Field Recording: The Practice and it's possibilites

Telefunky

it doesn't simply improve it, but pulls it to a completely different level.
First of all it shuts off the auto gain feature, that's nice for walkie-talkie apps but spoils any musical recording with a 99% probability.
Best way to check it out is Audioshare recording, hardware settings, which also allows to set the digital gain.
I couldn't figure out (from ifixit photos) what kind of capsule is used, probably it's a digital MEMS type.
At least the cheapo thingy achieves an impressive 60dB signal to noise level, measured on my iPad mini Retina.
That means if the signal peaks at full scale, the noisefloor is at -60dB, lower than an iCA4+ delivers with an SM57.

Without measure mode the internal mic has noisefloor in the -40dB range.

Hmtx

That's impressive @Telefunky !

And if you get those results on iPad, presumably the iPhone mic is even better??!

skiphunt

@Telefunky said:
it doesn't simply improve it, but pulls it to a completely different level.
First of all it shuts off the auto gain feature, that's nice for walkie-talkie apps but spoils any musical recording with a 99% probability.
Best way to check it out is Audioshare recording, hardware settings, which also allows to set the digital gain.
I couldn't figure out (from ifixit photos) what kind of capsule is used, probably it's a digital MEMS type.
At least the cheapo thingy achieves an impressive 60dB signal to noise level, measured on my iPad mini Retina.
That means if the signal peaks at full scale, the noisefloor is at -60dB, lower than an iCA4+ delivers with an SM57.

Without measure mode the internal mic has noisefloor in the -40dB range.

Cool! I didn't even know what Measure Mode was. Just saw it in AudioShare after reading your post.

I'm got a little iRigPre (the older one that goes into the headphone jack, not the newer Lightning connector one). I've run XLR phantom powered large condenser mics and shotguns into the iPad with it. Not bad, but not nearly as good as just running it into a little Sony PCM-M10.

With the Measure Mode selected in AudioShare, with this set up via the iRigPre through the headphone jack, would there be a noticeably significant improvement?

Telefunky

I've asked myself that very same question a couple of times...
(you can only try out if the control appears in Audioshare)
If the microphone is a MEMS-Type then most likely not - those mics are entirely controlled by software. It's hard to imagine that performance from an analog capsule that small.

I never tried it myself, but the iRig Pre might work really well with a Triton Audio FetHead.
That's a ultra-low noise 20dB booster for dynamic microphones which also improves the sound of the critical first preamp stage.
Can be fed by the iRig's phantom power (draws way less current than a condensor mic)
That would result in a very compact setup, as the FetHead is just a plug between mic and cable...
http://tritonaudio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=4&id=17&Itemid=33

skiphunt

BTW: Tascam contacted me via phone and set my mind at ease with regard to the concerns I had. It does appear they’re actually there, and listening to customer’s concerns. All good now, and keeping the DR-22WL recorder.

[Deleted User]

@skiphunt said:
BTW: Tascam contacted me via phone and set my mind at ease with regard to the concerns I had. It does appear they’re actually there, and listening to customer’s concerns. All good now, and keeping the DR-22WL recorder.

Good for you, I just got the Tascam dr-05vll. This new version has everything in it like the 07mkll....overdub, FX, auto start, monitoring....
Will let you know how it is

skiphunt

@soundklinik said:

@skiphunt said:
BTW: Tascam contacted me via phone and set my mind at ease with regard to the concerns I had. It does appear they’re actually there, and listening to customer’s concerns. All good now, and keeping the DR-22WL recorder.

Good for you, I just got the Tascam dr-05vll. This new version has everything in it like the 07mkll....overdub, FX, auto start, monitoring....
Will let you know how it is

Oooh... that's one's cool too! Not very pricey either. I'm looking forward to exploring some fun stuff using the remote control via wifi. They've also been getting more aggressive in the digital filmmaking arena. This is only my second Tascam product. Seem to be decent stuff for reasonable pricing from what I've seen so far.