I am often asked what kit we use to record podcasts. We needed something robust but transportable. Something we could carry as hand luggage on planes and trains where necessary.

We chose the HHB MDP 500 minidisc recorder. It weights in at 2kg. It works on mains and batteries. The batteries last over 3 hours. We can get almost 1.5 hours of stereo recording on a minidisc which is perfect as a podcast usually lasts only about 15 minutes. 

We use Sony ECM-44B condenser clip-on microphones and also have hand-held mics for 'vox pop' type interviews.

We also use Beyer Dynamic headphones.

Sony microphones with battery power - see earlier blog about eating humble pie! (Mic unscrewed showing battery inserted)

HHB MDP 500 Portadisc minidisc recorder with mindisc

We use minidiscs (see shot above) as that gives us greater flexibility. I can either edit in the flield and then send as a file via e-mail to the studio or physically get the disc to the studio so they work with the original recording. The studio prefer the later. Although the MDP 500 does allow local editing are does this sparingly for two reasons. First - I may erase something important in error and once gone it is lost forever. Secondly - I am not a trained editor. The team in the studio is.

We have had the current kit for over 6 months, use it most days and it has worked perfect. While the whole set up cost us about £1500 there are plenty of other lower cost options if you are not needing to do daily location work.