[BC] Radio reporters survey

[Jonathan Marks]

Help wanted with radio reporters equipment survey


Colleagues. Perhaps you can help Jonathan Marks in the Netherlands to build
the best independent consumer-advice guide for radio reporters? Radio
production went digital ages ago. But radio reporters (especially freelance
feature/news makers) have been struggling with recorders that are either
modified consumer equipment or "special" units designed by people who have
never had to make a programme to a deadline. Many of the guides I have
picked up at trade shows are hopelessly out of date or go into far too much
technical detail. Jonathan believes passionately that this situation needs
to change. 

It seems Sony is about to kill the Minidisc format. The ATRAC format is no
longer supported in Sony Ericsson Walkman phones - so there's a bad sign.
For some people, the death of MiniDisc cannot be soon enough. For others,
the question is : so what can I use now? Where is the simple flash-recorder
with professional Canon input plugs that records in stereo or mono directly
to flash memory - and which costs in the region of US $300? Oh, and when the
recording is done, please copy it to my laptop at least 20 times faster than
the original length of the item. There are solutions out there on Jonathan's
<http://www.whatcaughtmyeye.blogspot.com/> broadcast and podcasting
(www.whatcaughtmyeye.blogspot.com) blog, but perhaps a concerted voice from
the industry is needed to get what we all want. Every new flash recorder
coming onto the market seems to have issues - either it is way too
expensive, too complicated, or looks like a physics experiment. Are you
going to interview someone important on one of these things? Do you trust it
make a good recording? Do you have to apologize while you fumble with
controls? See the problem?

Jonathan Marks is compiling a publication to be presented to some of the
leading recorder manufacturers early in 2006. It is a challenge to the
industry to build a simple, reliable, cheap professional flash-recorder for
freelance feature reporters. Radio news people already have devices for live
radio reporting.....I am talking about those doing interviews in the field.
There are hundreds of thousands of radio stations in the world, probably
millions of people with a need to capture a conversation in this
way....especially now that the net for podcasting is growing too. Can you
help Jonathan make the manufacturers wake up?

How can you help? 

All Jonathan needs is this: If you were designing an audio recorder for the
field, what would be the 5 most important things to keep in mind. Please
share any horror stories where equipment failed at the wrong moment - what
did you do to recover the recording? If your contribution is used, Jonathan
will send you a copy of the e-book and credit you in the publication. You
can reach Jonathan at  <mailto:j.p.marks at gmail.com> j.p.marks at gmail.com.
Deadline for contributions is December 31st 2005.

Please pass this message on to the production guys you know. The more
response, the more we can persuade the equipment manufacturers they're going
in the wrong direction.

Jonathan Marks

___________________________________

This e-mail originates from:

 

Jonathan Marks

Director

Critical Distance BV

Stam 69

1275CG Huizen

The Netherlands

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