Idiot Proof solution!!???

[Buddhaman]

Guys---

I work at a school and they asked me to find out the longest medium quality stereo recording option/medium---with the intent of recording day long (8 hour ) Board meetings, etc...

I immediately thought of a laptop running cubase with a mini me or something---\

Then they told me that it needs to be idiot proof---basically plug and play

That rules out "The computer"

should I go with like a dvd burner or one of those roland or tascam recorders...

Location recorders, What do you suggest?

Buddhaman

[bradavenson]

Nothing is idiot proof, but look at the alesis masterlink. You can get 40 gig hard drives in them now. It works like a CD burner.

[Nik D]

Maybe a VCR? Seems like that could be the most idiot proof soloution, as everyone's used a VCR before.

[Buddhaman]

Guys--

Thanks for the help----

The VCR was suggested in house---but I want the tech guys who get the days dump to be able to suck the take into a computer asn==nd burn to cd/dvd...etc

I think the masterlink would be perfect---thanks for the suggestion!!

Buddhaman

[Remoteness]

Nik, the best idiot proof idea is using a VCR. I was gonna recommend making sure you stick a piece of Gaffer tape where the flashing 12:00 is. You wouldn't want to confuse the operator.

Buddhaman, Although it isn't a fool proof solution, the Masterlink sounds like a splendid idea.

Tascam's new Hi-Res DSD recorder, the DVRA1000 can be a killer option for you. There's no hard drive -- It records right to DVD media. Here's their product link > DV-RA1000

This might be a perfect solution to your situation. Checkout the details in their description.

[PrincipalSound]

Hey, it might be worth getting an ADAT HD24. Even though it's a digital multi-track recorder, it can record enormously-long 2ch. songs. On a 50GB HD, you would have way more than 8 hours. It's totally idiot-proof as well. Turn it on, press two buttons, and you're recording. Press stop and it's done. It offers multiple resoultions too. It's rock solid. I've never had it crash. The only thing I would recommend is a good UPS/power conditioner. It is a little sensitive to power outages (as in losing the entire song!). You can transfer the finished files via 10Mb ethernet, Firewire, ADAT or 1/4" TRS line-level analog.

[Henchman]

I would look for a solution that can record MP3 encoded.
Saves tons of diskspace. Can quickly be transferred. Etc.

I wouldn't even think about high quality/24bit etc.
This is for boardmeetings etc.
I did a quick search, and this sofwtare will do it:

http://www.cooolsoft.com/

Again. Nothing is idiot proof.
They will still need someone to set up mics etc. So that person can be in control of the recorder.
And I agree. A laptop would eb the way to go.

Other than that. get a cassette recorder.

[bigbean]

They are always building bigger idiots.


Olympus makes some cool SD or SmartCard portables that will record mono for a very long time and also come with transcription packages and software. They use a propriatary file system that sounds fine for voice recording. They are a pain in the ass to adapt to an installed system but it can be done ( did a city council chambers with one and it has been working well for two years)


Marantzpro (D/M) pro builds some solid storage recorders with mic pres
They will record MP3 or wav files onto flash cards or micro drives. file transfer is easy just put it in a card reader and load it to Pro Tools, Sound Forge or whatever that could work.

HD-24s have some bad habits but work 99% of the time ( check out the Yahoo group for HD24 it will make your blood run cold!)

[Bixby]

Check out the rackmount Marantz Flash recorder - the PMD 570.