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Re: [IRCA] Audio capture (was: A useful smartphone app for DX'ers) PART 1 OF 2

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"PART 1" because the Atari hooked up to the list server couldn't handle the original wicked long message  ...


This opens up a good topic for discussion: production of DX audio files.


In the past 50 or so years, my techniques have progressed from:


(1: '60s/'70s) Reel-to-reel tape with a patch cord to the receiver audio out.  If tapped off the speaker or 8-ohm headphone jack instead of 600 ohm "line" audio out, a resistive pad would be used.  OK for home (or house DXpedition) use but not for "field" (in car etc.) DXpeditioning.  Tapes that stayed in good shape were later dubbed to mp3.


This KSL 1160 recording from January 1974 was done this way (reception at Menotomy Rocks Park, Arlington, MA: R-390A receiver):
http://chowdanet.com/markc/WEB2005A/dx_ksl-1160_19740107_0525z.mp3


Going back to 1965, a friend of mine provided this reception of WBZ's Dick Summer show from a US Navy ship anchored at Midway Island in the Pacific.  The recording survived transfer from reel-to-reel to cassette and then to mp3.  Receiver: R-390A.
http://chowdanet.com/markc/WEB2005A/dx_wbz-1030_heard_from_midway_island_oct1965.mp3


(2: Mid '70s through early 2000's)  Cassette recorder with patch cord to the receiver audio out.
Initially portable cassette recorders did not have adequate fidelity (or audio-input jacks) so stereo decks that were part of home entertainment gear were used.


Here's a 1975 recording - 40 years ago this month - done this way.  Germany 1586 absolutely blasting in at Sudbury, MA, 20 miles west of Boston: R-390A, swamp-terminated Beverage pointed at northern Europe:
http://chowdanet.com/markc/WEB2005A/dx_w-germany-1586_19751217_0625z.mp3


By 1977 portable cassette recorders progressed to sufficient quality for DX, if not audiophile, recording purposes.  This brought DX audio capture out in the field, so to speak, for recording during travelling (in car, in hotel room, etc.).  Sometime bias harmonics could interfere with DX (like old-school TV birdies) but moving the recorder could typically overcome the problem.


Here's 850 WHDH Boston recorded from Ireland in '77 with an unaided Realistic TRF connected to a Panasonic battery powered cassette recorder.
http://chowdanet.com/markc/dx_audio/WHDH_850_heard_in_Ireland_1977.mp3


(3: Early 2000's to present) Portable digital-format recorder.  One drawback is that these had somewhat more interference potential than portable analog cassette recorders.  A bit more care needed to be exercised in terms of shielding, patch cable length, placement, etc. especially when DXing with a portable radio or with an indoor loop.


C. Crane's "Pogo Radio YourWay LX" ( http://www.cnet.com/products/pogo-products-radio-yourway-lx/ ) was one of the first out of the gate.  It even had its own built-in AM / FM receiver that was deaf as a post.  Recording from a real receiver (via line-in) was the objective anyway, so that didn't matter.


Here's a 2006 recording of Saudi Arabia 1521 made from Granite Pier (Rockport, MA) with the Pogo recorder fed from a Drake R8A.  The audio is a bit "artifacty" sounding by modern standards but certainly adequate as a DX audio document.
http://www.qsl.net/wa1ion/audio1/dx_saudi_arabia-1521_20060503_2300z.mp3


I have since used other portable digital recorders including models by Zoom, Archos, and Edirol.  Tascam also makes several models that could be useful.


The following articles (and other ones easily found by Googling) might be helpful:
http://www.wirerealm.com/guides/top-10-best-portable-recorders
https://www.musicedmagic.com/music-technology/portable-digital-audio-recorder-buying-guide-with-reviews.html


DXers would generally be less interested in microphone based recording since a patch cord is a better way to go.  Ability to adjust audio level in an uncompressed mode is advisable though it's also good to have auto-levelling ability as well.  Removable media cards are definitely a good thing (as with still and video cameras).  Online reviews will not look into RFI, an issue of specific interest to us.  DXers will have to figure that out on their own (and publish their findings).


C. Crane's more recent offering, the "C. C. Witness", does a reasonable job for on-the-go recording.  Like the Pogo, it has a built-in AM / FM radio of limited value.  This is what I used on this 2013 recording of WBZ made at my brother-in-law's place at Lake Wylie in Fort Mill, SC.  Receiver used: Kaito KA1003 portable.
http://chowdanet.com/markc/dx_audio/wbz-1030_heard_in_sc_20131226_2315z.mp3
   
 
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