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

["Paul B. Walker, Jr." <walkerbroadcasting@xxxxxxxxx>]

We've gotta get this 35kb message limit quashed.. that is so old school and
outdated.



On Mon, Dec 7, 2015 at 7:27 PM, Mark Connelly via IRCA <
irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

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> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Mark Connelly <markwa1ion@xxxxxxx>
> To: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Cc:
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 20:27:43 -0500
> Subject: Re: Audio capture (was: A useful smartphone app for DX'ers) PART
> 1 OF 2
>
>
>
>
> "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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