Instead of zoom, how about an ipod touch

There are software applications available in iTunes for recording audio.

And there are hardware plug-in adapters for getting the audio into the docking connector at the bottom of the iPod.

I don't think there is any way to plug a microphone directly into the existing headphone jack on an iPod Touch. It appears to be headphone output only.

For recording "reality" location dialog, it is probably acceptable. But is not a substitute for the full functionality, control, and quality of a dedicated digital audio recorder.
 
Plus you have no way to monitor the audio levels, so you won't know if the sound is good until it's too late.

Holy cow... I just thought of a product, well, an application...

But the question is... when 'monitoring' for sound, is it required that the sound be absolutely fidelitous, like quality to feed directly in to a basestation recording setup.

Or, can the sound be 'good enough' to make sure levels are being recorded, and the 'device in the pocket' (or are you just happy to get married...) can record the fidelity required, given the device's specs...
 
Thousands of weddings are shot using small inexpensive digital voice recorders in the groom's pocket. Using a known good system with a decent clip-on mic and auto-level is sufficient for 99% confidence level. No need to ever-engineer this. It isn't rocket surgery.
 
I've thought about trying something like that. I would be nervous about not being able to monitor the audio, but half of the problems that might arise during a wedding you can't do anything about once the wedding's started anyway.
 
I'd like to throw down for a quality lav like the Countryman B6. Does this always use XLR? It'd be cool to be able to plug the B6 into something small like the DR-07 and have it sound good.
 
When you buy a lav you get it wired for whatever you want, including XLR. Most of the time though it's just wired to whatever wireless gear you have.

On the B6, it's professional but unless you need to super-small size the COS-11d might work better. It's more durable (the B6 snaps pretty easily) and better with wind. My 2c.

(And just combining posts as I noticed a different post you made, the H4n's battery life is only decent if the phantom power is off. I would suggest checking that)
 
Would a COS-11d or B6 wired with XLR, plugged into a Zoom H4n work well enough? I was hoping to have a small enough recorder to fit into the subject's pocket, but I guess that's not possible.

I don't want to use wireless audio.
 
Not bad specs. What lavaliere

Main Features



Dependable and simple - all in one. The easy-to-use VN-6200 PC gives you peace of mind with 1GB of internal memory allowing for 444 hours of recording time. Its PC link capabilities offer simple downloading of audio files for saving, emailing and file management. With WMA playback, no extra software is required - just plug in the recorder and you are ready to go!


PC LINK WITH USB 2.0 PORT.
Upload files directly to your PC using a simple cable connection for easy file management. The USB 2.0 allows high-speed mass storage of files and fast transfers to your PC.

VARIABLE CONTROL VOICE ACTUATOR.
Voice activation extends recording time and saves battery life by recording only when the microphone senses sound.

RECORDING MODES.
Lets you select standard playback (SP), long playback (LP) or high quality (HQ) mode.

WINDOWS MEDIA AUDIO.
Enables high-quality recording - no additional software required.


Features & Benefits:
  • Transfer audio files quickly and easily to a computer with the convenient PC link.
  • Voice activation extends recording time by recording only when the microphone senses sound.
  • Record up to 444 hours of uninterrupted audio in LP mode.
  • Select from three recording modes to meet your specific needs: HQ for high quality; SP and LP for extended recording.
  • Index marks let you specify a particular point in a recording or playback for easy retrieval.
  • Large LCD for easy, quick viewing of file locations, recording status and battery life.
  • Slow and Fast Playback modes let you listen to audio 25 percent slower or 50 percent faster than real time.
  • Contains five folders that each hold up to 200 files.
  • Alarm Playback: Playback a pre-selected file at a specific time for reminders or wake-up calls.
Specifications:
  • Recording Format: WMA (Windows Media Audio)
  • Recording Media: Built-in 1GB flash memory
  • Recording Time
    • HQ mode: Approximately 70 hours, 55 minutes
    • SP mode: Approximately 139 hours, 35 minutes
    • LP mode: Approximately 444 hours, 00 minutes
  • PC Interface: USB
  • LED: Two colors (red = record; green = playback)
  • Folders Messages: 5 / 200 per folder
  • Sampling Frequency
    • HQ: 44.1 kHz
    • SP: 22 kHz
    • LP: 8 kHz
  • Overall Frequency Response
    • HQ: 200-13,000 Hz
    • SP: 200-7,000 Hz
    • LP: 200-3,000 Hz
  • LP Mode: Yes
  • Voice Activation: Yes
  • Practical Maximum Output: 250 mW
  • Speaker: 23 mm round dynamic speaker
  • Microphone Jack: 3.5 mm mini-jack, impedance 2k ohms
  • Earphone Jack: 3.5 mm mini-jack, impedance 8 ohms
  • Power Supply: Two AAA alkaline (LR03 or R03) batteries or Two AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries
  • Batteries
    • Alkaline: Approximately 37 hours
    • NiMH: Approximately 25 hours
  • OS Supported
    • Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista (Standard Installation)
    • Macintosh Mac OS X 10.2.8 "Jaguar" ~ 10.5 "Leopard" (Standard Installation)
  • USB Port: At least one free USB port
  • Audio Output: Speaker or earphone output
 
One big alarm bell in the specs should cause immediate rejection IMO ... "Recording Format: WMA (Windows Media Audio)" Never - ever - record double system sound using a lossy compression format such as MP3 or WMA and expect it to sync smoothly later. WMA will not go directly onto the timeline in most editors - it needs to be converted to wav and the sample rate in most conversions wanders all over the place. In addition, only HQ has a sample rate in the range acceptable for video use - SP at 22kHz or LP at 8kHz are completely out of the question and even HQ at 44.1 isn't quite right. If a recorder will not go to 48kHz WAV or BWF file format don't even consider it for production recording. Little pocket recorders like the Oly are for verbal note-taking, not serious recording for reproduction.
 
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Good point, Steve.
These recorders are definitely are not high end audio equipment. But I did find this interesting clip, using an Olympus recorder....
http://vimeo.com/8927067
Seems very decent. I am just a weekend warrior, so for my simple/low cost needs. An Olympus voice recorder may be sufficient.
Thoughts?
 
That's taky from lacolor. Nice guy sold me a comer 800 video light. I gave him a hard time and he was nothing but nice.

What would be better to get the birde and grooms voice. Omni or Cardioid?
 
There are a couple of new apps for the iphone and ipod Touch that make it a fairly high quality recorder when using a good quality mike that is made for these units. Below is a sight dedicated to apps for film and video recording. I noticed at least two apps. One is free and works with the Mickey made by Blue Microphones.

The sites is:

http://www.handheldhollywood.com/
 
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