Chris F
New member
I've been asked to consult for a purchase at the university where I teach. The tech person, who is really a computer specialist, has been asked to buy 10 standalone CD recorders, and equipment to allow the applied faculty to record their private lessons. She has no idea about any of this stuff, so she asked for my advice. I'm doing a little research, and thought I migt ask here for some opinions that might possibly alert me to some gear I didn't know about.
Basically, all that is needed is the most basic and CHEAP but reliable signal chain to allow an instructor to flip a switch, turn on a mic, and get on with the lesson. I made several suggestions:
1) A standalone that could also make a copy for the student would be nice, although not required, since most teachers would send the CDs home with the students anyway.
2) there doesn't seem to be much in the way of CHEAP standalones out there that come with a built-in pre that I know of, so a Sony dual deck with RCA ins would probably be pretty idiot proof - and believe me, some of us college profs ARE idiots when it comes to this stuff.
3) If #3 holds true, we're gonna need a really basic pre to set the recording level with. My only question here is, since most of the recordings will be mono, how can we get the signal from a single mono to dual RCA...will a simple splitter cable work?
With all that said, we were able to find a simple SOny dual deck for about $300. For mics, I suggested either a simple rugged SM57 (because it would be hard to **** up), or one of the cheap Chinese LD condensers that are going from anywhere from $60 to $80. I told her that I'd prefer something like a SP B1 (since I like the one I have), but that since super quality is not really the issue, a cheaper mic would probably do as long as it worked. She's trying to buy as many units for as little money as she can, of course. What say about the cheap mics?
For pres, about the cheapest thing I could find were the ART Tube MPs, which are about $50. Is there anything better in that range? I know we're talking about el cheapo stuff, but you also need to rememebr that the intended purpose is pretty lo-fi.
All suggestions welcome.
Basically, all that is needed is the most basic and CHEAP but reliable signal chain to allow an instructor to flip a switch, turn on a mic, and get on with the lesson. I made several suggestions:
1) A standalone that could also make a copy for the student would be nice, although not required, since most teachers would send the CDs home with the students anyway.
2) there doesn't seem to be much in the way of CHEAP standalones out there that come with a built-in pre that I know of, so a Sony dual deck with RCA ins would probably be pretty idiot proof - and believe me, some of us college profs ARE idiots when it comes to this stuff.
3) If #3 holds true, we're gonna need a really basic pre to set the recording level with. My only question here is, since most of the recordings will be mono, how can we get the signal from a single mono to dual RCA...will a simple splitter cable work?
With all that said, we were able to find a simple SOny dual deck for about $300. For mics, I suggested either a simple rugged SM57 (because it would be hard to **** up), or one of the cheap Chinese LD condensers that are going from anywhere from $60 to $80. I told her that I'd prefer something like a SP B1 (since I like the one I have), but that since super quality is not really the issue, a cheaper mic would probably do as long as it worked. She's trying to buy as many units for as little money as she can, of course. What say about the cheap mics?
For pres, about the cheapest thing I could find were the ART Tube MPs, which are about $50. Is there anything better in that range? I know we're talking about el cheapo stuff, but you also need to rememebr that the intended purpose is pretty lo-fi.
All suggestions welcome.