Re: recording with Edirol (Roland) R-9

<lifeisone@xxxxxxxxx> wrote ...
Has anyone used the R-9 for recording a small conference, if so how
does it sound?

There is such a wide range of ambient situations that it would
be irresponsible to attempt to say that "yes it will work" or "no it
won't work". If you placed it in the middle of a round table with
all the participants seated equal-distance from it, in a reaonsbly
quitet room, I would bet that you could get a decent recording.
But if the room in noisy, or the students are too far away or the
lecturer turns to write something on the board, you will likely
not be very happy with the recording.

It also depends on what quality you expect from the recording.
Broadcast quality? Archive quality? Transcription quality?
Quick review quality?

Are there any prefered external mics that sound
better,

Without question. If for no other reason that you can get them
closer to the source(s).

and what is the best way to record a room of people?

Depends a great deal on what your budget, access, time,
etc. resources are...
1) Put a clip-on lapel mic on the lecturer. Whether this is
wireless or wired depends on your budget, etc. There is no
other practical way to mic a lecturer who walks around or
even turns to write on the board, etc.
2) Stand in the front of the room and aim a shotgun mic at
students as they speak.
3) Have the students come to a microphone to ask questions
or make comments. This is what is done in large auditoriums,
etc, but likely not workable for a typical classroom setting, etc.
4) Pass a hand-held wireless mic to students as they want to
speek (same limitations as #1)
5) Hire a couple of good mic boom operators with shotgun
mics and a mixer operator. This is what is done with larger-
budget film/video productions, etc.
6) Have the lecturer repeat the question for the recording.
7) Try using "PZM" microphones (the kind that mount on a
flat, reflective surface. In certain limited situations, it might
work, but I wouldn't bet on it.
8) likely others that I didn't think of at the moment.

I am trying to find the best way to record classes of 4 to 14 people
with a lecturer and question and answers from the group. If I can't
get a good recording of the small group with the internal mic, or the
best recomended external mic, I would consider the best way to record
the lecturer alone. I really appreciate peoples experience and
feedback!

Are you attempting to do this as a student from the class seating area?
Or are you actually officially recording the proceedings? What kind of
resources/budget do you have for this project?

At the very minimum, I would put a clip-on lapel mic on the lecturer
and position the R9 so that the other (built-in) mic picks up whatever
you can manage from the students, etc.


.

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