EQ Magazine - September 2008 - (Page 58)

by David Royer Record/playback formats are WAV, MP3, and WMA; I like WMA, as it saves much space compared to WAV but sounds better than MP3. Surprisingly, the monitor speakers are stereo—but even more surprisingly, they actually sound reasonably good. The package is well-accessorized, with a free copy of Cubase LE4; aside from the expected USB cable, there’s also an 1/8" stereo mini male-to-male extension cord, carrying case, strap, and wind screens for the mics. There are also several useful optional-atextra cost accessories, like a wireless remote (although it isn’t as complete as the one included with the Edirol, offering only record, play, and pause), noise-canceling mic and telephone recording device ($19.95 each), twochannel pro mic set with tripods (around $230), etc. Limitations: File sizes are limited to 2GB for WAV and 4GB for MP3 and WMA. And while the battery life is good, you can’t recharge batteries ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES Additional recording media. With card-based solid-state recorders—by far the majority—carry plenty of memory cartridges, unless you’ve also brought a computer to which you can transfer files during down time. Additional power. Bring batteries, or if you have compatible connectors, use the Energizer brand cell phone chargers with mini-USB outs to recharge on the go, or provide “auxiliary power.” Mics. The mics included with many recorders are surprisingly good, but it’s worth taking some quality external mics. However, also bring a decent but really inexpensive mic you’re not afraid to lose. Use it for recording explosions, going into an angry mob to grab some cool samples, etc. Plastic freezer bag. If there’s rain, ocean spray, or other environmental nastiness, put the recorder in the bag and seal it up. If you still need to record, use external mics and feed the mic cable out one corner of the bag; it’s almost certain you’ll be able to manipulate the buttons and work things while it’s in the bag. Do watch out for heat buildup, though. Notepad. Keep notes on what you’ve recorded, as most devices auto-name files. Unless you take the time to rename them on the spot, you might not remember which files are important. Noise-canceling earphones, or in-ear earphones that block outside noise as much as possible. These make it easier to monitor what your recorder is recording. Introducing SONY PCM-D50 ($599.95, WWW.SONY.COM) Sony shifted the flash-RAM-meetsportable-recording scene into high gear when they introduced the very successful PCM-D1; now we have the PCM-D50, which is less than a third as much. Limitations compared to its big brother are few: The mics and preamps aren’t on quite the same level, there are no retro analog meters, and the frame is aluminum, not titanium. Functionality is quite similar, though, including the built-in 4GB of memory with a slot to add Sony’s Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo for more recording time (a 4GB stick costs about $60–$65). Although larger in size than the average portable recorder, the PCMD50 feels more like a “field recorder” than a pocket-size “notebook recorder.” It includes speed change from –75% to +100%, and a wired remote (to control recording) is optional. As with the MicroTrack II, the PCM-D50 can handle files larger than 2GB. Bonus: It includes Sound Forge Audio Studio LE for editing files. What it does best: The mics rotate outward for a 120 degree pickup pattern, or inward for an X-Y type of pickup, or anywhere in between (they can also be parallel). This gives a lot of flexibility, and a small “roll bar” MA-201 fet “The MA-201fet is big and fat, and packs an extra midrange punch that sounds great on vocals, drums and guitars.” Michael Wagener - Engineer; Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Skid Row, Extreme, King’s X Visit mojaveaudio.com for studio photos and audio samples. 818.847.0222 Burbank, CA 58 EQ SEPTEMBER 2008 www.eqmag.com http://mojaveaudio.com http://WWW.SONY.COM http://mojaveaudio.com http://www.eqmag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of EQ Magazine - September 2008

EQ Magazine - September 2008 Contents Talk Box Sounding Board Punch In Freak Folk Todd Rundgren Guitar Trax Bass Management Key Issues Drum Heads Vocal Cords Mix Bus Cheat Sheet Sony Acid 6 Ableton Live 7 Portable Recorder Showdown Gadgets and Goodies Sounds Room with a Vu

EQ Magazine - September 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.