Recording Through the Snow
The Forth Day of Christmas
By Nick Dunkerley
🎄 Now that we’ve outlined our story and planned our scenes, it’s time to head outside, crunch through the snow, and start recording.
But before we do, let’s stop for a moment and check our equipment. After all, showing up with the wrong tools is like Santa Claus arriving in a hot air balloon—not ideal.
The truth is, there’s nothing worse than coming home to find your recording didn’t turn out.
Whether it’s a mic that didn’t pick up enough sound or a recorder that ran out of batteries, small missteps can derail the magic of your story.
So, let’s make sure we’re ready for the journey.
A Quick Trip Down Memory Lane
When I started out, we didn’t have the sleek digital tools we do today.
Instead, we hauled around reel-to-reel tape recorders like the legendary Nagra 4.2.
A beast of a machine that could survive a war zone (and often did).
Then came DAT tapes and minidisks.
Sure, the quality wasn’t quite as rich as analog, but they were portable and practical.
And now? We’re spoiled for choice.
From dedicated digital recorders to the smartphone in your pocket, there’s a tool for every storyteller.
What to Pack for the Trip
As you prepare to capture The Sound of Christmas, here are some recorder options to consider:
Dedicated DIGITAL RECORDERS:
-
Zoom H5 or H6:
Compact, versatile, and ideal for professional recordings.
These are perfect for capturing everything from interviews to ambience.
-
Tascam DR-40X:
A user-friendly recorder with dual XLR inputs for external microphones.
Great for fieldwork and interviews.
-
Tascam DR-100 MkIII:
A step up with high-end preamps and dual built-in microphones
(omnidirectional and unidirectional).
Making it versatile for different recording environments.
-
Tascam Portacapture X6:
A powerhouse with a touchscreen interface and 32-bit float recording.
Meaning you won’t need to worry as much about setting levels perfectly.
Ideal for capturing a wide dynamic range in unpredictable settings.
Smartphones
If you’re caught without professional equipment and something magical happens.
Like Santa actually drifting by... by all means, grab your phone.
That said, be aware of the risks:
smartphone connections can be unreliable, and a loose cable could leave your audio out of phase - or worse, completely unusable.
If you’re unsure about your external mic setup, stick with the phone’s built-in microphone.
Surprisingly, it’s not a bad option for quick, spontaneous recordings.
And if you’re using an iPhone, we’ve got you covered with the Hindenburg FieldRecorder app.
It lets you record anywhere, do basic edits on the go, and send your files straight to your desktop when you get home.
Because sometimes, the best stories happen when you least expect them.
TIPS
-
Check Your Levels:
Aim for peaks between -12dB and -6dB to avoid distortion. -
Carry Spare Batteries:
Like Santa never leaves the North Pole without redundant reindeer, you should never leave without extra power. -
Do a Test Recording:
Always record a quick sound check before diving into an interview or capturing ambience.
With the right recorder in hand, you’ll be ready to capture the laughter, jingling bells, and other sounds that bring your story to life.
Tomorrow, we’ll cast a little sparkle over microphones.
🎁 Today’s challenge: Dust off your recorder (or phone) and do a quick practice session.
Check the levels, record a short clip, and listen back to make sure everything sounds crisp and clear.
The only way for me work as an undercover international correspondent is on an iPhone and the only software that I am willing to use is Hindenburg Field Recorder.
Field recorder
for iPhone recording
The best audio recorder is the one you have with you at all times, and our field recorder is ready to capture professional-level audio whenever and wherever you are.
Just plug in an iPhone-compatible microphone or use your phone’s built-in options, and you’re set!
We offer simple editing features as well as a one-dial compressor and a clipboard to store your favourite clips.
When you’re ready to export, you can send your session directly to Hindenburg PRO or LITE, or upload it to SoundCloud and a host of other sites. Always be ready.
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