Audio Recording Equipment

The range of audio recording options stretches from dirt cheap (such those microcassette tape recorders used by reporters) to very high-end. In all cases, however, you need the following equipment to record audio:

• A microphone or several microphones. There are many kinds of microphones; your recording situation will influence the one you choose:
• Lavalier or lapel microphones are useful for recording a single person giving a lecture or for an interview.
• A handheld microphone can be handed around if you must record multiple speakers.
• A boom microphone can be suspended over or directed toward the subject(s) and might be ideal for recording a concert, performance, or press conference.
• A unidirectional microphone can be pointed toward the subject and will help exclude other room noise when you must record in a noisy environment.
• Wireless microphones are useful for recording in environments where your subject(s) must move around.
• A device capable of recoding audio. Your options include:
• A computer. Laptops are useful to take on location, but desktop machines can also be used if you are recording something, such as an interview, that can be done in a home or office. If you are using a computer, remember to make sure you have enough hard drive space to hold the audio files. A minute of CD quality audio, for example, can use 10MB of disk space. Audacity is a free audio editing program available for both Macintosh and PC you can use to record directly onto your computer.
• A digital audio recorder (DAT). There is only one viable portable DAT recorder, but there are many rack-mountable units you can hook up to your computer. This format produces very high quality recordings suitable for almost any use you might make of them. Tapes can be expensive, but will last, and can be reused.
• An MP3 player. Some MP3 players can record directly into MP3 format, making the transition from recording to the Web incredibly fast. Be aware that recording isn't the purpose these units were designed for, so you may have some problems getting set up and getting high-quality audio out of them.
• A high-quality tape recorder. Don't be fooled into using the microcassette recorders you find in most electronics stores; those are fine for dictation and notes but the recording quality isn't good enough for publication. A high-end tape recorder, however, will work just fine, giving you good audio fidelity along with a device most of us could use in our sleep.
• A MiniDisc recorder. Small, portable and very high quality – MiniDisc recorders are an excellent choice for field recording. There are also rack-mountable units for use in the office or studio. MiniDisc recordings
• Headphones. Audio is no good if you can't listen to it. Include headphones in your audio kit so that you can check the sound quality during recording and listen to it afterward.
• Tapes, CDs, MiniDiscs, or whatever recording media you are using.

Optional equipment that can improve the quality of your video or extend your ability to record is:

• Mixing board. Mixing boards allow you to plug in several microphones at once and control the volume for each microphone separately. When you have separate microphones for several speakers, a mixing board is essential and generally results in better quality audio.
• Cables. You'll have to connect all your gear together – don't skimp on these connecting cables! Audio quality is affected by every piece of your equipment, so good quality cables are important. The staff in your local RadioShack or electronics store may not know every audio recorder, but they are generally very knowledgeable about which cables work best.
• Power cords and extra batteries.

If you plan to take your audio recording kit on the road, look for small, portable components and be sure to arrange to transport all of it easily.

For many reporters, speed is an issue. If you need to get your audio live as quickly as possible, look for an audio recording device that creates digital files that can be quickly transferred to your computer for editing. MP3 players used as recorders and MiniDisc recorders can be used for this purpose. Or, record directly onto your computer, bypassing the need to wait for files to transfer.

Many good electronics stores carry microphones, headphones and mixing boards, as well as recording devices. Spend some time in the store trying out and testing the options before you buy.

You should do your own research to find the right equipment for your needs, but below are some quick recommendations to get you started:

Marantz manufactures a series of high-quality portable cassette tape recorders, the PMD 101, 201, 221, and 222. They all make very good analog audio recordings and are hardy enough to withstand transportation. The PMD 201, 221 and 222 units include a telephone jack for making recordings from the phone. All of the units have headphone jacks. Visit the Marantz Web site to find a local retailer. Expect prices to range from $250 for the PMD 101 up to $450 for the PMD-222. Marantz also makes CD and DAT recorders.

If you're thinking about using a DAT recorder, consider the Sony PCMM1 Professional DAT Player and Recorder. Capable of 3.5 to 4 hours of audio, this unit costs between $700 and $800.

Sony makes a series of portable MiniDisc recorders, ranging from $200 to $500. The Sony MZ-M100 uses Hi-MD discs capable of storing 1GB, and audio can be transferred directly onto your computer via USB. You'll love the battery life, too, at up to 33 hours.

Behringer is a very reputable audio manufacturer. The Behringer Eurorack mixing board permits you to plug in two microphones and is small enough to be highly portable. At about $65, the price is right, too.

Sennheiser and Sony both make high-quality headphones that run in the $60-$125 range. Look for ones that fully cover the ear. They are bulkier, but they give you a better audio experience by blocking out environmental sounds.

Microphones are available in all shapes, sizes and prices. Audio-Technica, Sennheiser, Shure and Sony are all good manufacturers to research.

A good source of information – both for research and purchasing purposes – is B&H Photo Video. Its Web site lets you quickly find and compare products and offers good prices as well.