From: billy@irvine.com (* Bouncer **)
Newsgroups: rec.music.synth
Subject: Re: Hand-held recorder for sampling
Date: 6 Nov 92 08:11:49 GMT
Organization: Irvine Compiler Corp., Irvine, California, USA

> I'm looking for a battery-powered, hand-held recorder for sampling.
> I'd like to be able to do something like walk around the office
> hitting things (desks, bookcases, co-workers, etc.) without lugging
> around a heavy recorder and trying to find a place to plug it in.
> Plus, it would be nice to have something that I could use in a
> clandestine fashion, say at one of those city council meetings /
> scream therapy sessions.  (Relax, copyright infringement will
> be diligently avoided.)

    How about picking up one of those portable/handheld DAT machines and a
small stereo microphone (Sony makes some good "walkman" style mics). 
I personally own an Awai portable DAT and have had no trouble with it using it
as a "field" recorder and as my main mix-down DAT deck in my MIDI studio.  The
Sony DAT-man's are also very nice.  However, you need to be aware of some
important features and differences before you buy.  Compare these w/your needs:

   1)  Decide if having digital in's & out's is important to you.
       (Especially important if you plan on "backing-up" your DAT tapes to
        another DAT machine, or else transfering your samples to a dedicated
        hardware sampler with digital I/O.)
   2)  Check the maximum battery RECORD time.
       (Some of them have a rated playback time of 2 hours, but only 1 hour
        of record since the battery has to drive the "power hungry" A/D
        converters when recording.)
   3)  Is the display back-lit.
       (very convenient, possibly mandatory if used in poorly lite locations)
   4)  Weight.
       (this really isn't a problem since most of the portables are all about
        the same weight, but should at least be a consideration since some of
        the "portables" are actually "luggables".)
   5)  Can you get by with mini-jack inputs, or do you need balanced XLR inputs
       (This however will add considerable cost/weight to your unit)
   6)  How does the unit handle "peak" amplitude distortion during record?
       (I heard of one unit, I believe one of the portables made by Fostex,
        that if you use only one of the stereo inputs for recording, it will
        automatically make a "back up" copy of your recording onto the other
        unused track with a 10db reduction in amplitude.  This is great for
        setting an overall "hot" level, especially when you aren't able to
        anticipate how loud/soft the subject you will be recording is, while
        still having your bases covered with a back-up at a lower level,
        hopefully without any distortion.)
    7)  Copy-code protection
        (For the way you described your purposes, copy-protection circuitry
         really doesn't seem to be a problem.  In fact, I've done recordings
         on DAT machines with copy-coding, played the tape back on a "pro"
         deck with the copy stuff disabled, and "backed it up" to another DAT,
         thus "stripping" out the copy-coding stuff from the original and
         yet having an exact digital duplicate on a second DAT tape.)
    8)  Cost vs. performance
        (Do your research, and don't just go out to Circuit City or the "like"
         and expect to get a deal on a "consumer" DAT.  These things are
         considered "hi-end" at consumer stereo/video outlets, and getting a
         bargin on one from one of these places is probably impossible.  I
         would recommend visiting 3-5 places, comparing features (all the stuff
         listed above), and then actually making your purchase through a "pro
         audio" store.  These places deal in more volume for this type of stuff
         and also are generally a lot more "hungry" to make a deal.  Sometimes
         you can talk them into a decent price, especially if you are
         purchasing some cables or other stuff at the same time.  I've even
         known them to "throw in the sales tax" by lowering the overal price of
         the purchase.)

-- Billyb
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