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This page addresses how to
record audio for qualitative research. The focus is on equipment and
tips for its best use. Audiotranskription.de, a German commercial site with fine information and product tips, is worth checking out too. Transcom offers a comparison review - thanks to Alan Stockdale for this tip. RECORDING EQUIPMENT Note: If you are buying new equipment strongly consider a hard drive or "flash" recorder - for better sound quality, smaller size, long battery life and ease in exporting audio files to computer or for transcription. These are much better than cassettes or mini-discs if you plan to use the sound files directly, without transcription, or both transcribe and use the audio directly. Still, mini-disk or cassettes can do a fine job, too. Don't invest in new equipment unless you need too. HARD DRIVE AND FLASH RECORDERS: "The State of the Art" Several hard drive and "flash" recorders can be used to directly record audio to computer file. The audio file is saved on disk for later transfer to computer or sharing with colleagues. Thus you can use them for transcription or directly as sound files with no extra work to change computer file formats. (Cassettes have to be converted to electronic files to use on computer. This is a "real time " process, so an hour of tape takes an hour to convert.) The quality of these machines is generally excellent. Do note, however, that an external microphone of high quality is still needed in some situations. File Formats: Be careful to chose a recorder that creates widely used file formats like .wav, .mp3 or .wma. Some recorders, like many Sony and Olympus products save to proprietary formats that are difficult to share with transcriptionists and colleagues. I would suggest you avoid them - thought they can be fine for simple recording and professional transcription. The drawbacks become apparent with data analysis software and presentation software from different makers. PRODUCTS TO CONSIDER - FLASH RECORDERS Edirol/Roland R-09 ($400 from Sweetwater.com) This digital recorder is small in size (4 inches x 2.5 x 1.1) and light in weight (6 oz). It uses SD memory chips up to 2 GB in capacity (a small 64MB is included with the unit). It records to .wav or mp3 file formats (mp3 up to 320kbps), 16 or 24 bit recording quality 44.1, 48kHz. It records in stereo or in mono. All this means the sound quality is exceptional. Great signal to noise ratio. USB 1.1 or 2.0 file transfer by cable, or transfer using the SD card itself if your computer has a media reader. Built in excellent stereo microphones as well as inputs for an external stereo microphone. Outstanding quality for voice or music. Will record for 6 hours with AA battery power, has an AC adapter. Changing SD cards allows for unlimited recording potential. Some minor background hiss, but not a problem in my view.
Zoom H2 ($200 from Sweetwater.com) Another small digital recorder using an SD card for removable storage (a 512MB card comes with it and might be all you need on a small project). The Zoom H2 records to .wav or .mp3 but reviewers suggest this is painfully slow). The .way format will do fine, is high quality but creates large files. The Zoom has several microphones built in so you can configure it to cover a larger or smaller area. Reviews do suggest the interface is a bit hard to follow - but it is half the price of the Edirol which might make the extra time to master it worth while. Reviewers note it has great sound quality, but also some background hiss. (I have not used one myself.)
Marantz PMD 660 ($500 from Sweetwater.com) or with
fewer features PMD 620 ($400) 660
Olympus LS-10 ($340 from J&R.com)
INTERNAL MEMORY RECORDERS - NON-REMOVABLE MEMORY (Do consider the removable storage recorders. The higher initial cost may be worth the quality, convenience and flexibility.) Olympus WS-310M (about $130)
The less expensive Olympus WS-200 ($90 at Newegg.com) has 128M of internal flash memory and also records to .wma file format. USB file transfer Good recording quality. However, user reviewers note that the plastic body seems cheap; battery falls out unless taped in - but they note that the recording quality is quite good. The tiny Creative Zen Nano Plus 1 GB. This is a tiny player (2.6 inches x 1.5 x .5), but has great sound quality and records using either and internal microphone (which is pretty good) or uses an external microphone via a line in input jack. With one AAA battery it runs for about 15 hours. Menus are small but navigating with the thumbwheel is not hard (but takes some using to master - and dexterity). The Creative Zen Nano (no Plus) records using the internal microphone but the Plus is definitely the better choice for recording due to the external microphone jack and a $10 price differential. The 1 GB of flash memory allows for many hours of recording. (Note: the microphone jack is smaller than the usual headphone jack size. You will need an adapter to plug in many microphones with the usual small size jack - available for a few dollars at RadioShack.)
HARD DRIVE RECORDERS (Probably not the best option as a new purchase when compared to the removable storage recorders above - but great if you have access to one.) I have used the iRiver iHP-140 for over two years. It has been great, but is discontinued. The current iRiver H10 or iRiver Lounge are comparable (both about $300). Both record mono in .mp3 or .wav formats at user defined quality levels (up to .mp3 @320 kbps). 90hz signal to noise ratio. Great internal mono microphone and sound quality (though not quite as good as the Creative products on output in my opinion). Can be used with an external mono microphone as well. Both are the size of a package of cigarettes and very light weight. User controls are easy to master. USB file transfer. Comes with an AC adapter and has a 15 hour plus battery run time. Some user/reviewers have had reliability concerns, player dies after a long or short time in use.
Another hard drive based option I have used is the Creative Zen Micro Photo. This tiny recorder (3 inches x 2 x .7) has an 8GB hard drive and weighs 4 ounces. It sounds great on recording and playback (96 db signal to noise ratio). It records in .mp3, .wav, .wma and several other file formats. USB file transfer. The controls are sensitive to the point of annoyance but the results are worth learning them well. Records up to 15 hours on a built-in rechargeable battery which unfortunately has to be plugged in a computer USB port to recharge - a drawback if you are way out in the field. I have heard clocks ticking in quiet moments of recordings done in people's homes.
Pros and Cons: The benefits of hard disk and/or flash recording are many: Sound quality is outstanding, battery life excellent, and recording capacity amazing (hours and hours). With a hard disk, there is no media to purchase, lose or have jam up. The unit is very small and doubles as a music player. Transfer to computer is via a USB cable, usually included. However, if the disk drive dies, you are stuck. (I have not had any problems in over two years. I do quickly transfer data to another PC and make backups to yet another PC or disk) With flash media, you can remove the SD of CF chip and plug it into a reader (about $20) for direct import to the computer. Some even plug directly into a USB port. The chips are very small and can get lost. (I have lost one.) I suggest you box them in their plastic containers to make them more visible. These recorders are very reliable, too. Alas, they can fail. Once you copy the sound files to a computer, they are ready for transcription or coding as audio. Software like ATLAS can code .wav or .mp3 audio/music files directly without transcription. The main limitation: Make sure your transcriptionist can handle the file formats and chip types you are using.
MINI-DISCs (Probably not the best option as a new purchase when compared to the all electronic removable storage recorders above - but great if you have access to one.) Mini-discs are basically small CDs. They offer fine quality but you need to change media every hour or so (and carry it with you)! I have used a Sony MZ-B100 Mini-disc recorder. It is about the size of a pack of cigarettes and has built in stereo microphones. (The stereo recording capability is unique.) The quality is great - none of the hiss you get with tapes. Batteries last for about 24 hours (but always have spares on hand!) It records up to 74 minutes at highest quality up to 160 minutes mono, lower quality on a single mini-cd disc. Once recorded, you can then download the files (.wav format) to a computer, making the disc available for reuse. One drawback: the files size is large and may require conversion to a more compact format like .mp3 (especially if you plan to email it to a colleague). The MZ B-100 is quite easy to use. As with cassettes, always use the same brand of mini-disc. (The lubricants differ and this avoids problems.) They are also much cheaper to purchase in bulk. On some other minidisk or similar recorders you will need a plug in microphone. Be sure it is omnidirectional and of excellent quality. The trick here is that while everything is self contained for recording, you must get a cable with the appropriate plugs to connect from the recorder to the sound card of a computer (Radio Shack, $10). Once you do this you can transfer the electronic file and re-use the disc. Converting the file to .mp3 is done through Music Match (a free .mp3 player for your computer available via download) or software to edit music that comes with a CD-RW recorder (Roxio EZ CD Creator, Nero Burner, etc.) Pros and Cons: Small size, no external microphone is needed (for MZ B-100), sound quality is great, battery life excellent, but you have to change discs and perhaps file formats. Again, your transcriptionist may need a cassette in which case you much copy in real time to a cassette at lower quality (though your original is left in tact).
CASSETTES (Fine, but higher fidelity options are available. Given costs of tapes, probably not an economical option anymore). Start with a high quality recorder. Use a high quality reliable recorder and a separate microphone if needed. You can use reporter-style, hand size sets, but then you'll need a separate omni-directional microphone. Be sure it is omni-directional, not uni-directional (which is great for one person singing when your hold it to your mouth, but won't capture two people speaking across a table very well.) Alternatively, a professional quality Marantz tape machine has a fine omni-directional microphone built in -- about $225.00 [US]. (Mono is fine for speech. If you have a stereo microphone, just plug one connector into your recorder. It will work fine.) (Both of my $75.00 Sony hand size recorders broke after about a year's use. The Marantz is larger and heavier, but still running fine after three ears of hard use.) Use only high grade tapes - ideally all of the same brand. Don't use cheap tapes or any longer than 90 minutes total. I use Maxell XLII 90 minute tapes. Purchase by the dozen or a ten pack they cost $1.00 to $1.25 each. (120 minute tapes seem like a good idea but the tape is very thin and most portable machines can't turn the weight of the tape very well, reducing recording quality if they work at all). Tapes differ in lubricants, it is best to use the same brand once you find one that is fully satisfactory. Also, don't re-use tapes - the original is needed for potential audit and recording quality suffers when tapes are re-used.
MICROPHONES (Needed in some large settings. The Edirol and Zoom recorders have excellent microphones built in.) You get what you pay for. The over $150 dollar ones really sound much better. (Check with your university Audio-Visual staff.) A weighted base/stand and a 6 foot or more cable length are also good. Many have mini jacks with converters that allow direct plug into a computer vua USB. I have used Sony omni-directional mono microphones with fine success. The card style works well for small groups or a family. The stand up style is fine for two or three people fairly close together. (Always test!!) The Sound Professionals Omnidirectional dual mono microphone SP-HHM-1 with a weighted base works very well. For the Creative Zen Nano Plus consider a mono mini mike; Such as the Sound Professionals Mini Mono Omnidirectional ($35) wired for dual mono. This tiny mike plugs directly into a mini jack and sticks out of the recorder. Note: Most music microphones are uni-directional or cardioid
(heart shaped pickup pattern). You want Be sure the plugs fit your recorder (inexpensive recorders use min plugs (like headphones) but better microphones may have different sized jacks.
Many methods can meet your needs! to Social Work Resources Home Page
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