New here, want some help....

[PJRandallChevik]

I'm looking for a portable way to record my podcasts on the go. I'm thinking about getting a Mini-Disc recorder for it. I need to be able to run 2-4 mics into it, would this be feasible?

[greenmachine]

2: yes, since MDs are stereo by nature, you would use left and right channel. Depending on the mics you may need adapters.

3-4: not without an external mixer, which would make the rig less portable and the end result less flexible.

The Zoom H2 SD flash recorder can record in 2 or 4 channel mode from the internal cardioid mics, but they're built-in one-point mics and don't have that much separation. The external mic input is not that great.

Ask yourself: Would a stereo recorder be sufficient, why would you need more than 2 channels? Instead of close miking you could move the stereo recorder farther from the sources. Today's recorders are sensitive enough and noise not a major problem like in the days when we used tape.

[PJRandallChevik]

2: yes, since MDs are stereo by nature, you would use left and right channel. Depending on the mics you may need adapters.

3-4: not without an external mixer, which would make the rig less portable and the end result less flexible.

The Zoom H2 SD flash recorder can record in 2 or 4 channel mode from the internal cardioid mics, but they're built-in one-point mics and don't have that much separation. The external mic input is not that great.

Ask yourself: Would a stereo recorder be sufficient, why would you need more than 2 channels? Instead of close miking you could move the stereo recorder farther from the sources. Today's recorders are sensitive enough and noise not a major problem like in the days when we used tape.

Thanks for the advice, I was thinking about using a daisy-chain of splitter/mergers for 3 or more people. What do you think of that?