Using the iPhone to record bird songs

[AndyB]

I do like my iPhone and discover new useful apps for it all the time. Whilst watching a vagrant singing male Northern Parula today, I checked to see if there was an iPhone app to allow the iPhone to record. There was and 30 secs later I had downloaded it and was recording the Parula. I didn't think it was too bad considering that this was recorded with no external mic. Apparently, with the headset that comes with the iPhone, you can plug that in and use it as an external mic and get better recording. I uploaded the wav file here (be patient it's a 2mb file so wait for it to load eg the gray bar should go most of the way to the right before you hit play):

http://surfbirds.com/albums/showphoto.php/photo/8079

Here's a link to the app (http://recordertheapp.com/) in case anyone is interested (I have no affiliation with this site)

[Barry65]

Thanks Andy,

I am an Iphone user and they are pretty good and lots of fun as well, a useful link to record that Mega!

Cheers

Barry.

[michael23]

does this affect the battery performance of the iphone?

[AndyB]

Didn't seem to. I only recorded about 5mins at high quality setting and didn't notice my battery was drained more than usual. Apparently, you can record up to a few hours of material, which presumably will eat in to memory and battery but for a quick few mins here and there to get that mystery singer recorded, it's perfect.

[lorarend]

Hi my name is Lora and I'm new to Surfbirds; I ran across this site because I googled "Recording bird calls with Iphone". I did pull up the link that Andy posted but my question is this; is there an APP that will record the bird call and tell you what the bird is on the spot.
Also is the 0.99 charge the only one incurred after installing the app on the phone.

I know they make an APP for music.

Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

Lora

[AndyB]

Hi Lora, no unfortunately, there is no Shazam type app. Would be great if there was but I suspect really difficult to execute. Shazam requires a pretty good recording eg hold it up to your radio speaker to ID a song and in the field trying to get a clear bird recording on your iphone that software could ID would be very tough indeed.

By the way, you shouldn't need to buy the recorder app linked to above as all newer models of iphone have a recorder app built in. There is no difference in quality.

[ampelinus]

Hi Andy,

Do you know if this app would work on an iPod touch?

Cheers, Neil.

[AndyB]

Hi Neil, looks like it does:
Requirements:Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284428991&mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D6
Best, Andy

[ampelinus]

Hi Neil, looks like it does:

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284428991&mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D6
Best, Andy

Andy,

Great I thought it might, thanks for replying.

Cheers, Neil.

[firstrees]

Have downloaded this and it works well. NB you can record in high quality which, of course, makes larger files.

Unfortunately, my technical expertise doesn't seem to extend to actually deleting the test recording ! I've gone around the houses and just can't see where to do this on the app. The 'scissors' only seem to trim.

Help !

[AndyB]

Hi firstrees, there should be an "edit" button above the recordings. Touch that and then touch the delete button (red circle with white bar across it) next to the recording you want to delete.

Also, just as a reminder, this post was made back in 2009. Anyone who has the newer iphone, should be able to use the recorder app that comes with the iphone, so no need to download this app.