EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT

Adobe Soundbooth CS3

The Adobe Soundbooth is a brand new audio software program that brings high-quality audio editing within the price range of the average person.
Soundbooth is easy to use straight out of the box. I downloaded the free 30-day trial download, installed it on my computer and opened a EVP file that was unfiltered and uncleaned. It had a lot of ambient noise and hiss on it. 10 seconds later I had a cleaner version with almost no hiss.
The interface of Soundbooth is very intuitive. If you are familiar with Adobe Photoshop you will recognize some of the tools available to you. Tools like the "marquee" and "lasso" allow you to select a region and apply various processes to it.
One of the coolest features though is the "auto-healing" tool. Change your waveform view to Spectrograph view and then select the "time selection" tool. Drag it over a section of noise you want to remove and click the "auto-healing" button. Seclect the intensity of removal and Soundbooth will remove that noise profile.
There is a Graphic and Parametric EQ as well that will allow you to dial in or out certain frequencies. Soundbooth is available for Mac as well as PC. If you are serious about cleaning EVP's then download this product and try it for yourself.
Download it here
Price $199.99

FEATURES:
• Visual tools for healing sound — Use tools like those in Adobe Photoshop® software to visually identify, select, and remove individual sounds from a revealing spectral display of your waveform.
• Fast audio cleanup — Automatically detect and fix common flaws in audio recordings such as hisses, hums, rumbling, crackling, and pops.
• Intuitive audio editing with on-clip controls — Use powerful sample-accurate tools to cut, copy, paste, fade, and stretch audio assets. Intuitive on-clip tools make common edits instant, and visual feedback keeps you informed at every step.
• Record new audio assets — Record high-quality mono or stereo audio files such as voice-overs with markers and take numbering.


Visual tools for healing sound

Zoom H4 Dual-function Stereo/4 track Recorder


Awhile ago I wrote a review on the Sony PCM-D1 24 bit/96kHz Flash Memory Recorder. Although it is an incredible product for evp recording it was a little pricey ($1,849) for most paranormal groups. As with most technologies once it comes similiar products follow. That is the case with the PCM-D1. Zoom Technology has come out with the H4 Dual-function Stereo/4-track Field Recorder.

It's very similiar in appearance however the price is alot more down to earth . Featuring 2 strack stereo field recording or a handy 4 track mode. It offers dual electret condenser mics built in plus two XLR 1/4" combo jacks with 49-volt power. Also features a SD card slot and a 128MB SD card included. With a 2GB SD memory card, the H4 provides up to 380 minutes of recording in 16-bit mode (CD Quality), and 34 hours in MP3 stereo mode. And to move your recordings to a PC or Mac, the H4 includes a USB mass-storage interface.

The H4 provides four hours of continuous recording operation from 2 AA batteries. A back-lit, 128×64 pixel LCD provides the visual interface. An AC adapter, USB cable, windshield cover and tripod adapter are also included.
Price $299.99

FEATURES:
• Mobile Field Recording
• Fits in the palm of your hand
• Ideal for infinite variety of mobile recording applications
• Records 24-bit/96 kHz digital audio as well as MP3 format with bitrates up to 320kbps
• Two studio quality X/Y pattern condenser microphones for true stereo recording
• Two combination XLR-1/4-inch input jacks with phantom power
• Onboard studio effects compression, limiting and mic modeling
• 1/8-inch headphone jack provided for monitoring
• 128MB Secure Digital (SD) card included.
• Using a 2GB SD memory card provides 380 minutes of recording with CD quality sound
• Up to 34 hours recording in MP3 stereo mode
• USB mass-storage interface
• Four hours of continuous recording operation from 2 AA batteries
• Back-lit, 128×64 pixel LCD provides the visual interface
• AC adapter, windshield cover, USB Cable and tripod adapter included

• 4-Track Recording
• 4-track audio in CD quality 16-bit PCM, 44.1 kHz sampling
• Combination high-impedance phone inputs for vocals, guitars, bass or keyboards.
• Built in guitar amp modeling equivalent to the Zoom G2

• Audio Interface
• Records directly to your computer as a USB audio interface
• Bundled with Cubase LE, 48-Track Digital Audio Workstation software

Beyer Dynamic MCE494 Condenser Mic

The MCE 494 is a cardioid condenser microphone intended for direct connection to notebooks, mobile DAT- and MD-recorders. The microphone is powered from the microphone input of the connected device.
Due to its cardioid polar pattern, the MCE 494 has high gain-before-feedback (PC loudspeaker) and rejects background sounds such as drive noise.
The wide frequency response gives clear and precise voice reproduction with high intelligibility. Weigning in at only 6.5 grams it is one of the lightest and smallest condenser mics on the market. Price $59

FEATURES:
• Cardioid polar pattern
• Direct powering
• Unobtrusive design
• High-quality voice reproduction
• Excellent noise rejection
• Frequency Response - 30 - 18,000 Hz
• Max. SPL at 1 kHz 120 dB
• Open circuit voltage at 1 kHz (0dB = 1V/Pa)
• Nominal impedance approx. 2 kΩ
• Load impedance > 10 kΩ



KOSS PRO4AAT Stereo Headphones

The PRO4AA Titanium features dynamic elements for an exceptionally wide frequency response from 10-25,000 Hz. A 2 mil. titanium coating on its diaphragms increases the rigidity of the element, minimizing mechanical distortion and ensuring exceedingly accurate sound reproduction. One-inch (25.4 mm) diameter oxygen-free copper voice coils improve signal transmission and conduction for cleaner, clearer sound. For times when every note must be captured and no sound allowed to leak through, closed PneumaliteTM cushions form a positive, comfortable seal around the ears, maximizing bass frequencies and isolating the listener from ambient noise.

Designed for frequent use over extended periods, the PRO4AA's durable steel and rubber headband is generously padded. Adjustable slide bars ensure a snug fit, also critical for hearing every note and keeping unwanted sounds out. The heavy-duty, single-entry eight-foot coiled cord affords ample flexibility of movement. A 3.5 mm (1/8") plug and a 6.3 mm (¼") screw-on type adapter, both with gold-flashing, are included. Price: $99.00

FEATURES:
• Frequency Response - 10-25,000 Hz
• Impedance - 250 ohms
• Sensitivity - 95dB SPL/1mW
• Distortion - <0.1%

HHB Flash Mic DRM85

The HHB FlashMic is the world’s first professional digital recording microphone. Combining a high-quality, Sennheiser omni-directional condenser capsule with an inbuilt, broadcast-quality Flash recorder, FlashMic is a convenient, easy to operate and durable recorder that’s perfect for press and broadcast journalism, or any other voice recording application.

With no messy cables, just one button press is all it takes to start recording in either linear or MPEG 2 formats. Simple ‘drag and drop’ file transfer at up to 90x real time to a Mac or PC for editing or onward transmission is enabled by a ‘plug and play’ USB connection. Two AA batteries provide more than 6 hours continuous power and, with a 0 - 10 seconds pre-record buffer and 1GB of flash memory, you can be sure that you’ll never miss a word of that important interview with a FlashMic. Price: $1,299.00

FEATURES:
• Convenient, portable and extremely easy to use
• Rugged build quality, designed to withstand the rigours of portable recording
• High-quality, omni-directional Sennheiser condenser microphone capsule for broadcast-quality recording
• Very high quality microphone preamplifier with full manual or automatic gain control (AGC)
• 1GB Flash memory for digital audio data
• Maximum record time of over 18 hours (see below for table of record times)
• LCD display with backlight for time, level and status information
• USB-Interface for transfer of audio data (configured as a mass storage device), also used for configuration presets and FlashMic firmware updates
• Headphone amplifier with volume control
• 9 user templates can be configured externally using the FlashMic Manager PC/Mac software supplied

SONY PCM - D1


The Sony PCM-D1 is ideal for most any recording job. It is free of all drive mechanisms, equipped with extraordinarily sensitive, built-in condenser microphones, and designed with circuits that process stereo sound with virtually no extraneous noise. With a body of pure titanium, it is remarkably rugged. The PCM-D1 provides 96K-24 bit recording capability, an incredible 4GB internal flash memory, removable memory stick pro storage and a USB 2.0 port. Runs on four rechargeable AA nickel metal hydride batteries. Available March 2006. Price: $1,849.00

FEATURES:
• Built-in condenser microphone in an X-Y configuration with low self-noise, high sensitivity and nearly 30 kHz frequency response.
• WAV file format capability: analog level meters with LED peak overloa indicators
• LCD display with comprehensive recorder status indication and menu selection
• Signal processing functions including SBM, limiter and 200kHz high-pass filter

MARANTZ PMD 671

The PMD671 can record 24-bit, 96 kHz audio for incredible sound quality in the field or even in the studio. The ability to read-after-write (confidence monitoring with a "virtual third head") offers completely new levels of functionality never before available in a field recorder. Even the mic preamps have been dramatically improved. Then add programmable presets, and changing formats on the fly is as easy as pressing a button. An optional wired remote control with peak indicator is also available (#RC600)
Price: $999.00

FEATURES:
• 24-bit, 96 kHz PCM capable for unrivaled fidelity
• "Virtual Third Head" for confidence monitoring
• Read-after-write capability for random access playback while recording
• No moving parts-no maintenance
• Built-in USB 2.0 port for ultra-fast, easy file transfer to PC
• Records uncompressed 16 and 24 bit PCM .wav files at 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96 kHz
• Records mono .mp3 files at 64 kbps
• Records stereo .mp3 files at 128 kbps
• Uses inexpensive, widely available Compact Flash media (CF)
• A 1 GB CF card can hold almost 30 minutes of uncompressed stereo (24 bit, 96 kHz)
• A 1 GB CF card can hold almost 90 minutes of uncompressed stereo (16 bit, 44.1kHz)
• A 1 GB CF card can hold over 17 hours (stereo) or 36 hours (mono) .mp3
• 4 to 6 hour battery life with standard AA alkaline batteries
• Two XLR mic connections with +48v phantom power
• Dramatically upgraded microphone preamps
• RCA line I/O
• Built-in monitor speaker
• Optional RC600 wired remote control with peak indicator