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Understanding Audio Recording Formats
…or why I always recommend using the LPCM audio recording format to capture your research data. And there are many audio recording formats, but we are going to focus on the mp3 and the WAV/LPCM recording formats. Why? Because these two format are currently the most popular audio recording format that you’ll find on most…
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Taking Care of your Sony ICD-ux560 Voice Recorder
Today, I’m going to offer unsolicited advice. Why? Was at the office and made the mistake of plugging my Sony ux560 straight into my computer. Moved my chair to talk to a colleague, crunch! I’d smacked the recorder. Fortunately, nothing broke. It still works, but I was really disappointed for not following my own advice.…
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Understanding External Voice Recorder Memory or microSD Cards
Understanding Secure Digital (SD) cards, the most popular external voice recorder storage memory cards, is not easy. Back in the old days, all we cared about was the form factor and storage capacity of floppy disks: physical size and how much you could store in them. But that’s changed. SD cards have so many features…
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Best Way(s) to Record Telephone Interviews
“Hi Isaac, what would be the best way to record telephone or Skype interviews? I’m interviewing busy business people who have agreed to telephone and Skype interviews.” Louise The best way to record telephone interviews, that’s tough question. But I’ll attempt to answer it; this might turn out to be a long read. Bear with…
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Audio-Technica ATR-3350iS Lav Mic Review
This is probably the hardest review I’ve ever had to write. And that’s because the ATR 3350is features are a double edged sword; good and bad. Regardless of its shortcomings, I do like this microphone and do recommend it as one of the best clip-on microphone for interviews. Why, the awesome sound, and that’s the…
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Best Clip-on Microphone for Interviews
Most digital recorders work great for recording research interviews, expect when you’re in a noisy environment. I just penned a #howto record interviews in a noisy location, and on this post I’ll share the 3 features of any perfect clip on mic for interviews and then I’ll my top 3 recommendations for the best clip-on…
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Giant Squid Lav Mic Review
Confession. I am a utilitarian. I had the pleasure of reading J.S. Mill’s, “On Liberty” in my late teens and it made a huge impression. Utilitarian principles guide my epistemology and tend to seep into my reviews of products; I try to answer the question “what’s its use?” And the Giant Squid lavalier microphone is…
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How to Record Interviews in a Noisy Location
What gives transcribers nightmares? = Research interviews and focus groups recorded in a noisy location. And that’s because researchers expect us to perform miracles and turn poorly recorded data into immaculate transcripts. We don’t like disappointing our clients, but we’re not magicians! More importantly, is a concern for the validity and reliability of data collected;…
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Olympus ME33 Boundary Microphone Review
The Olympus ME33 boundary microphone is the mic that I recommend for recording medium and large focus group discussions. There are several reasons why, and I’ll touch on them later on in this review, but first a couple of suggestions. If you are looking to record focus groups, meetings or conferences in a boardroom setting,…
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Olympus WS-853 Review
3 years after I bought the Olympus WS-853, I write a review! I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to pen this review. Not for the lack of desire – just been bogged down with other “stuff”. But, due to public demand, I’m going to be writing a lot more in-depth product reviews.…
