SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR DIGITAL EQUIPMENT
SUITABLE FOR USE BY ORAL HISTORIANS
A good guide for selection of equipment is to buy the best you can afford, rather than the cheapest, for quality recordings of lasting integrity
Note OHAA NSW Disclaimer
In regard to any product included on this website OHAA NSW does not accept liability for the following:
- spelling and grammatical inaccuracies
- factual errors (including prices)
- incorrect manufacturers specifications or changes
Be sure to contact suppliers for current specials and discounts. Prices quoted as at 16.4.2011
PORTABLE HIGH RESOLUTION SOLID STATE WAV DIGITAL RECORDERS
ZOOM H4n Handy Recorder RRP $396
The OHAA NSW Review of Digital Field Recorders (February 2011) ranked the Zoom H4n as an excellent choice for oral historians looking for appropriate sound quality levels, ease of use and value for money. One of its best features is the robust 2 x 6.5 sockets for external microphones.
To read latest OHAA NSW review Feb 2011
ZOOM H1 HANDY RECORDER RRP $139
For those with a very limited budget the Zoom H1 offers simplicity of use and value for money. However it has only one socket for microphones and therefore requires a split cable adapter.
Note: it is important to also purchase the Accessory Pack $39 for the essential tripod. Pack also includes windshield, AC adaptor (USB TYPE), SOFT CASE, USB cable, and microphone clip adaptor.
SOLID STATE DIGITAL RECORDERS FOR PROFESSIONAL USE
MARANTZ PDM 661 RRP $1299
MARANTZ PDM 671 RRP $1999
FOSTEX FR-2LE : CF FIELD RECORDER RRP $1299
MICROPHONES
RODE M3 This is an extremely versatile microphone that opens up possibilities for anyone who records audio – from oral historians, journalists and students, to business people adding files to websites and multimedia presentations.
RRP $159
COMPUTER SOFTWARE PROGRAMS FOR SOUND EDITING
AUDACITY is a very useful free downloadable software for audio editing
For full details see www.audacity.sourceforge.net
The website also lists several books about Audacity
Audacity is the editing program used in the OHAA NSW Introduction to Oral History workshops
Illustration shows Audacity operating with Microsoft windows
Note: AUDACITY is not suitable for use with Mac computers.
GARAGEBAND also a free downloadable software program has been recommended and is currently being reviewed by OHAA NSW
FOR PROFESSIONAL USE
PRO TOOLS AUDIO EDITING SOFTWARE by Avid Designs
PRO TOOLS M Box 2 Micro
Versions available for both Apple and Windows Platforms
Call Adrian Mitchell, Turramurra Music Centre, 1267 Pacific Highway, Turramurra NSW. 2074 for discounts available to OHAA members.
Tel. (02) 9449.8487 www.turramusic.com.au
SOFTWARE TO ASSIST TRANSCRIPTION AND LOGGING OF AUDIO RECORDINGS
EXPRESS SCRIBE DIGITAL TRANSCRIPTION AUDIO PLAYBACK SOFTWARE
Express scribe is a free professional audio playback control software for PC, MAC or Linux designed to assist the transcription of audio recordings. It is installed on the typist's computer and can controlled using the keyboard (using Hot Keys) or foot pedal.
Express Scribe can be used to play and transcribe ordinary WAV or MP3 recordings and includes its own Dock feature to transfer recordings directly from portable recorders. You can type using any Windows word processor. This computer transcriber application also offers valuable features for typists including variable speed playback, multi-channel control, playing video, file management, and more.
Foot controls for digital audio transcription on PC and Mac are available
These transcription foot controls are for typists who want to use a computer controlled player to dictation and other voice recordings.
For full details see website www.nch.com.au/scribe/index.html
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ARCHIVAL QUALITY DISCS
PRODISC – is used by Libraries and Archival Oral History Collections around Australia
All discs carry the Gold Plated Data Protection certification label and are printable using inkjet
PRODISC are the sole suppliers of these highly commended quality products
Selecting the correct type of discs for your needs is important. If in doubt check with PRODISC’s specialist staff.
PRODISC CD-R 74 Audio Master Gold
For accurate low – medium speed recording – real time
650 megabytes (74 minutes uncompressed)
Starter : 5 Disc Pack $6.30 a piece - $31.50 in PRODISC Black Archival Flexi cases, index slicks and marker pen
PRODISC CD-R 74 Reference Archive Gold (650 mb)
For critical archiving, preservation, audio/video mastering, photography and oral history
25 discs in pods $4.49 a piece - $112.25
PRODISC DVD-R (G) Data Seal Archival Gold
For audio, photographic files and video masters
Scratch proof coated. Large 4.7 gigabytes capacity
Note: these discs cannot be played in a CD Player
Starter : 5 discs in PRODISCS Archive Flexi cases $8.40 a piece - $42.00
25 discs on a spindle pod $6.37 a piece
PRODISC Archival Packaging Black Archive Flexi cases
High quality, archive specifications, 9mm thick unbreakable, flexible, single CD mailer with clear plastic overlay wrap for external slick and provision of booklet inside.
Contact PRODISC for prices for larger quantities and full range of products.
Only available from ProDisc Systems Australia to be purchased online www.prodisc.com.au
Tel. (02) 9016.4415. Very speedy delivery to your door.
Read the informative article on PRODISC’s website “Save your music and photo collection from Disc Rot”