We have not yet explored other more expensive USB audio interfaces like the Tascam US-122 ($269/ordered for $200 from Sweetwater) and Sonic Devices USBPre (about $600). We gave up on monitoring after recording with the MobilePre. We have fallen back to the Plantronics MX-10 for telephone interviews. Output level from the JK Broadcast Host was low and had serious cross-talk from our host mic in the caller line. (We bought the new MD recorder to get LP recording modes, which Chris uses a lot.) With the MZ-N10, we can feed line out to the computer, but no monitoring of the audio! The headphones volume level does not affect the recording line output. It turns out these are two functions for the same jack! On our older MZ-R30, the headphones jack is available for post-MiniDisc monitoring (while the line out feeds the computer input). We bought a new Sony MiniDisc recorder, the MZ-N10, because it advertised headphones out and line out jacks. Then we can open a special window that avoids the advertising and popup messages that happen when the browser plays the mp3 file by itself. An important step is to make a single audio hyperlink that lets users choose their Media Player.
We are building a small snippet of Javascript code that will allow Lydon fan sites to have a BOP player listing - and linking - the latest interviews on their pages. Our media controller eliminates all these ads, and produces a uniform interface for all media players.
It searches first for QuickTime, then Windows Media, then the Real Player (which continues to open nasty popup ads when the player is closed). We are developing a universal media controller that allows a hyperlink to open whatever media player is already installed in the browser. Recorder output (ministereo to two phone plugs) goes into the US-122 line inputs. The US-122 line output (stereo RCA to ministereo plug) goes to a Minidisc recorder for a backup, and the USB connection sends digital audio to the laptop.įor telephone interview recording, the Plantronics MX-10 telephone amplifier connects to the Minidisc recorder mic input. In the studio, the Behringer mixer feeds the US-122 line inputs (1/4" phone plugs). The Tascam US-122 audio/digital interface has worked like a charm. The Digi 002 Rack uses high-speed Firewire for multitrack inputs to the laptop instead of USB (like the MBox and our Tascam US-122).
We have an MBox with ProTools LE, and will probably acquire a Digi 002 Rack "Studio-in-a-box" (plus the DigiPack carrying case that holds the Digi 002 Rack and a laptop computer). On the digital audio workstation (DAW) front Chris has been very happy with SoundForge editing for his interviews, but we now need to edit in a music bed to create full-length shows and we will be learning ProTools. Jay Allison recommended the BeyerDynamic M-58 as the best omnidirectional handheld, so we will get one for field use.
This unit can use balanced XLR microphones. We decided to get the expensive HHB MDP-500 Portadisc recorder (despite lack of LP mode) for the campaign trips to Iowa and New Hampshire. The Sony Minidisc has proved susceptible to AM radio interference. Plug-in power mics cannot get the low voltage for their electret condenser mics through the 2-mono to ministereo adapter. A 2-mono to ministereo adapter lets two headset boom mics record on the dual tracks. We will get a second DT 290 for the guest to wear in field-recording setups.Īn XLR-to-mini adapter lets us plug the DT 290 headsets into a Minidisc mic input. Its boom mic is directional and noise cancelling, which reduces echo from the guest microphone.
We have stepped up from the Nady DJ-2M headsets with boom mics to a BeyerDynamic DT 290.
Chris Lydon Web Studio Christopher Lydon's Portable Web Studio for Blogradio Productions Chris interviews Joe Trippi, Howard Dean's campaign manager A Work in Progress - Research as of DecemTech support Field SystemsĬhris now has nearly 40 interviews online, and recently launched the website that includes his latest interviews (they get cross posted to his Harvard blog).