Compact pro audio system for person with zero sound knowledge

[Antonio Ribeiro]

Hi folks,

I am in a bit of a dilemma and have a question for all the folks here who know about audio: I have agreed a way to interview someone who is in a high security prison, but the prison services will not grant us access as crew. So the solution we all found and agreed with the prison is to provide this person, via his lawyers, with a recording device that is easy to operate for someone who has no knowledge of sound and still records very high quality sound. Good enough for a broadcast documentary. All of the recordings will be indoors.

Any suggestions on a good system/recorder that will allow us to do this to a high standard, minus the occasional bump?

Thanks
Antonio

 

[Christopher Mills]

well.. I think tascam's cheap Dr 5 would be a decent option for you.

THat's just as a notepad style thing with built in mics, 2 tracks, wav capability.

Is the prison going to let you leave this with him?

A lot of facilities worry that anything brought in may be adapted into a weapon... I know that's pretty far off topic.. but just trying to keep you out of trouble.

 

[David Kuhn]

I use the Boss MicroBR, great quality but it's not very user friendly - the DR5 looks like a better option for non-tech user.

 

[Trailangel]

A stick of butter.

 

[Bob Gundu]

Sound Devices 302 mixer with a Tascam DR40 recorder.

 

[Kristin Stewart]

Well,Bob, we're far away from the zero sound knowledge here ;-)

Here's my suggestion : the Zoom H1. Cheap, small, and a big Red button to record ;-)

Kristin

 

[Bob Gundu]

Ha ha... you're right. Something like the Zoom H1 or Tascam Dr40 recorders are pretty easy use and have surprisingly good audio. Just remember to hit the red button twice to record! First press puts it in standby mode.

Well,Bob, we're far away from the zero sound knowledge here ;-)

Here's my suggestion : the Zoom H1. Cheap, small, and a big Red button to record ;-)

Kristin

 

[Antonio Ribeiro]

Guys,

thank you so much for your replies. I think something like the Zoom H1 or Tascam DR5, seem to be within the range of what we need. Do you know if you have to press the button twice in both? (I have had a DR100 and with this unit you had to do it). Try asking this guy in prison who is about to know if he will spend the rest of his life behind bars to remember to press the button twice... Anyway, I will have to cross that bridge when I get there. ;-)

A

 

[Bob Gundu]

Yes you have to hit record twice on both those units! Very common mistake.

 

[Daniel Pearson]

Yes you have to hit record twice on both those units! Very common mistake.

The Zoom H1 only requires you to hit record once - so long as you aren't in playback mode (then you have to press record to exit playback mode, then record again to record.) From turning on, you simply hit record and away you go. The Zoom H4 required you to hit record twice.

The only part not entirely user friendly about the H1 is that sometimes you can accidentally bump the switches on the back to switch from WAV to MP3.

I would advise a lav mic though.

 

[pawitter parmar]

Hello ,
I thing Zoom H4N do the job. or H6 also records very high quality sound..