Re: Pocket-sized RAM based digital live audio recorders: Where are they?

"Jack" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, in rec.audio.pro,
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] says...

>   With all you're expecting your recording device to do, with the I/O
> you want, unless you're willing to give up full-size XLR connectors,
> you'll not get much smaller than the Korg unit.

Ok, take a Sony D8 DAT recorder.  Strip out the entire DAT mechanism and
associated switches, hinges, etc (about 75% of the unit). Replace the DAT
mechanism with a CF or SD Flash RAM socket. You'd end up with a unit the
size of a pack of cigarettes with stereo mic in, line/headphones out and
SPDIF I/O, and a nice knurled metal manual record knob. That's exactly what
I'm looking for. No XLR's required, thank you. I'm not even sure you'd need
an LCD.

> Built in mics won't do  much good if the unit is buried in your pocket.

Quite correct. Since the Panasonic cardioid elements in question are about
the size of pencil erasers, and will be stuck at the corners of the unit
(where there isn't any circuitry), I don't see that being a space problem,
nor a functionality problem.  Use 'em when you need to, and use external
mics when they are preferable.  Simple. I'd want to isolate the condenser
mic capsules with some kind of polymer suspension to reduce handling noise,
naturally, and a slip-on foam windscreen (covering the front half of the
unit) would be a must-have feature.

> Be prepared to have some
> custom chips done to get things down as small as you're expecting.

They're made by Xilinx, and they're called PLD's (programmable logic
devices, also called programmable logic arrays). These very large gate
arrays are infinitely configurable out of the box. This means you can
perform CPU hardware (gate logic) modifications via downloadable software.
It's kinda like firmware upgrades, but it actually reprograms every physical
logic gate in the CPU/DSP chip. Way under $20 each.  (Prices are dropping
very fast.)

> Sounds like a good project for a small start-up company that can scare
> up the venture capital needed.

Yes, that's what I'm thinking, too.  I did sketch out the basic design for
this idea about 8 years ago.  Can't believe nobody has produced one yet.

-Barry