Audio/music recording with the TG50

[maestrosteve]

I posted the same question in the NX forum asking about the NX70, but could be swayed to getting a TG50.

I know that the "live" recording feature of the built in mic is meant for voice recording, but how good, clear, is the sound if you were to try recording "live" music.

Any hiss?

Adjustable sound parameters, for better or less quality?

Your opinion of the quality of the built in mic?
(better or equal to a cassette recorder built-in mic?)

I'm considering getting a TG50, and while I could use the calendar/contact programs, I mostly would play mp3s, and want to be able to do an occasional music recording.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

[Sneezy]

Steve,

Although recording quality is quite subjective, I think the TG50 does a great job. I mostly record lectures. There are two modes, LP and SP, and both modes have a high or low mic sensitivity. For best compromise between quality and memory consumption, I choose high sensitivty with LP mode. My recordings are very easy to hear with headphones, but not quite as good when I use the built-in speaker. The problem becomes distance; if the source is, say, more than eight or nine feet away, you notice it in the recording.

Now if you are doing music recordings, like going to a concert, I would say you could get some decent sound clips. With really loud noise, you'll have to turn the sensitivity down, or it will be distorted (sounds like the person is speaking into a metal can). You will obviously have to play with the settings for optimal sound quality/lower distortion.

Bottom line, the TG50 has a good range of settings for recording, and I think the quality is decent (but not fantastic), but you have to adjust for distance from the source for best performance.

[maestrosteve]

Are the recordings quiet or hissy?

[Sneezy]

It depends on the mode. If you use SP, it is quiet. LP on the other hand is slightly hissy. SP will give you some very good recordings, but keep the distance caveat in mind as I mentioned in the last post.