Thread: Dictation machines

Anyone use one?

I've recently entertained the idea of buying one, mostly for recording dialogue ideas. I have always planned my scenes, events, structure, plot et al quite meticulously, though have always invented dialogue on the spot, when I did eventually sit down on the computer. This couldn't really be described as a problem, as I have some talent putting words into characters mouths. I figure a recorder, taken around with me for the day, lying about the house whilst doing other things, etc, could only serve as beneficial. Plus it's much more portable than a pen and paper, I guess.

Thoughts?

I have toyed with this idea myself, used a voice recorder on my phone, but by the time I got home, the dialogue just didn't make sense any more.

The modern digital ones are smaller, lighter, easy to use, give good quality recording and hold far more than the old tape jobs, I used one all the time when I was driving. Now my eyesight does not let me drive any more I find I have gone back to a pencil and notebook.

Originally Posted by A. Smith

I have toyed with this idea myself, used a voice recorder on my phone, but by the time I got home, the dialogue just didn't make sense any more.

Perhaps when exiting The Matrix, the encoding was lost altogether.

Originally Posted by Olly Buckle

The modern digital ones are smaller, lighter, easy to use, give good quality recording and hold far more than the old tape jobs, I used one all the time when I was driving. Now my eyesight does not let me drive any more I find I have gone back to a pencil and notebook.

Interesting. I've been eyeing a certain Olympus model, as I could store the recordings on my computer for further reference. Recording whilst driving, eh? I bet that was fun, though riding occasionally in a classic 2CV, I probably wouldn't end up hearing much.

Thanks for the responses fellas.

I bet that was fun, though riding occasionally in a classic 2CV, I probably wouldn't end up hearing much.

Suddenly I am taken back, it used to work fine in both 'Logic' and 'Talulah'. Why do 2CV's get names?

inappropriate

I've used the pocket voice recorders since they became available. They are great for interviews, and they make note-taking on a bus possible. At home everything goes into the computer, and if the interview is for air, Audacity makes editing quick and easy.

There's no need to pay a high price for one. There are several inexpensive brands on the market that work perfectly well. Truth to tell, they are like macaroni and cheese dinners. The bargain priced ones have the same ingredients inside the box as the Famous Name Brand.

On the bus I hold the voice recorder upside down with its bottom by my ear. Half the people on the bus are likely to have cell phones stuck in their ears, and because my little Colby voice recorder is the same size as a cell phone, no one pays any attention.

Olly - Those aren't the sort of names I've heard people use in connection with the 2CV.

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

inappropriate

In the eighty's, companies found out that it was more efficient to force managers to type with one finger, then for them to dictate to a secretary, the secretary type it up, go back for editing, retype, and finally approval.
[insert inappropriate out of date 1960's here]

Anyway question. When you get home, would you play the dictation machine for an old listen and type, or hook it up to the computer for automatic processing?

Originally Posted by Rustgold

Anyway question. When you get home, would you play the dictation machine for an old listen and type, or hook it up to the computer for automatic processing?

To be honest, I'd likely listen to whatever it is that I've recorded, write it down, then either leave it on there or erase it from the memory. I'd like the USB connection, lead and what else have you simply because it's there if I need it.

Plus, there's always those times when you've been drinking with the chaps, and recording Christopher Walken impressions seems to be the greatest idea in the world. Right?