XLR iPod Hack

What do you get when you cross an iPod and an Alesis Protrack sleeve? An XLR audio recorder, apparently. While not exactly a “hack” since this is new equipment, it’s a pretty cool thing for most of us on tight budgets. This roughly $80 unit works with your iPod to record audio in a similar way the H4N and others do. From Thomann UK’s site:

Combo XLR-1/4″ inputs for connecting mics, mixers and more, stereo mini-jack headphone output, 48V phantom power, records 16-bit/44.1kHz or 22kHz stereo digital audio, onboard stereo condenser microphones (XY configuration), switchable limiter, threaded mounting point, AC/DC operation via 4x AAA batteries or AC adapter (included).

The sleeve is compatible with older iPods, 2nd generation iPod Touchs, and even an iPhone 3 or 3GS.

I’m super curious about this, and if I didn’t already have two H1’s I would pick one up to try it out. $80 is not much less than what the H1’s are going for, but they lack the XLR inputs for mics. Super special thanks to Cesar Quintero for this link. If anyone buys one and gives it a try, let me know!

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Lavalier Tests in the Danger Zone

Jets! Blackhawk helicopters! United! Oh my! And also, a very quick and simple test of the Audio-Technica ATR3350 lavalier mics I recently bought. In attempting to test the sound with and without the windscreens, I ended up losing the screens before the test. The quality is still really good, which is promising. It was really windy out there.

I also took a lot of pictures that day, so those should be posted soon as well.

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Zoom Zoom Zoom!

Realizing the need for an audio solution, I ordered a Samson Zoom H1 unit to try.

It’s small, light, and super easy to take anywhere I need. Being small, it’ll be pretty easy to hide amongst things if I need to get close but don’t want it visible. The only issue with it being so light is that I am afraid to drop it. The body is plastic, the XY microphones are plastic. I feel like I need to make a little safety vest for the thing to make sure it doesn’t get banged around too much.

The backlight is nice, and I’m sure it’ll get me out of some issues shooting in low or no light. The controls take some getting used to at first, and there’s no way to lock down the buttons. There is a lock setting, but it just stops you from accidentally stopping the recording.

Weird fact about me, I’m a sucker for electronic devices that talk to you. Like when the microwave says “Done!” or the television says “Hello!” It’s totally Skynet sneaking up on us slowly, but I think it’s cute. Extra points for use of the wrong cases in the wrong places.

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