Answered By: MRU Library
Last Updated: Sep 08, 2022     Views: 228

  • A/V Production
  • Audio Production

    • Portable Recording

    Portable Recording

    Portable recorders are available for loan from the Service Desk. Portable recorders are versatile and can be borrowed alone or alongside lavalier microphones, reporter microphones, vocal microphones, pencil microphones, podcast microphones or instrument microphones. 

    The Roland recorder is another option for portable recordings and includes a remote. The Roland is a more compact recorder that can be used alone or with a 3.5mm input microphone (ideally a lavalier microphone). There are no XLR inputs, but you can use an XLR to AUX cable to connect XLR microphones.

    For the simplest option, the Olympus recorder is available, however, has only one option for audio quality. Review how the different portable recorders compare to make your selection:
     

    Recorder:

    File type:

    Microphone inputs:

    Quality Options*:

    Zoom H5

    WAV or mp3

    3

    44.1 or 48 kHz

    Roland

    WAV or mp3

    1

    44.1 or 48 kHz

    Olympus

    mp3

    1

    44.1 kHz 

    (Standard)
    Zoom H6 WAV or mp3 4 44.1 or 48 kHz
    Zoom PodTrak P4 (Portable Podcasting Kit) WAV 4 44.1 kHz

    *Choose 48 kHz when recording sound for video or for a higher quality recording.
     

    Summary of Portable Recording with Microphone Options

    Use:

    Recommended equipment options:

    Why?

    Interviewing on the fly

    Zoom H5 or H6, Reporter microphone, XLR cable

    The reporter microphone can be held out between you and your subject. Both of your voices will be equally captured. If you are doing video interviews, you can connect the reporter microphone directly to the AV camera (Canon XA30)

    Recording a lecture


     

    Zoom H5, Zoom H6 or Roland with a wireless lavalier microphone. Or, use a Zoom H5, Roland, or Olympus recorder pointed towards you.

    Wireless lavalier microphones are a good choice if you will be moving around the classroom. Clip the lavalier mic to your shirt and place the transmitter in your pocket. The receiver will be plugged into the recorder's 3.5 mm mic input. 

     

    If the room will be quiet and you are largely staying in one place, you can also use the on-board microphone on portable recorders to record. Ideally, place the recorder close to you on a podium or table.

    Recording a sit down interview, your own voice or podcast in any room.

    Podcasting kit with Zoom PodTrak P4 (available soon)

    		 Comes with everything you need for podcasting with up to four voices recorded.

    Recording instruments


     

    Zoom H5 or Zoom H6 with instrument microphones, cables and stands or use the on-board microphone on any of these portable recorders.

    Use instrument microphones to record instruments on separate tracks. 

    Recording of your own voice in a loud environment

    Zoom H5, Zoom H6 or Roland recorder with standard lavalier microphones.

    Alternatively, you can record using your cellphone's headphone jack using the attachment included with the lavalier microphone. You will need to have an audio recording app installed on your phone.

    The close placement of the mic to the subject's chest will help reduce how much background noise is picked up.

    Recording a discussion 

    Zoom H5, Zoom H6 or Roland recorder

    Using the Zoom H5, Zoom H6 or Roland recorder's built in microphone is your best option. Place the recorder in the middle of all of the participants. 
     

    Recording Using Your Phone

    Alternatively, to record using your smartphone and a lavalier microphone, follow these steps:

    1. Sign out the Audio Technica Lavalier Mic from the Service Desk and use the included adapter to connect to your smartphone. If you do not have your own headphones, sign out a pair from the service desk so that you can check your levels.

    2. You’ll need to have an app installed that will allow you to record audio. Easy Voice Recorder is a recommended app:

      Easy Voice Recorder: Android, iPhone 
      For more information for the Easy Voice Recorder app, visit the app guide

    3. Once you plug the lav mic into your smart phone’s mic jack using the adapter, no further step is necessary. Hit record in the app once you are ready to record. 

     

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