Example of Field Recorder Review: Sony Hi-MD

1. What is the company name and the model name?
Sony MD Walkman MZ-NH700

Type of recorder? Hi-MD


Current model in 2008, or only available used or refurbished? Older model, purchased new around 2003, may be hard to find. Price: I paid around $250 US dollars in 2003, and it’s still advertised online for a similar price in the UK. I bought it in Europe but there were similar models released in North America.

Is this a favourite recorder you would recommend to others? Why or why not? I like the sound quality, simplicity of setup, and overall reliability, but it is awkward to get files off and re-assembled and not easy to find this type of recorder nowadays. Probably wouldn’t recommend it now.

How is it powered? Takes 1 AA battery, and also has an adaptor connection for DC 3V. Battery life? More than 3 hours on a typical AA

Built-in microphone? No Built-in mic quality? N/A Preferred type of external microphone: Works well with regular un-powered microphones like the Shure SM-50, or with a battery-powered mic.

Records to built-in storage or onto removable media? Records onto standard removable mini-discs, which are removable, but the discs can only be played on the device. How much storage? A regular mini-disc will record more than 2-1/2 hours of audio. Also comes with a 1-gigabyte MD.

Choice of file formats? No What formats will it record? Proprietary hi-md files that are convertible to .wav with special software.

Connects to computer by? USB cable or audio stereo-mini to stereo-mini cable. What is the connection process like? Requires proprietary software to see, play, download, or re-label/erase audio files on the hi-md device.

Choice of stereo or mono recording? No, not to my knowledge

How do you get the audio in to the device:

a) Built-in mic? No
b) Line-in? Yes Type? Stereo mini
c) Separate mic input? Yes Type? Stereo mini

Can you control the level of sound coming in? No If so, how?

How do you get the audio out of the device? Can be uploaded to the computer through USB using proprietary SonicStage software that also converts the audio to stereo .wav files. (Or, you can play the audio out of the headphone jack and re-record it into the computer in real time.)

Can you control the playback volume? Yes How? Manually from an external button.

Internal menu structure – easy or complicated? There are menus, but you don’t normally have to use them to record, output audio, or playback.

Special features: Allows you to insert track marks that start a new track.

Best qualities: Sound quality is very clear, without adding background noise, so that even recordings made at a lower level can be boosted cleanly. Good pre-amp that can take a non-powered or powered microphone.

Worst qualities: Makes a new file every time you pause the recorder – these files can be messy to re-assemble in the correct order when you put your show together. Also, the proprietary software is a pain in the butt.

CJSF Spoken Word Department Events Calendar

Station events, departmental events, and opportunities for coverage are posted on this calendar. If you have things to add, contact Frieda: cjsfpa [you know the rest of the email is @ plus] sfu.ca

Learn how to podcast

The following site has information and links about podcasting sites, programs, hardware, and basic production:

http://www.wise-women.org/tutorials/podcast/

Organizing audio for a documentary

Q: Iris writes, "I've completed all my interviews (four of them) and I'm a bit at a loss how to integrate them with the flow of the script I was planning.... I have downloaded the Audacity program in my computer so I can listen to my interviews and make notes. My difficulty is how to choose which [clips] to include. It's overwhelming. :) Do you think I should start by writing my script for my introduction?

A: The stage you are at is absolutely the hardest stage. But it's also the most fun stage in a way, because it's the most creative moment. Some of the things to think about are:

• What will be a beginning that will engage people's attention?
• What will be an end that they will remember and leave them with feelings about the program?
• What information do they need to know near the beginning to understand things, and what can you hold back until later?
• How do the voices and stories make you feel? Think about the flow of feelings that will run through the show. How will things develop not only in terms of information but in terms of feelings?
• Are some of the voices more pleasant than others? Maybe you don't want to have too many voices that are not as pleasant or easy to understand next to each other.
• Are you going to have each person speak one by one, or are you going to try to come back to different people and organize by related topics?
• Do you want to introduce each person at the beginning of their talking, or do you want to put the voices together and give credits at the end? (If they're wanting to be anonymous, you can still say something about them that gives people an idea about them.) At the end you want to be sure to give some kind of answer to the question - what was I just listening to?

If you'd like to bring audio up to the station for discussion at some stage in the process, I'd be happy to listen with you. You can email cjsfpa at sfu.ca to set a time to talk or get together about a project - it would be a pleasure to hear your work.