Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Audio engineering - accessible field recorder (self.Blind)
submitted by skluttrell
Are there any blind audio engineers who use field recording equipment such as the Fostex FR-2 or Zoom H4? Are either of these serviceable for blind users? Is there a better device that's more accessible? What should I expect?
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I don't expect anything that is totally accessible. I expect that there will be a stiff learning curve. But I need something I can learn: that has even a small amount of feedback such as analog limiters and audible beeps or something, if there's a soft menu.
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These things are expensive, and I don't want to purchase something only to find out that there is no way for me to do anything with it without sighted assistance. I don't want to get something only to find out it uses an inaccessible touch screen or something.
​
I don't expect anything that is totally accessible. I expect that there will be a stiff learning curve. But I need something I can learn: that has even a small amount of feedback such as analog limiters and audible beeps or something, if there's a soft menu.
​
These things are expensive, and I don't want to purchase something only to find out that there is no way for me to do anything with it without sighted assistance. I don't want to get something only to find out it uses an inaccessible touch screen or something.
Nandflash 2 points 4y ago
I'm not an audio engineer, but I've used a few different recorders.
Unfortunately, the feedback you'd likely require isn't present on the Zoom devices. I have an H5, and the only kind of feedback you can get is an audible beep when you start a recording, and that's only if you have a pair of headphones connected. You also have to memorize menus for setting changes and all that. Even though I love the sound quality, it can be frustrating to have such a capable device and not be able to use most of its features.
You may get suggestions from people telling you to try Olympus recorders. Even though the accessibility is great on those, the sound quality isn't very good. They have a very high noise floor.
Edit: Another thing that I just thought of is that you can connect most recorders to an iOS or Android device and use something like Ferrite to handle the actual recording. It's a pretty capable app, but I don't know how much equipment you're willing to carry around.
Unfortunately, the feedback you'd likely require isn't present on the Zoom devices. I have an H5, and the only kind of feedback you can get is an audible beep when you start a recording, and that's only if you have a pair of headphones connected. You also have to memorize menus for setting changes and all that. Even though I love the sound quality, it can be frustrating to have such a capable device and not be able to use most of its features.
You may get suggestions from people telling you to try Olympus recorders. Even though the accessibility is great on those, the sound quality isn't very good. They have a very high noise floor.
Edit: Another thing that I just thought of is that you can connect most recorders to an iOS or Android device and use something like Ferrite to handle the actual recording. It's a pretty capable app, but I don't know how much equipment you're willing to carry around.
MostlyBlindGamer 1 points 4y ago
I can't help directly, but I have a suggestion: do you think you could try going to a brick and mortar store to check some options out in person?
I've emailed stores about trying things in person and gotten good results, when they had things in stock.
I've emailed stores about trying things in person and gotten good results, when they had things in stock.
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