cheap equipment for students

[P L Patrick]

Radio Shack/Tandy makes 2 different models of lavaliere mics (one is
called the "tie-tac" I think) which were both under $25 a couple years
ago. I think the more expensive one has an inline switch. They are
obviously not great, but since mic position is half the battle, and a
properly positioned lavaliere mic -- even a cheap one -- can pick up a
good signal and be out of the speaker's sight, this is a good
low-budget option. In my experience students will get better results
with these than with the built-in electret condenser mics that are
standard on many cassette hand-recorders. However, often the recorders
themselves do not have a mic input -- this is important to check-- or
do not have adjustable recording levels. If buying cheap recorders, be
sure to get both those things. I have even found recorders, believe it
or not, where the use of a plug-in mic does not override the built-in
condenser-- I don't know how that works! but it's pretty stupid
design...
	--plp--

Prof. Peter L. Patrick
Dept. of Language & Linguistics
University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
COLCHESTER CO4 3SQ
U.K.

Tel: (from within UK) 01206.87.2088
    (from outside UK) +44.1206.87.2088
Fax: (as above)           1206.87.2198
Email: patrickp at essex.ac.uk
Web: http://privatewww.essex.ac.uk/~patrickp