3.5mm audio passthrough + recorder
June 30, 2021 1:38 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for a device that plugs into a 3.5mm audio port, and records the audio going through it to a SD card while also passing it through (so that one can listen to it in headphones/etc). Where can I get such a thing?
Not exactly what you're looking for but it's cheap and you can use your computer for the actual recording then dump the result onto anSD card:
DIGITNOW USB Audio Capture Card Grabber for Vinyl Cassette Tapes to Digital MP3 Converter, Support Mac & Windows 10/8.1/
posted by evilDoug at 2:03 PM on June 30, 2021
DIGITNOW USB Audio Capture Card Grabber for Vinyl Cassette Tapes to Digital MP3 Converter, Support Mac & Windows 10/8.1/
posted by evilDoug at 2:03 PM on June 30, 2021
Most of the handheld audio recorders from Zoom, Tascam, and others can do this (at least as long as you count MicroSD).
posted by Candleman at 2:14 PM on June 30, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by Candleman at 2:14 PM on June 30, 2021 [4 favorites]
Additionally, if you're trying to record cassettes or Vinyl, there are specific devices for each to make that job easier.
posted by evilDoug at 2:41 PM on June 30, 2021
posted by evilDoug at 2:41 PM on June 30, 2021
Stoneshop has it, but I'll spell it out in more detail just in case.
You need a 3.5mm Y-Splitter and a 3.5mm plug-to-plug adapter, and any old handheld audio recorder that has a 3.5mm input (most do IME). I just choose the first option off Amazon.com for example purposes, but you can get this stuff anywhere.
The 3.5mm Y-Splitter will have one plug and two sockets. You plug the device into your sound source. On one side of the Y-splitter you just plug in your headphones, on the other side you plug in the socket-to-socket adapter, which will give you the 3.5mm socket you need to plug into the audio recorder.
You may also want to add a 3.5mm extension cable in there somewhere, most likely first, so that the rest of the stuff doesn't have to hang off the back of your computer or whatever you're recording from.
posted by tiamat at 3:03 PM on June 30, 2021
You need a 3.5mm Y-Splitter and a 3.5mm plug-to-plug adapter, and any old handheld audio recorder that has a 3.5mm input (most do IME). I just choose the first option off Amazon.com for example purposes, but you can get this stuff anywhere.
The 3.5mm Y-Splitter will have one plug and two sockets. You plug the device into your sound source. On one side of the Y-splitter you just plug in your headphones, on the other side you plug in the socket-to-socket adapter, which will give you the 3.5mm socket you need to plug into the audio recorder.
You may also want to add a 3.5mm extension cable in there somewhere, most likely first, so that the rest of the stuff doesn't have to hang off the back of your computer or whatever you're recording from.
posted by tiamat at 3:03 PM on June 30, 2021
There's no need to get a splitter - the handheld units have line/headphones outputs.
posted by Candleman at 3:35 PM on June 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Candleman at 3:35 PM on June 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
Candleman has it -- get a handheld audio recorder like this. They have line out and headphone out, as well as a recorder and an omni mic for good measure. They get fancier too if you need e.g. phantom power for a shotgun mic.
The thing about audio gear is that you can spend anywhere from $10 to $1000+ on pretty much every piece of it, and that includes recorders. This entry level one is under $40 but for $120 you can get one like the Tascam I linked above and get much better results and more flexibility.
posted by goingonit at 3:54 PM on June 30, 2021 [2 favorites]
The thing about audio gear is that you can spend anywhere from $10 to $1000+ on pretty much every piece of it, and that includes recorders. This entry level one is under $40 but for $120 you can get one like the Tascam I linked above and get much better results and more flexibility.
posted by goingonit at 3:54 PM on June 30, 2021 [2 favorites]
Isn't that just a Y-adapter and a digital recorder with a regular mic-in? Sony and Olympus make the recorders.
posted by kschang at 5:33 PM on June 30, 2021
posted by kschang at 5:33 PM on June 30, 2021
One critical reason you don't want to use a y adaptor if your specific use case is headphones is that you won't have volume control over the headphones without reducing the volume of the signal going to the recording as well. By going source->recorder->headphones, you'll have the ability to use the output volume control on the recorder to hear via the headphones without blasting your ears out or it being too soft.
goingonit is correct that what you spend will affect the quality of the recording. Unfortunately for your use case, going more expensive on a handheld recorder will mostly get you better quality mics and features like 4 track recording, neither of which will help with what you're trying to do. Depending on what your budget is and how much portability is a factor for you, there are some units that don't have mics that will put the extra $$$ towards better analog to digital converters and the analog signal chain.
Lastly, it doesn't sound like you're digitizing records, but if you happen to be doing so, what you need to be aware of is that you need to apply the RIAA Equalization Curve to the signal. You don't necessarily need a specialized unit like what evilDoug linked to - you can run it through a receiver with a phono input (which can often be found at thrift stores at low rates, though they're getting more scarce as time goes on) or by applying the curve in post-production. The latter might not work for you, because it'll sound off when listening via headphones.
posted by Candleman at 12:22 AM on July 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
goingonit is correct that what you spend will affect the quality of the recording. Unfortunately for your use case, going more expensive on a handheld recorder will mostly get you better quality mics and features like 4 track recording, neither of which will help with what you're trying to do. Depending on what your budget is and how much portability is a factor for you, there are some units that don't have mics that will put the extra $$$ towards better analog to digital converters and the analog signal chain.
Lastly, it doesn't sound like you're digitizing records, but if you happen to be doing so, what you need to be aware of is that you need to apply the RIAA Equalization Curve to the signal. You don't necessarily need a specialized unit like what evilDoug linked to - you can run it through a receiver with a phono input (which can often be found at thrift stores at low rates, though they're getting more scarce as time goes on) or by applying the curve in post-production. The latter might not work for you, because it'll sound off when listening via headphones.
posted by Candleman at 12:22 AM on July 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
I have a Tascam unit that cost around $100. I've never thought about wearing headphones because you can hear the natural sound. It does record on a removable card, but it's a tiny little thing not supported by any of my other devices.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:45 AM on July 1, 2021
posted by SemiSalt at 4:45 AM on July 1, 2021
My Tascam DR-22WL has line in, line out (both 3.5mm) a micro usb port, a micro sd card slot, and wifi connectivity. Used ones on reverb are going for ~$100.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 7:57 AM on July 1, 2021
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 7:57 AM on July 1, 2021
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posted by Stoneshop at 2:01 PM on June 30, 2021 [2 favorites]