In the field recording - how do YOU do it?

[Podcastmatters]

Being able to capture content away from the controlled environment of your studio means that, as a podcaster, the world is your oyster. Last September I spent 3 days in a tent with my family, but I had my recorder with me and was able to capture a snippet of what it's like to camp in Scotland. Now, when I get two minutes (ok, maybe 2 hours) I'll get it edited up and released as a podcast.

But the point is, I was in the field (literally) and I had the means to capture audio.

I started off using a Sony Minidisc Recorder with a little mic plugged in. While that usually did the job, I did experience reliability issues and then you've got the hassle of real-time capture onto your computer for editing.

Now I'm using an Edirol R-09 and it's probably one of my most favourite pieces of podcasting kit.

Time to share some tips, people -

What do you use for in the field recording?

What are your top 3 tips to getting the recording sounding right? (You usually have just one chance to get the take you want)

What are you top 3 tips for equipment that should be in the kit bag when you set out to record in the field?

And, if you wish, what are you best/worst/most embarrassing/most revelatory experiences while recording in the field?

[f1minute]

zoom h4. it can do 4-track recording (sort-of) and with the windshield attached it sounds better than the r-09 (at least to my ears).

it feels quite cheap to hold, and is slightly oversized to sit comfortably in the palm of your hand, but apart from that it's perfect.

top 3 sound tips:
- keep away from generators or other background noises.
- practice mic technique or buy a lip mic.
- don't record under the heathrow flight path.

top 3 equipment (aside from the recorder):
- spare battery / sd card
- sm58
- camera (for enhanced podcast bits)

[Neil Fairbrother]

We use either tie mics (wireless or wired depending on the show - our gardening shows use wireless so Adrian our gardener can freely ramble in all senses of the word) or shot gun mics going straight to XLR ports on the cameras - we use up to three cameras per shoot - Canon XM2s which are perfect for podcast production. One camera is set to the prime audio track, the other two capture sound but that's really just for syncing purposes in editing. We edit using Apple's Final Cut Studio and occasionally have need to tweak the audio in Soundtrack Pro.

Cheers

N

[The DarkCompass Podcast]

I've used little mp3 players etc. Now for me it's an ipod with a micromemo recorder, the quality is good of the sound, and it records in WAV format, getting the best - no compression. If I go out interviewing I try to keep my ipod fully charged so I have a shuffle to listen to .

My tips

Wind to your back
Huddle up close with your interviewee
try and record in a quiet area.

[Hens Zimmerman]

Still using a Sony MD, because it's small and robust, and because I have it! I have a Sony PIP (Plug In Power) stereo mic that goes with it very well. The A->D real time conversion is a bit weird, considering this is 2008, but nothing worth upgrading for.

Tips:

- Be sure you can do a decent recording before the event. Check things like: battery life, recording time left on the media, does it work at all, is the area too noisy. Do a test recording.
- If it's an interview, talk about what's going to happen with the interviewee. Let them know you're gonna push a microphone in their direction. Ask if it's okay to do a re-take of a question, in case of a sudden noise (airplane, etc.).
- Listen to what you've recorded immediately. It's easier to do a re-take while you're still there. If it's an animal sound, you have the best chance to record a better take while you're still there.
- Re-record it or transfer it as soon as possible, so you have a backup.

Equipment:

- A spare battery.
- If it's a very unique occasion: a spare everything! Bring a second recording device with its own mic.
- Equipment you know well.

Embarrassing moment:

I once recorded sound on location for a movie scene. There were cookies. I ate one. It turned out to be a prop, very much visible in the scene, so I had eaten away the continuity of the scene.

Hens Zimmerman

http://soundsgoodpodcast.com

[Tim from Radio Clash]

HD Minidisc with a Audio Technica video mic. I used to use an iRiver 890 / 790 but the lack of a decent sensible metering and gain control (MDs have very good gain control and work with mics well) meant I switched.

You don't have to do realtime capture with HD minidiscs - they even have a USB port and can copy files direct to the PC. I've not had any reliability probs and been using them for shows and interviews since 2006.

Only slight bitch is battery power but not had it die on me yet during a show, you can get extra batteries or battery packs...

Tips:

Most definitely do a test record - both before and also chat to your interviewee(s) beforehand intiially without then with recording to test levels, before initially 'starting the interview' - you'll find a more relaxed subject and you might have a better chat 'off mic' than before

Check mic batteries - this always throws me, and charge up MD (obvious I know, but...)



Check they are fine with all the subjects discussed - see below. Don't post immediately to give a 'grace' period esp. if contentious

Most embarassing moment - having to pull an interview cos the person was drunk and said something he regretted/didn't want public. I'd already posted the show, but didn't say anything just pulled it, re-edited it, and reposted. Alcohol can help interviews but a lot can be dangerous!

[The DarkCompass Podcast]

I would recomment the Micromemo recorder. Cheaper than the Griffin one, and the quality is better too, switchable to std mic or line in. no need for anything phantom power. i can get around an hours record on high quality on one ipod charge. more than enough for me doing little band interviews

[Clark Boyd]

Right now, our standard radio kit is a Marantz 660. We record to WAV. I use an audiotechnica AT813a condenser mic -- it's great for both recording interviews and tracking in the field. An RE50 omnidirectional is our standard mic for getting sound.

I had been using a Sharp MD for backup. Now, I'm switching over to the smaller Marantz 620 with built-in mics.

C

[Tim from Radio Clash]

What's the best mic for interviews btw?

My video mic is OK and directional but a bit too quiet - looks the biz though. I'd like something that works in noisy situations, tbh.

[paul nicholls]

Until I lost (cough) my Edirol I used that with a lavlier mic.

I now use my old Ipod classic with a stereo mic adapter and lavlier mic - the results are amazing and comparable to the Edirol, amazing really as the adapter cost around £25!

[Podcastmatters]

OK, Paul, what really happened to the Edirol?

[paul nicholls]

honestly? Absolutely no idea! I think I may have left it in London on a business trip last September. A sad loss to me as that was a superb bit of kit.

[Charles Stepczyk]

Zoom H4, but relatively new user, so not much advice to give on its use. I can say that the sound is pretty impressive. I also have a Belkin Stereo TuneTalk that I can snap onto the end of my ipod nano to record and it picks up brilliantly in very noisy situations (if an interviewee talks directly into it).

As far as extra equipment I'd say a digital camera, extra batteries, extra SD card.. and for me the Belkin/ipod... in case I just want something small. I also tested out the Micromemo briefly, but though the Belkin had a stronger sound.

No revelatory experiences yet... although did have a good time recording some soundbytes and shot glass ambience from an artist while drinking at a bar in the San Fernando valley.