Topic: How to make automated recordings?

[joljols]

Hi,
I would like to make automated recordings from a bird roost at say everyday from 6am-7.30am. However, I do not want to go out everymorning and press record, but would like to leave a recording device out there and somehow automatically record at those times and have the recorded connected to a massive external battery (60Wh). I have a marants PMD660 and this seems very difficult with this device, but I though perhaps somebody knows how to do this with a Microtrack or perhaps another device? I hope someone can help me. Even suggestions of iphone apps or similar would be helpful!
Thank you.

[Charlie Miller]

The Sound Devices 7XX series decks have a timer for auto start and stop.

[SmokinJoe]

With my linux box and the sound  card I have set an at job to start recording at X:XX time like a VCR.

Think:
- mics outside >
- 660 inside, AC powered, set to PAUSE REC, so it's your preamp >
- PC sound card.
- What software you use on windows/Mac?  I have no idea.

[Gutbucket]

Decks other than the SD7xxx series may have clock based timed recording but I'm not sure of that.  I know some of the inexpensive Tascams have a level activated record function which starts recording when the sound level rises above the threshold you set, then records for the amount of time you specify.  That may indirectly do what you're looking to do (and possibly catch something else of interest in the dark of night) as long as you can keep the deck powered.

Back in the mechanical tape transport days, you could lock the deck in record and simply use a timer to turn the power on.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Frogloggers sells a complete weatherized solution for just this type of application.

I believe they now do this using an Olympus recorder that has the feature built in.  It's unfortunate that more recorders don't have the capability, specifically the m10.

[SmokinJoe]

The 660 has a spot for a remote... Perhaps a case of closing contacts. Think about something like an oven timer from the dollar store, but instead of tripping the beeper it trips the contacts. Are you good with electonics, or did everything I just said go right over your head?

[bugg100]

iRiver's with rockbox will do this in the past... Assuming that feature is still in the build?  rockbox.org

[joljols]

Thanks for your replies.
First of all, using a sound card won't work because the recorder will be outside far away from any buildings/electricity/

Secondly, I don't know too much about electronics thus will not be able to solder my own automated system or similar. In the scientific literature (e.g. the article: "Using Automated Digital Recording Systems as Effective Tools for the Monitoring of Birds and Amphibians", 2006) people have used automated recorders by connecting an audio recorder with microphone to a microprossor-based controller (in this case the MSP430-P-1121M) which triggers a relay that closes a circuit in the wired remote jack of the recorder making the recorder start recording when the circuit is closed and stopped when the circuit is opened. The microcontroller is programmable by the free KICKSTART software from Texas Instruments. However, as stated above I have not the smallest clue where to begin with this.

Another Idea I have had is to attach servo's to my recorder that at certain times will 'press' the record and stop buttons. The recorder will then be connected to a large external battery and the servo's will be connected to a batterypowered timer and a batterypack. For the marantz PMD660 I am now using I would need 1 for on/off and a 2nd for record. The idea is that say at 6am the timer turns on the servo 1 which then automatically moves 90 degrees, thereby moving the on-switch to on. A second servo will be triggered after that to move over the record button. At 7.30am the timer makes the first servo move back again and the marantz is turned off. Problem 1 is that I cannot find a simple timer that can do this. Problem 2 is that the servo can be set to move one way, but moving back is hard. Problem 3 is that I don't know how to make the timer start the servo to move the on-switch off.

A problem with external power is that I try to connect an external USB battery to my marantz. My marantz needs a 5V DC plug in and says 5V 0.8A on the back. USB is known to have 5V 0.5A. By trying this out I found the marantz will turn on and record, but after a certain time the screen lids and the marantz does not respond anymore untill I turn it off and on again. I don't know how to get a 0.8A current from the USB battery...

A final idea I had is using my iPhone with a recording app I have which can record as suggested in the replies when a certain amplitude treshold is reached. I would connect my iPhone again to a large external usb battery (with iPhone the amps will not be a problem), turn everything off on my iphone except the recording application and connect an external microphone to the iPhone using a converter cable (http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/km-iphone-mic.htm), this works well. However, expect but don't know if the quality of using my iPhone as a recorder will be much lower than using a Marantz or similar recorder.

I don't know or don't understand what is meant with iRiver with rockbox, even after reading their website. I looked at the frogloggers and must say that looks promising for 250 pounds (http://www.frogloggers.com/Order%20Frogloggers%20Page%201.htm). However, reading about it it seems they exactly did what I wanted but than with a different recorder that has an automated recording function apparently. It is just a weather proof case with usb battery connected to a 5V regulator to the recorder. I'll try and see if I can make this myself.

Well, I thought I type out all my ideas in case other people who need this information. However, as you can see I am still in need of some very good suggestions and advice! Thanks.

[joljols]

Since the frogloggers device is very similar to my wishes but did not use an external microphone and used a different recording device (Olympus LP7 instead of my Marantz PMD660) I sent them the following email (just to keep you informed about my progress):

I am a scientist at the University of Cambridge and I am trying to set-up an automated recording system to record the vocalizations of roosting corvids in a winter roost here in the UK. Ideally I would want a recorder to start recording at 6am and stop recording at 8am everyday continuously for as long as possible without interference, thus meaning I need a timed recorder and external power.

I found your website via a link in an audio forum and think your device is looks very promising. I have a couple of questions.
1) Can I connect an external microphone to the recorder or is it only possible to use the one that is part of the recorder?
2) Why do you include a 5V regulator, is that because the external power is more than 5V and you need to downregulate it or because it is a USB battery which are 5V/0.5A which needs to give a higher current to the recorder?
3) For how long would I potentially be able to have my device running with 2hrs each day before I have to change the battery?
4) Would you suggest the Froglogger VI or a different froglogger? I have been trying to make a similar system myself with a marantz PMD660 but that device does not have a timer.

Do you know if the Olympus recorder is the same quality as the Marantz PMD660 or the PMD620 as you have in the froglogger V? I would perhaps also be interested in just buying the automater and connect that to my Marantz PMD660 with the external mic and external USB battery I already have.

If it is possible I would buy their automated recorder, connect that to my Marantz PMD660 with external mic, connect that to a large external USB battery with 5V regulator and put everything in a large foamed box which I hang in the roost for as many days as the battery last before taking it down.

[Gutbucket]

Consider putting just the mic up there and running a long mic cable to the recorder / battery located at a more easily accessible location.

[zowie]

Sanyo Xacti ICR-XPS01 has daily timer recording.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Consider putting just the mic up there and running a long mic cable to the recorder / battery located at a more easily accessible location.

Which part of the glacier is the more easily accessible location?

[Gutbucket]

Consider putting just the mic up there and running a long mic cable to the recorder / battery located at a more easily accessible location.

Which part of the glacier is the more easily accessible location?

UK glaciers are relatively small to begin with, and shrinking by the minute these days.  But it's always easiest to access them close to the edge, yes?

[joljols]

Never heard of audio cable of 400+m so not really an option..
Do you think a cheap olympus LS-3 would have a less natural recording input than the Marantz PMD660 I currently have? It is over 3 times cheaper, has the ability to use a USB battery and has a timer function.

[stevetoney]

The pmd-661 has a timer function.  Not sure if that helps.