Lectrosonics SPDR Stereo Portable Digital Recorder

The Lectrosonics SPDR records stereo digital audio in a portable unit small enough to ride in a bag, sit in a car as a plant mic, or go on the person being recorded.

It suits virtual reality sound capture and backup recording in bag systems. It also records where a wireless system cannot reach, such as in-car scenes or an athlete in action. With a small mixer and an SRc receiver, it makes a lightweight interview rig with full redundancy that fits in a fanny pack.

Recordings go to a microSDHC card of up to 32 GB as BWF .wav files with iXML metadata, at 24 bits and 48 or 96 kHz. A 32 GB card holds almost 30 hours at 48 kHz, and a deep buffer lets slower cards work reliably. The TA5M input takes mic or line level through a servo bias preamp for 2 V and 4 V lavaliers.

A 5-pin LEMO time code input takes a momentary jam, and a temperature-compensated clock stays within 1 ppm through long days. The record button has a raised tactile edge for starting a take without looking. Audio command tones (dweedle tones) from the PDRRemote app start and stop recording. A headphone output handles playback and monitoring.

Two AA lithium batteries run the SPDR for over 20 hours. Its external DC input takes 6 to 17 VDC from a bag battery and switches to the internal batteries at once if that supply drops out. The housing is machined aluminum. The recorder takes LM-style transmitter belt clips: a wire clip comes with it, and the BCHINGED hinged clip is an option.

Features

• Two-channel BWF recording with iXML metadata
• Records to a microSDHC card
• Mic to line input gain range on a TA5M jack
• Servo bias preamp for 2 V and 4 V lavaliers
• AES3 digital input
• Time code jam from a 5-pin LEMO input
• Clock accurate to 1 ppm
• Over 20 hours on two AA lithium batteries
• External DC input with automatic battery backup
• Machined aluminum housing