ptram

Uh, something more important: yestarday I tried to record a thunderstorm (it seems this is the most loved app for a handheld recorder, isn't it?) I wanted it as out of the window as possible, so I layed it on a heavy book between the glass window and the outer wooden panels, just under the roof frame. This way, no water drip could damage the recorder, but I hoped to have it as soon to the storm as possible. It was. I recorded as much wind as the raindrips. So, do not forget to let it wear a cuff if doing the same! Paolo

OK, I'm sorry. I recovered the most significant diagrams of my previous tests, and changed the messages a bit.

That's right, I was pointing the DR-1 in the wrong way. Shame on me. I repeated the test pointing the left mic directly at the dome, by angling the DR-1 about 45° or a bit more. Not precise, but much closer than with my earlier tests. I went nearert to the speaker, since I'm more interested into the high frequencies than the lows, and low-mids, where the proximity effects should appear. As you all guessed, the frequency plot extends more than in my previous tests,with way less HF dampening. Obviously, this cannot yet be considered a reliable measurement (I hope to do it with the right tools soon, just for my curiosity). I'm also deleting my previous messages, to lower information noise. Paolo

...and this is the diagram with the DR-1 and the SP-CMC8 (AT943) external lavalier cardioid mics (on-axis), with power supplied by the DR-1 itself.

OK, here is the new test. Linear sweep (20Hz-20kHz) generated by Logic. Recorded at 1m with the internal mics of the Tascam DR-1, off-axis since recorded in stereo.

Mackie HR824mkI, two way. The sweep is mono, so there was no need to take the signal in stereo. DR-1 was placed between the high dome and the bass speaker. I'm repeating the test pointing the DR-1 exactly at the dome, since what I need is the most accurate measurement of the highs. I know that Audacity is not very great when audio quality is concerned, but I doubt it can affect coloration in a radical way. Or does it? Unfortunately, I don't have another program to do the frequency plot. In any case, other progams show (in sonograms) the same progressive weakening while going toward the highs. I did consider that, being cardiods, proximity effect could be a problem for the mics. My guess was that 25cm where enough to avoid it, but I will repeat my test at the standard 1m, and an higher recording volume. Later, Paolo

[REMOVED]This is not what I would call a scientific test, but anyhow. I've put my DR-1 in front (ab. 25cm away) of a speaker playing a 20Hz-20kHz sine sweep, and here is the resulting graph with Audacity:

They are spaced cardiods. My guess is that they are in ORTF (110°) configuration, or a similar one. Judging from the tests I did in real use during the latest month or so, I'd say that noise performances are very good for such a device. - Internal mics recorded a live soundscape, during a DJ-set, with no apparent background noise, even when the performer was playing typically soft lounge records. Environmental noise (people attending the performance) where caught with good detail. There was a strong sense of "being there". Wind noise was also very evident, asking for a pad. - External mics (SP-CMC8, based on AT 943 lavalier cardioid capsules), connected to the Mic1 input with sensitivity set at Mid, resulted in a very clean nature sounds recording. Switching the sensitivity to High increased noise too much. I think this can be a setting useful for saving some important and difficult recording, but not to be chosen for normal use, where Mid should be preferred. - An external CAD90 handheld dynamic mic, connected to the Mic2 input, was strong and clear. I wouldn't compare the above results to my Sytek's, but it wouldn't be the scope of these small portable devices either. The pairing of the Tascam DR-1 + AT 943 seems to provide a deeper sound than a Zoom H4 + AKG C414TLII, but I never did a test side by side. Since one of my friends owns a H4, I could do it sooner or later. Never tried with the Tascam, but the AT822 is a preferred of videomakers shooting at the distance you are describing. It should work. I wouldn't go for cheaper mics, since this AT is a bargain when you consider the price/performance ratio. Best, Paolo

Hello Everybody, I just received my DR-1, and immediately did a first test. Despite plastic, the thing seems built reasonably well. Headphones and the 1/8" mic input connectors both seem to be solid. The battery was charged by the USB connection from the keyboard of my Mac. I got the opportunity of updating from System 1.02 to 1.10. File exchange is easy and immediate. I only checked how the DR-1 works with environmental sounds. At 24 bit, the internal mics are extremely noisy with High gain and volume at 8, but are still keeping bird singing very well with volume at 4, when noise is under control. Mid gain and a volume of 7 does very well, with low self-noise and a clear sound. As other say, I wouldn't want to make critical environmental recordings with this basic setup, despite its good performance compared to the cost (this is a podcaster's dream machine). It might work very well, however, for soundscapes involving louder sounds, like crowded places, interviews or dialogues. To be tried soon. It should be clear that recording low volume ambience sounds is always a very demanding task, requiring for very sophisticate gears. Since I also bought a pair of SP-CMC-8 (AT943) lavalier mics, I tried them with plugin power supplied from the DR-1. The sound immediately opened-up and became more natural, with way less noise and a more pleasant timbral quality. High sensitivity is still too hissy, but the Mid gain at volume 7 works extremely well with these mics. I can think to use the bundle DR-1 / SP-CMC-8 for critical recording tasks. I must still try the external 12V power supply for the microphones, but I expect an even improved sound (this seshould lower the self-noise of some 9-15dB, that is really a lot starting from an already good situation). I will post some samples later, after I will have been doing more tests. Paolo