Heartbeat Recording

I'm putting this here, because 1) I don't think anyone will mind, and 2) It seems the best place for it?? I do hope everyone is OK with this. Let me know otherwise and I will move the offense😃

So, after years of screwing around, destroying stethoscopes, PC/Cam mics, gaming headsets, etc.....All with crap to not too bad results, I finally went kinda all in.

I bought a Tascam-DR5 and a decent Lavalier Mic. With the Tascam, I cant get even a hint of a heartbeat. It's like I'm trying to record with a brick. It's useless to me. Any help there would be greatly appreciated. I would probably even pay for someones services. No joke. I'm not Bill Gates with technology, but I'm not Carl Childers either. I'm baffled.

Tried using the lavalier mic with a regular setup.....Hiss and Crackles. Think I figured that one out though. Can't use diaphragm as too much pressure....When I flip to bell, it records pretty good. I'll take help there as well though.

Thanks for your time, and seriously.....I would pay for good information.

Your mic might not have the right number of pins on its input jack. In other words, it might be the right size (like 1/8") but it might not have the right number of pins. If you look at the jack, it has black plastic sections separating the metal. The number of metal sections is the number of pins. I realized this same thing with my lavalier mic. I think that's the issue with your mic and recorder. Neither is defective, you just might need an adapter for the right number of pins. Or, use an adapter with the mic that goes into a different input on the recorder.

Concerning your traditional set-up, it sounds like the mic's proximity to the chestpiece is too small. I like to just put my mic in the earpiece of any of my steths that have those soft ear-pieces. You will have a little acoustic attenuation, but you'll also get some volume attenuation as well (which is what you need).

Those are my guesses. I'm not a sound guy by trade, but I do know a fair bit about audio.

@patthedrummer Thank you. I was going to PM you, but this may come in handy for others moving forward. OK, so, my mic, a PowerDeWise.....Came with the adapter. They say to use one on iPhones.....The original, and then use the adapter for cameras, Mac's, PC and stuff I presume. The whole thing is just baffling to me. Crap. Man.....I would love to hook up some time and maybe cam or at least chat.....I cant make any head way. To try and explain it.....Here....Anywhere with typing it out.....Shew.

I mentioned thinking there might be too much pressure on the mic.....OK. Starters, I'll post a pic of my rig in a folder I've already got. If you're feeling frisky, take a look at it. Earlier today, thinking about the pressure inside the tube maybe, I open the bell side and squeezed air out of the set. Mostly for giggles....Maybe something would happen? It didn't really......Some parts of a maybe, minute recording are beautiful. Best heart sounds I've ever gotten. Then, for no apparent reason, get to hissing, crackling....that kinda shit. It does sort of seem like an input connection problem....But the fittings are tight, secure. Solid. Oh.....For clarity.....This is just using my iPhone.

The Tascam? I get nothing but feed back really. Just shit.....I don't know how to set it up. Gt it used off ebay. The manual is on manlibs, so not an issue, but I just cant seem to get the settings right. Trifling.

If anyone has any light bulb going ff kinda thing happen or anything, please chime in.

Pat? You have a Tascam?

Thanks all in advance. Anything will be appreciated........

The wife said I could record her. She has a fantastic visible pulse......I think I mentioned paying anyone that helped me.....Would a fie of her lovely pump, ample breasts and tat gorgeous carotid pulsing her pretty neck be of any value?😃

Pat.....Drop me an email or something and I'll send you one of her neck. If you're into that sorta thing.

luvnurses62@outlook.com

I gave up trying to record my heart beat and will wait until I can swing a digital electronic stethscope that can download the sound.

Try both adapters with the Tascam. Neither one worked?

Also try lowering the input volume on it. Like all the way down until it's muted, and work your way up from there. If all the fittings are tight and secure (so no sound leaks out), anything coming through the steth could just be too loud - causing clipping (creating white noise).

No, I actually use an Olympus digital voice recorder on mine. Has a mic and headphone jack next to each other.

You could also try recording to your computer and seeing if that works. Take one item (the Tascam recorder) out of the equation.

At this point, we have several possible sources of the issue, so taking one out could potentially simplify things more. If it works, then the problem is with the recorder. If it still doesn't work, then you're not doing it correctly with your computer or the mic is somehow faulty.

Don't worry about sending any files - I'm just glad to (potentially) be of help. 😄

Hi

I am looking long time for cheap electronic stethoscope or other gadget that can work for that. few days ago i found online something interesting on kickstarter: Stemoscope

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1331775203/stemoscope-listen-to-the-sound-of-life

i ordered one - think it can be cool to hear and share

I haven't been able to find one for under $400 or $500 Cdn.