Location recording kit

This is the area where you really get what you pay for. Avoid domestic portable MD's and the small Sony mic's are OK for voice-over's but are too noisy for distant/ambient recordings. The Zoom H4 unit is good quality but the mic’s distort in wind easily - Rycote make a mini windjammer that fits over the unit. The Zoom H4N is a significant improvement. Both feature built-in mic’s and XLR inputs with phantom power.

  1. -Zoom H4 with 2Gb SD card £209

  2. -Rycote NT4 Mini Windjammer £19

  3. -Rode NT1a microphone £129.99

  4. -Rode NTG-1 rifle mic £139

(c) Gareth Fry 2009

No Frills

This lists is for tighter budgets and consequently the equipment here is often a compromise between either audio quality or functionality.


A laptop will form the heart of your studio, but it is best to avoid cheap PC laptops like the plague as the build quality and audio performance is often severely compromised. An Apple MacBook is a good option as they are sturdy and well-built, and are capable of running Windows at the same speed as an equivalent PC, giving you the best of both worlds.

- Apple MacBook 4Gb RAM, 250Gb £929:

  1. -Logic Studio Pro £199

  2. -Beyer DT770 headphones £129.99

Note: MacBook’s no longer have Firewire so only USB sound cards can be used with them


Sound card

- PreSonus Audiobox USB £120

Simple 2 mic input sound card.

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