recording/interviewing
Transom Mic Shootout
Okay, if you are even a little bit techie, you're going to love this. It's Part One of a most fabulous online Microphone Shootout, the logical continuation of Transom's ever-popular "What Microphone Should I Buy" discussions. It was conducted by our TOOLS Editor, Jeff Towne, in cooperation with the Association of Independents in Radio (AIR) and Indre Studios in Philadelphia, and it's fun because you get to play along. Like a blind taste-test.
There are streaming or downloadable files of both male and female voices recorded on eighteen studio mics, valued from $79 to $2,600, and listed only by a letter. You decide which you like best. We even give you a form to fill out. The experts have opinions too. Compare yours to theirs. When you're done, find out which mics you picked, and see pictures, specs, and prices. If you're not a techie, call your friends who are and tell them about this. They'll appreciate it.
... more >>
The Marantz PMD 660
Last month, we featured the '57 Chevy of field recorders, the Sony
TC-D5M Cassette. Now we're test driving something shiny and new, the
just-released Marantz PMD660 Flash Media Recorder.
This thing will fit in the palm of your hand (if you have a very big
palm, but still...), it runs on four double-A batteries, has XLR mic
inputs with phantom power, records to Compact Flash cards (now readily
available in multiple gigs for reasonable dollars), and transfers the
resultant files via USB to any Mac or PC for handy importing into
digital editing software. And, it's pretty cheap. Under $500.
This is the kind of technical advance that interests Transom, because
it puts high-level technology in the hands of many. Our TOOLS Editor
Jeff Towne has taken this unit around the block and he tells you what
he likes and what he doesn't...
... more >>
 The Sony TC-D5M
Hard drive recorders may soon eclipse older portable gear. We'll be
the first to test them. But in the last few weeks before that happens,
we're posting the basic instructions to the TCD-5M portable cassette rigs we loan out, plus PDFs of the
Owner's Manual and even the Service Manual. For posterity.
 Minidisc Guide
Guidelines & Recommendations
People chronically ask us, "Which minidisc recorder should I buy?" Models keep changing and tastes vary, but our Tools Editor Jeff Towne has finally made some recommendations, employing on-the-ground reviews from knowledgeable users like the staff of This American Life, wandering journalist Alan Weisman, and minidisc guru Michael Johnson. Finally, you can stop asking.
What to Buy
One of the most common questions on Transom is: "What should I buy?" Jay Allison takes a crack at answering this question in a piece for an upcoming Whole Earth Review. For those of you itching to get started, but don't have a lot of money - this article is for you.
... more >>
Remote Recording
Survival Guide
Taking a trip? Don't know where you'll be sleeping first night? Second night? What about the weather?... Tom Lopez runs down the essential basics of taking your act on the road and bringing both your equipment and your work back intact.
... more >>
Stereotypes
Tools editor Jeff Towne shows us the making and mechanics of stereo mics and stereo miking.
... more >>
What Microphone Do I Get?
Whether it's in the studio or on location, getting your recordings to sound their best starts with having the right mic for the job. In this article, Tools editor Jeff Towne explains the key differences between the many models available and how best to put them to use. It's everything you wanted to know about mics, but were afraid to ask.
... more >>
Other Articles
Recording Highs & Lows - Barrett Golding
The Basics - Jay Allison
Tools Talk
Got questions? Got ideas? Don't forget to join our Transom Talk section for further discussion on the Tools of the trade and the craft that lies behind radio artistry.
| 
