KVR Audio

soulkraka · Post by **soulkraka** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 3:53 am

Early next year I'll be traveling in Central and South America for two months. I'll be starting in Guatemala and making my way down through Costa Rica and on down to Ecuador and Peru (how to avoid Columbia? by boat?)

I'm really interested in the possibility of recording/collaborating with some local musicians, you know, Ry Cooder/Deep Forest stylee. (but minus the negative repercussions of course!)

The plan is:
1. Meet the musicians any way I can.
2. Record as many musicians as possible and get all their information.
3. Take the recordings back home and create.

The method is:
1. I need your help!

I am not going to bring my laptop, monitors, Rode mic etc etc for obvious ergonomic reasons and also the fact that I'll be staying in CHEAP places. Its just asking for trouble. So what I'm thinking is that I'll pick up something like the Zoom PS-04 mini studio. Im only planning on recording solo musicians so if I have a fistfull of 128 meg smart-media cards then I think I'll be set. To hopefully achieve higher recording quality I'll also pick up a line level mic like the SM58.

What do you guys think about this combo? Zoom + SM58.
Is there a mini studio that has a built in 5 or 10 gig hard disk available? Other line level mics that you recommend?

la sugerencia por favor (suggestions please)

[absurd] · Post by **[absurd]** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 4:03 am

Some other ideas:
Edirol just released a really nice product that can handle CF cards up to 2GB:
http://www.sonicstate.com/news/shownews.cfm?newsid=1713

There is also HiMD. Good Site:
http://www.minidisc.org/

Here is a really good portable stereo mic that won't break the bank:
http://www.reactivesounds.com/am2.php

tee boy · Post by **tee boy** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 4:05 am

The problem with that unit is that the batteries last literally about 30 seconds. Space is limited aswell and i found it possible to record only a few minutes worth. Also, it only records at 22kHz (which may or may not bother you). My advice would be to try something a little more suited to the job. Those new Fostex flash recorders look decent. Apparently you get 8 tracks of 16 / 44.1 audio for about 40 minutes per card. Might be worth a look.

Your SM58 sound be fine, but if you want to take the Rode Im sure the Fostex has phantom power.

Roritor · Post by **Roritor** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 4:17 am

Hi there.

Sounds interesting, but why do you want to avoid Colombia? It is one of the most beautiful countries in S. America, and is certainly nowhere near as poor as the others you are planning on visiting. Indeed it is quite cosmopolitan and sophisticated. It is also the mainland home of many forms of Latin music (Salsa, etc.). Or are you interested primarily in pan flute indian music? As long as you take some precautions and avoid some places (and where is this not true of?) Colombia is quite safe.

soulkraka · Post by **soulkraka** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 5:18 am

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! The fostex and auris mics in particular seem right up my alley. To be honest though the perfect box for my purposes would be the fostex but with 4 tracks and $100 cheaper. Ideas?

Roritor, thanks for the info as well. I'm not trying to sound paranoid or anything but....
http://travel.state.gov/travel/colombia_warning.html

Do you disagree with this? Is this only in confined areas that can avoided easily?

tee boy, so basically the Zoom is not worth looking in to?

Roritor · Post by **Roritor** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 6:12 am

Roritor, thanks for the info as well. I'm not trying to sound paranoid or anything but....
http://travel.state.gov/travel/colombia_warning.html

Do you disagree with this? Is this only in confined areas that can avoided easily?

The guerrilla problems are largely confined to rural areas, while the cities are generally safe. Naturally there are the other crime problems that can be found in any city. But if you really want to experience S. American culture, then Colombia is essential. Music-wise, the Carribean coast and the city of Cali would be good places. I would advise having a look at the new edition of the lonely planet guide to Colombia. Oh and here are some photos of Cartagena on the Carribean. It really is very nice

http://www.cartagenadeindias.com.co/reloj.htm[/url]

Roritor · Post by **Roritor** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 6:12 am

Whoops

http://www.cartagenadeindias.com.co/reloj.htm

soulkraka · Post by **soulkraka** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 6:27 am

Roritor, thanks! Looks beautifull. Maybe I should stop being a paranoid "gringo" and enjoy Columbia. Keep in mind that I'll being traveling by bus or whatever cheap form of transportation is available so I WILL be passing through rural areas.

soulkraka · Post by **soulkraka** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 6:44 am

Hey everyone

how about using a pocket pc with an app like Griff? Griff has a sampler and lets you record your own samples so it seems like I can record audio into a pocket pc...right? Is it done via a little 1/8 jack?

This would have one huge advantage for me in that the pocket pc would be usefull to me after the fact. If I bought the fostex or zoom I would sell them when I came back because I have no use for them.

C00kie · Post by **C00kie** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 7:32 am

What about a portable Sony Minidisc recorder? Together with its bog standard tiny stereo mic you can make quite good recordings. Fits in your pocket and does the job. Why not?

SM58 a LINE level mic?? Complete bollux, it delivers a low output level like any dynamic mike.

soulkraka · Post by **soulkraka** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 7:36 am

C00kie wrote:What about a portable Sony Minidisc recorder? Together with its bog standard tiny stereo mic you can make quite good recordings. Fits in your pocket and does the job. Why not?

Good suggestion, thanks.

C00kie wrote:SM58 a LINE level mic?? Complete bollux, it delivers a low output level like any dynamic mike.

my bad, I was just thinking non-phantom powered.

Steven West · Post by **Steven West** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 4:03 pm

Cookie does make a good suggestion. I was trying to convince a friend to get a Tascam DAP-1 DAT recorder, which are still like $3000!

Then I looked into these Sony Proffesional MD Recorders that journalists and many use now - 99% same quality, and at a price of around $300.

One other thing just to suggest is a 'parabolic dish' for your mic. Not sure if Shure makes such a thing that easily slides on and/or folds up? If worse comes to worst, you can probably get a good reflective wide plastic bowl at a $1 Discount store, and just drill and cut an appropriate hole to slip over your mic.

I'm jealous and envious of you now Soulkraka - so NO MORE ADVICE!

On location recording... advice needed