Hi Marie:

The key thing to find out is, does your device take advantage of the faster-write cards. If so, 
that's the way to go. I notice my Nikon D70 definitely writes faster and clears its cache faster 
with the fast cards (not that I shoot that rapidly often). If your device doesn't care or you don't 
care because of how you're using it, the regular-speed cards are less pricey. I've read some reports 
of reliability issues with the super-capacity cards. I don't know first-hand because, being somewhat 
um frugal, I buy 512 megs when they come on sale for $25 after rebates. 1 gig is probably a better 
size for audio. One thing that pro photographers tell me that makes sense is when you've dumped 
content off these cards in your computer, when you put them back in your device and are ready to 
reuse, do a full re-format in your device, just to be double-sure that the file system is fresh and 
good.

I gotta get one of these flash recorders. I just got back from watching one of my buddies playing 
jazz in an upscale supermarket (this kind of thing, plus teaching, is what pays a very good jazz 
guitarist's bills). I figured he'd be doing OK because he's a pro but his band was ON FIRE --  
constantly in a good groove and much more enthusiastic than you'd expect given the setting. I sure 
wish I had a recorder with me because the acoustics were good and the guys were sounding great and 
were well-balanced. All it would have taken was a little flash recorder and a decent stereo mic.

What are you all getting for flash recorders? One of the guys on the Ampex list sent me a recording 
he made with that little M-Audio device, using his own mic preamp, and it was excellent. He said the 
built-in mic preamp isn't fit for primetime.

-- Tom Fine


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marie O'Connell" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 1:02 PM
Subject: [ARSCLIST] And now for something completely different...


>I have been asked by my boss if there is a 'preferred' Flash Memory Card for
> digital recordings.  Any tips would be great.  Thanks in advance.
>
>
>
> Cheers
>
>
>
> Marie O'Connell
>
> Sound Archivist/Audio Engineer/Sound Consultant
>
> The Center For Oral History & Cultural Heritage
>
> The University Of Southern Mississippi
>
> 118 College Drive #5175
>
> Hattiesburg, MS, 39401-406
>
> Ph: 601-266-6514
>
> Fax: 601-266-6217
>
>