Portable Recording Equipment

[spaltor]

I'm going to have press credentials at World Con this year (next month), and then there are the many celebs just walking around Dragon*Con in September.  I'd like to have a decent quality microphone I can plug into my iPod touch (3G) or iPad.  I've done a little bit of research an learned that the 30pin docks are different on the Touch 3G and the iPad (the iPod has an audio input there while the iPad does not).  If it comes down to it, I'd rather carry my iPod around a con instead of the iPad just for portability's sake.

Someone else recommended the Belkin Tune Talk:
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-TuneTalk-Stereo-iPod-Black/dp/B000F9LRYO/
I've looked at this a bit, but only lists iPod Video 5G and a nano as compatible.

I've heard a lot of praise for BLUE microphones, and came across this:
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-2-0-Recording-Microphone/dp/B003Z8WHDC
It specifically states that it's compatible with a 3G iPod touch, but I have no experience with it.

And, finally, I found this little mic that has surprisingly (to me) good reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Microphone-iPhone-touch-classic/dp/B00277EMQ2

So, does anyone use any of these for portable recording?  Or do you use something else entirely?  I have an old "digital voice recorder" laying around somewhere.  I'm hoping to find that and test it out before I purchase anything, but I'm going to have to make my decision soon to ensure that I have the equipment in time.  What do you all suggest?  Thanks!

[Dangelus]

If you want to use the iPad plenty of USB mics are compatible with the iPads camera adapter, the USB dongle that is intended for transferring photos from USB sticks.

A decent compatible USB mic and GarageBand on the iPad and you're all set.

[Feathers]

I seem to remember Mr Moyer getting a plug in mic for his iPod a while ago but couldn't tell you what it was.

To my shame, the only recording equipment I've ever used for podcasting is the in-built mic on the iPhone (I doubt it would be much use in a con environment though).

[Meds]

Jumping on Sue's post here. I'm having some problems recording now and after a chat with Mix master Moyer and Al today it looks like its my harddive in my laptop giving me a few issues. Now i cant afford a new laptop and to be honest it works great so i'm looking at buying something to record with. I looked at Zoom H4N but its too expensive and now looking at tascam, http://www.amazon.co.uk/TASCAM-DR-05-DR05-TASDR05/dp/B004OA6JW0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pdT1_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2I0DA4K13FEUT&coliid=I3GMY1RD1Q3NAF does anyone know of any other good portable recording equipment that i can use and then plug into my laptop to upload and edit.

[Dangelus]

What issues are you having? If your laptop is working great then you shouldn't have any issues recording as audio recording with something like audacity doesn't use a huge processing footprint.

If you're having HDD issues, for example it may be failing and causing glitches in the recording due to I/O slow down. The hard drive is taking longer to read / write. I'd replace the hard drive and do a clean install. Hard drive prices are pretty reasonable and probably a cheaper than buying new equipment.

[Meds]

Well I ended up buying a Tascam DR05 as its a nice portable recording device used by musicians so I can do some acting with it as well as interviews and out on the convention recording. :)