Date:Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:32:34 -0700
Reply-To:Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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From:carlstephen koto <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:Re: Software for Mac
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Craig, here's a pretty good comparison of features with sound
samples of the smaller (MicroTrak sized) flash recorders.
http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/compare-portable-recorders.html
Steve Koto
On Oct 14, 2008, at 3:30 PM, Tom Fine wrote:
> Hi Craig:
>
> For stuff that's not music-master grade of sound quality, I have
> good results with my M-Audio MicroTrak II. There are now a host of
> other devices in that price range and some have more features so
> you should shop based on current info. Either EQ or Electronic
> Musician mag did a rundown of a bunch of the sub-$500 models in a
> recent issue, it'll turn up in Google or at their website.
>
> A friend of mine and a fellow listmember who usually doesn't post
> here has a Tascam flash recorder that he likes a lot. It was more
> pricey at the time I bought the M-Audio but I think Tascam has a
> new model in the sub-$500 space. Also playing there are Korg, Sony,
> Olympus, Fostex and others. The best thing to do is check out the
> marketing materials and reviews on the whole bunch, decide what
> features are important to you and then decide from there.
>
> My wife recently used the M-Audio in her classroom, her students
> recording "podcasts" about their summer reading material. I set it
> to record to 128kbps MP3 with the limiter engaged and was pretty
> amazed at the results. Much better quality than I expected, no
> digiswishes and the limiter was very effective and didn't pump up
> the background noise. The cheapo freebie mic worked great, too.
> Overall, this was far better quality than any little portable
> cassette recorder I've ever used. I would expect better still with
> an external stereo mic like Richard Hess likes to use for oral
> histories and interviews. We were also happy with the battery life
> once it was fully charged. It only needed two recharges over a 10-
> day period in which about 2 hours total of audio were recorded. The
> kids did very well with the small unit and non-intimidating mic. We
> both were pleased with all aspects of the results.
>
> -- Tom Fine
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Craig Breaden" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 5:28 PM
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Software for Mac
>
>
> I'm using an Apogee Rosetta 200 converter right now, but I'm
> interested in the idea of creating workflow around a separate
> recorder, as you mentioned, and then just transferring files. Tom
> Fine mentioned this in the thread on oral histories not too long ago
> and I've been thinking on it. Any standalone recorders besides Sound
> Devices you might recommend for this purpose?
>
> Craig
>
> On Tue, Oct 14, 2008 at 5:13 PM, Lou Judson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> In all of this computer audio, Mac or other, keep in mind that the
>> analog to
>> digital conversion is vital and key to the resulting sound, far more
>> important than what DAW software you use to work with it once in the
>> computer. General pro audio wisdom says to have the A/D convertor
>> outside of
>> the computer, not internal, and almost never use the computer's
>> internal
>> soundcard for the conversion. Though there may be no problem with
>> what is
>> inside your particular box.
>>
>> Since I use Protools 7.4LE and Peak Pro XT, I do my conversions
>> outside the
>> box with a seriously upgraded Digi 002 box, or a separate Sound
>> Devices
>> recorder. Using the external recorder with its excellent A/D
>> leaves the Mac
>> free to work with files at the same time. I personally almost
>> never record
>> directly into any computer any more, just copy from flash cards.
>> Way more
>> efficient and multitasking that way for me.
>>
>> Just offering one person's work style, as in Bill's great A/D/A
>> mentioned
>> below.
>>
>> Lou
>> Lou Judson • Intuitive Audio
>> 415-883-2689
>>
>>
>> On Oct 14, 2008, at 12:51 PM, Malcolm Smith wrote:
>>
>>> Bias Peak and Soap are for Mac. I've used the pro versions of this
>>> software and found them to be excellent. They are fairly
>>> expensive though
>>> the non pro versions would be less. Go to the Bias web site for more
>>> information.
>>>
>>> Malcolm Smith.
>>>
>>> On Oct 14, 2008, at 11:58 AM, WIlliam McQuay wrote:
>>>
>>>> HI Craig,
>>>>
>>>> We are digitizing our audio collection using Sonic Studio's
>>>> soundBlade
>>>> digital editing software and both Sonic and Prism A/D/A's. We
>>>> find the
>>>> quality of the hardware and software to be very high.
>>>>
>>>> Bill
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Oct 14, 2008, at 1:47 PM, Craig Breaden wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm deciding whether or not to move my audio transfer workflow
>>>>> to Mac.
>>>>> Pretty much everything else I do is on Mac, particularly since
>>>>> we do
>>>>> a lot with video oral histories. Right now I use both
>>>>> SoundForge and
>>>>> WaveLab on a Windows machine, and have considered trying Boot
>>>>> Camp and
>>>>> Parallels so I can run them on my Mac. My systems guys warned
>>>>> me off
>>>>> of Boot Camp, and so that leaves either Parallels ($79), so I
>>>>> can run
>>>>> my software, or getting audio software that will run on a Mac.
>>>>> I can
>>>>> always stay with my Windows machine for audio, but it drives me
>>>>> a bit
>>>>> bonkers with its wonkiness. Any suggestions or sharing of
>>>>> experiences
>>>>> using Parallels would be welcome.
>>>>>
>>>>> Craig
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Craig Breaden
>>>>> Head, Media and Oral History
>>>>> Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
>>>>> Main Library
>>>>> University of Georgia
>>>>> Athens, GA 30602-1641
>>>>> (p) 706-542-5782
>>>>> (f) 706-542-4144
>>>>
>>>> William McQuay
>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>> Supervising Audio Engineer
>>>> Macaulay Library
>>>> Cornell Lab of Ornithology
>>>>
>>>> Our Mission:
>>>> To interpret and conserve the Earth's biological diversity through
>>>> research, education, and citizen science focused on birds.
>>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Craig Breaden
> Head, Media and Oral History
> Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
> Main Library
> University of Georgia
> Athens, GA 30602-1641
> (p) 706-542-5782
> (f) 706-542-4144