Recording in remote locations

[BillS]

May have the opportunity to do some music recording in Africa. Most places we will be visiting will have power, but some sessions may be in villages without power (unless I bring a really long extension cord).

Any ideas on what would be the best portable setup. We will already be taking a fairly powerful laptop computer.

Am thinking we want at least 4 channels.
Phantom power.
What else. Thanks for the input.

 

[ola]

Hello,

Sounds like an interesting project. Make sure that you post some tracks in the MP3 mixing clinic when you're done.

I only know of one recording soundcard that works with laptops and it's the Ego Systems WaveTerminal U2A (maybe there are more). It won't fully fill your needs though as it has only 2 channels and no phantom power. Maybe you can use 2 of those soundcards at the same time and use separate preamps that run on battery or fill your truck with car batteries and get a transformer to get "regular" power. Maybe a small four-track would be better as a recording than the computer in this case. It might even be possible to find one that runs on battery.

Solar power perhaps? That would be really cool.

Good luck

/Ola

 

[BillS]

Thanks Ola for the reply and the information.

After browsing around the web I also am thinking that a stand-alone portable recording system would work best.
What do you all think. DAT? Mini-disc? Model #'s?

I am eager to read more replies.

 

[Shailat]

4 channals is going to be a problem unless you find out some way to power them.
If you do then post your solution.

I once used a 1/4 inch tape I borrowed from a engineer friend from one of the news networks here. It's the kind you lug around outside on your shoulder and it is powered by battaries and it has phantom power on it. They used to use it
to record things while moving around with a boom.
It was a long time ago but I think it had stereo inputs.

If your interested I'll give him a call and get back to you

 

[ola]

Why do you need at least four channels? I presume that you will be recording singing and acoustic instruments so all you really need is a pair of (preferably) omnidirectional (preferably) condenser mics and a regular DAT recorder. Minidisc would work as well but you'll loose some sound quality as minidisc compresses the signal. A friend of mine uses that setup regularly to record choirs and ensembles and he gets really good results.

Place the mics about 1m (3’) in front of the musician, or further away if it’s a large choir) and 30-60cm (1-2’) apart and you’re set

You will of course also need preamps and this is where it gets a bit tricky. You will simply have to find either stand-alone preamps or a small mixer with phantom power (if you use condenser mic) that runs on batteries. “Runs on batteries” include all gear that uses DC, such as the ones with an external transformer (wall wart?). A “car battery -> regular 110/220V 50/60Hz AC current transformer” only cost about $100 and I’m sure you can get enough Watts out of it to power a small mixer or a few preamps. If you get one of those, then you’re set, as you can use any gear you want. Just check how many Watts it can power and make sure that the added Watt consumption of your gear doesn’t exceed that.

Finally, if you get one of those car battery -> regular 110/220V 50/60Hz AC current transformers”, make your you bring a dedicated car battery for it so you don't drain your car's battery

/Ola

 

[Shailat]

I just thought of something.

you can use any battrie powered DAT or minidisk.
Use 2 (or more) of them so you'll have 4 (or more) tracks and use a claper to sync them up on a DAW.

 

[BillS]

Thanks for all the help. I feel much better equipped to beging searching for gear. There will be some settings where I was going to record the musicians and choir, and at the same time record a congregation/crowd singing and responding at the same time.

Looks like we will be going after the first of the year .... So if any more ideas crop up I still have plenty of time to check em out.

Thanks again. These forums are a great way for a newbie like me to gain from other's experiences and make the most of this upcomeing "one in a lifetime" experience.