Recording live opera performance with a handheld/portable sound recorder

MrQwerty · 18th January 2010

I want to record a live performance of an opera I will be going to. I'll jsut be in the audience, so I will need a portable/handheld type recorder, something kinda descreet. I've looked around on many websites to find the best to do the job, but I dont understand alot of the technical stuff. So I'm hoping to get some help. I understand that I will pick up alot of audience noise in the recording but I'm okay with that. Though I still want decent quality sound quality. Im willing to spend up to $500 - $600.
Any suggestions?

Peter Allison · 19th January 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrQwerty

I want to record a live performance of an opera I will be going to. I'll jsut be in the audience, so I will need a portable/handheld type recorder, something kinda descreet. I've looked around on many websites to find the best to do the job, but I dont understand alot of the technical stuff. So I'm hoping to get some help. I understand that I will pick up alot of audience noise in the recording but I'm okay with that. Though I still want decent quality sound quality. Im willing to spend up to $500 - $600.
Any suggestions?

have you thought of trying the Zoom H2?? H2 Handy Recorder i have personaly used mine to record pipe organs, in UK churches and cathedrals, with very good results too, apart from "bottom end" bass response, but I just put that down to the fact that the mics are cardoid, and the unit only cost £150

Peter

Ethan Winer · 19th January 2010

I have a Zoom H2 and it's great. The only downside in this application is that it's sensitive to handling noise. So if you hold it in your hand, or just leave it in your shirt pocket, you need to stay VERY still to avoid that noise.

--Ethan

MrQwerty · 19th January 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

I have a Zoom H2 and it's great. The only downside in this application is that it's sensitive to handling noise. So if you hold it in your hand, or just leave it in your shirt pocket, you need to stay VERY still to avoid that noise.

--Ethan

sensitive to handling noise? would that be the case with all portable/handheld type recorders, or are there ones that are to be better at dealing with handling noise? I looked at the device, and it says the battery life can only last for upto 4 hours, but it isnt uncommon for opera to run longer than that. So Id need something with better battery life. Anyway, thanks for your help, both of you

Ethan Winer · 19th January 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrQwerty

are there ones that are to be better at dealing with handling noise?

I have no idea, the only portable recorder I've tried is my Zoom H2. But be sure to ask about handling noise when buying.

--Ethan

Art G · 19th January 2010

Greetings,

R16 is not hand-held recorder, but can be used.

In December 2009 I wanted to record a Christmas Concert of an 80 member band in a large 1300 seat restored theater. I was not allowed to put mics up on stage, so I sat in the center section, seventh row from the front with a pad on my lap, and the R16 on top of the pad....literally a "laptop" recorder. Internal mics were used on Battery Power.

IMHO the sound was very good. My wife was also impressed with the recording. Program was downloaded and showed a typical average signal to noise ratio(S/N) of about 40db. Clapping-of course-caused some clipping, but this was edited out using DAW.

Hope this helps. Just my .02.

Art G.

Peter Allison · 19th January 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

I have a Zoom H2 and it's great. The only downside in this application is that it's sensitive to handling noise. So if you hold it in your hand, or just leave it in your shirt pocket, you need to stay VERY still to avoid that noise.

--Ethan

I would think that anything hand held would cause noise, and also i found it picked up quite a bit of "reflection", when just placed on a marble floor, ok, so it was the floor of the choir in Durham cathedral. I now use a mic stand to raise it from the floor by 8', which is fine. the recorded sound has impressed a few people, and when replayed through my 5.1 home cinema system, it stands up for itself very well, altho I am now looking to upgrade to News - Marantz PMD661

eoats · 20th January 2010

I tried out a few of these;

The Sony PCM D50 sounded best but also WORST for handling noise.

Zoom H4 was OK. Some nice features.

Tascam DR 07 was the easiest for me to hold (got some nice applause used to sweeten in "Benjamin Button").

You do have permission to record, right?
Please don't think of going to the Opera, sitting in the audience & 'taping' a performance.

18th January 2010	#1
MrQwerty Gear interested Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 2 Thread Starter	Recording live opera performance with a handheld/portable sound recorder I want to record a live performance of an opera I will be going to. I'll jsut be in the audience, so I will need a portable/handheld type recorder, something kinda descreet. I've looked around on many websites to find the best to do the job, but I dont understand alot of the technical stuff. So I'm hoping to get some help. I understand that I will pick up alot of audience noise in the recording but I'm okay with that. Though I still want decent quality sound quality. Im willing to spend up to $500 - $600. Any suggestions?

19th January 2010	#3
Ethan Winer Gear Guru Joined: Oct 2002 Location: New Milford, CT, USA Posts: 12,334	I have a Zoom H2 and it's great. The only downside in this application is that it's sensitive to handling noise. So if you hold it in your hand, or just leave it in your shirt pocket, you need to stay VERY still to avoid that noise. --Ethan __________________ Ethan's audio book is now available!

19th January 2010	#6
Art G Gear interested Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 22	Recording Live Greetings, R16 is not hand-held recorder, but can be used. In December 2009 I wanted to record a Christmas Concert of an 80 member band in a large 1300 seat restored theater. I was not allowed to put mics up on stage, so I sat in the center section, seventh row from the front with a pad on my lap, and the R16 on top of the pad....literally a "laptop" recorder. Internal mics were used on Battery Power. IMHO the sound was very good. My wife was also impressed with the recording. Program was downloaded and showed a typical average signal to noise ratio(S/N) of about 40db. Clapping-of course-caused some clipping, but this was edited out using DAW. Hope this helps. Just my .02. Art G.

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20th January 2010	#8
eoats Gear addict Joined: Sep 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 462	I tried out a few of these; The Sony PCM D50 sounded best but also WORST for handling noise. Zoom H4 was OK. Some nice features. Tascam DR 07 was the easiest for me to hold (got some nice applause used to sweeten in "Benjamin Button"). You do have permission to record, right? Please don't think of going to the Opera, sitting in the audience & 'taping' a performance.