeff Towne reviews two recent digital audio recorders we've been eyeing: the Tascam DR-100MkII and the Olympus LS-100. They are both relatively small, inexpensive, and have XLR mic inputs, which we strongly favor. For the needs of radio producers, one recorder gets a very positive review. The other doesn't. I'll leave it at that. Jeff will give you the whole story, with photos, sound files, etc.
Tascam DR-100MkII: transom.org/?p=31508 <http://transom.org/?p=31508>
Olympus LS-100: transom.org/?p=31510 <http://transom.org/?p=31510>
* WHILE WE'RE AT IT *
If Jeff's reviews and technical advice and generosity (along with Barrett Golding's, and all our Guests') have been useful to you--we hope you'll consider making a donation to keep Transom going. We're ad-free and visitor-supported, and dedicated purely to art and public service. If you value the site, please support it. User contributions are key to survival these days. Big Thanks to those who've helped us out so far. We are gratefully putting your thank-you gifts in the mail. All donation information is here, or just Google "Donate Transom"
transom.org/?page_id=8906 <http://transom.org/?page_id=8906>
Best Andrew
On 6 Apr 2014, at 15:02, Kate Smith wrote:
> Following on from the request about oral history - I need to tape a couple of people giving talks by slapping a tape recorder on front of them. I dont need broadcast quality sound - just to be able to transcribe it - and it's possible that a couple of the more recalcitrant speakers will wander two or three metres from their podium. Can anyone suggest cheapish-but-good tech that would work in these conditions? There are so many options out there and I don't have much of a clue. Im not sure whether they will be mic'd up or not. Something where how the buttons work isn't utterly cryptic would be a plus too!
>
> Thanks!
> Kate
>
> Sent from my iPhone
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