weird question - i am going to be doing a research project in the mtns of china over the summer of 2006, as part of the research i am going to be recording frog calls. rather than keeping all the calls on the recorder and translating the species with paper and pen - i would like to simply upload the calls onto my laptop so i can make notes, and distinctions between which frogs are what, habitats, dates, etc. for the field i'm gonna need a relatively small recorder (was thinking about the normal little tape recorders - but if you guys suggest digital, then i will try going that route, so long as the price between digital and analog isnt monsterous). also, i figure they have small directional mikes I could plug into the recorder. but then my main question, is, is there a program that will allow u to plug a tape recorder into a laptop and upload the sounds? do i need a special program??

12/11/2005 9:42:15 PM

if the recorder has any sort of audio out then yes - if not then no

the # of free and retail programs are numerous

you could use sound recorder that comes with windows if need be

12/11/2005 9:46:51 PM

do most laptops have an audio in?? or would it have to be in the form of a USB cord?

also, not sure if it matters, its a pretty shitty/old laptop. Windows ME (2001) - i guess maybe search for a recorder that says compatible with ME?

12/11/2005 9:50:02 PM

do not search for a recorder that says compatible with ME - being that you said that - i don't think you are qualified to transfer sound to a laptop - research or get help in person

12/11/2005 9:56:02 PM

this is the beginning of the research portion - asking experts (since i am not). i figure some sound or audio expert that has done a similar project would be able to recommend some brands as well as some typical conflicts when approaching this kind of problem

12/11/2005 10:02:32 PM

Crotalus. Check your PM's.

12/11/2005 10:52:30 PM

an ipod-ish device with sound recording would be perfert

12/11/2005 11:22:12 PM