Recording device

[Stephen Koscica]

Can someone please recommend a good recording device for me? I want to be able to record myself practicing (orchestral excerpts and bowed solos) and then be able to playback at least 60 minutes. Something easy to use.

I used to use the old Sony Walkman Professional with an extra Mic, but it's too old and I am thinking digital now.

I have good mic (small) that works ok still. Suggestions? Portablility is nice (I would love to stick it in the bass cover front pocket) and under $200 would be nice. (Under $100 even better!)

thanks!

[hdiddy]

Wrong Forum Steve but for a little more the Zoom H2 or H4 are great little recording devices. ~$250.

[Ed Fuqua]

I'm still digging my Sharp Hi MD mini disc, even at the highest quality level you still get 80+ minutes of recording time.

[b_carville]

Check out a minidisc recorder.I have three of them & I really like them.You can find older models for well under a $100. They are considered passe' in some circles but they have great sound quality. I've made lots of live recordings with them & for the most part they turned out great.
The Sharp models are easiest to use for live recording but the Sony's(the most common brand) will do ya fine.Don't go for the "hi MD' models as they are expensive.You can find used older models on E bay really cheap. I've scarfed units up for $35! For your purpose mini disc is a great way to go. The discs come in 60 to 80 minute formats & can be used over & over with no drop in sound quality.
Check out electronic close out stores & discount shops.Sometimes they have the little buggers hiding in the back.By the way,make sure whatever unit you get has a mic input.

[bkbirge]

Zoom H2, there really is no other competition at this price point. Super easy to use, portable, no dangling wires or extra mics to worry about, long recording time measured in hours not minutes, solid state so it can take abuse, the computer sees it as a hard drive so it is very easy to transfer files for editing, uses cheap SD cards for storage, and it sounds very good. This is a high quality product worth all the hype it gets on here.

[Ed Fuqua]

Originally Posted by b_carville

Don't go for the "hi MD' models as they are expensive.

Not that much more and they are coming down considerably. I don't really use them for the extended recording time as much as the ability to upload the music to PC quickly as files rather than as music in real time.

[Kevin Hsieh]

http://www.columbia.edu/~ksh2115/music/band.mp3

this is off of the new edirol
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...FQgRFQodEEGT3g
placement is right in the middle of the group w/ everyone facing in.

The best recorder in the market in my opinion (if you're willing to spend the extra dough).

That's Don Sickler coaching our combo

[JmJ]

Zoom H2 is cheap here:
http://www.jr.com/zoom-h2-handy-recorder/pe/ZOO_H2/

[b_carville]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

Not that much more and they are coming down considerably. I don't really use them for the extended recording time as much as the ability to upload the music to PC quickly as files rather than as music in real time.

I haven't shopped minidisc(except blanks) for a while.You are right! I'm seeing dealers with Hi MD units for $69-100. Wow!

[drurb]

+1 on the Zoom H2. HUGE bang for the buck! I love mine.

[Steve Clark]

I picked up a Zoom H2 used on the BG classified side. Great unit for the price.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

The Zoom H2 is a great unit, and the best bang for the buck at that price point. I like the Edirol a bit better, but it costs more $$$. You can't go wrong with either. The USB transfer feature on both is a godsend for those of us who remember realtime analog transfers.

[Stephen Koscica]

Ok, help me out one more time guys! So I went out and bought the Zoom H2. I am wondering are mics any good that come with the unit? I hoped so, but I am trying to learn how to use it and it sounds too "bassy", actually dark and muddled. Not clean and "live" sounding when I play back. Can some (who use these) give me an idea of good settings to punch in? recording mic input, levels, mic direction etc... I am recording with a bow (orchestra bowed stuff).

thanks in advance!

[Jamarcla]

Originally Posted by Stephen Koscica

Ok, help me out one more time guys! So I went out and bought the Zoom H2. I am wondering are mics any good that come with the unit? I hoped so, but I am trying to learn how to use it and it sounds too "bassy", actually dark and muddled. Not clean and "live" sounding when I play back. Can some (who use these) give me an idea of good settings to punch in? recording mic input, levels, mic direction etc... I am recording with a bow (orchestra bowed stuff).

thanks in advance!

How to get the best from the Zoom H2 :

http://www.2090.org/zoom/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=9745

[Dbassmon]

I think a quality recording device is a "must have" for any musician.

I would suggest also the bigger brother to the H2. You may want to return your H2 Here's why; the Zoom H4 at $239, the built in binaural condensers are quite good. It also has XLR inputs and phantom power for adding any other mikes you may want to use. Will record in a variety of formats MP3, or Wav at various resolutions, Many hours of recording on 4 gig card. Fits in your hand. No moving parts, no motors, no play heads, this will last forever if you take care of it.

Only negative, the display is small. Need good eyes to see the read out.

[Joe Nerve]

I researched the recorder thing for a while, almost got a zoom, and I'm happy I went the extra bucks and got a yamaha pocketrak. My reasons:

• This thing is incredibly small and portable. I don't even know I have it in my pocket.
• The battery is rechargable, don't have to keep popping alkalines in and out - and it recharges in an hour without any extra wires. It charges from the built in usb that you just plug into your computer.
• It has a speaker that you can use to check that your recordings are audible and that you're getting what you want.
• And most importantly - it's a no brainer to use. I can't stand having to push a whole bunch of buttons and figure the right settings when I want to catch something. I turn it on, hit record (it goes on standby), and then hit it again. I can set levels easily if I want while on standby.

I love this thing. I figured it would be a 1 time investment and it was totally worth the money. I don't ever have to think, "Do I feel like carrying this thing around today?"

American musical has a scratch and dent for $239. If ya don't like it they let you return it no questions asked. They also have the 3 easy payment plan (for a regular priced one) that works even if your credit sucks.

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item-...CKETRAK2G-LIST

[jrlynch]

i gotta say, for a small inexpensive digital recorder the H2 kicks. sounds remarkable out of the box, uses AA batts, and is idiot simple to use.

for higher quality stuff, i've got the real microphones and stuff, but for quick and clean records, i can't see getting anything else ... although the edirol is a temptation .... but it's twice the money.

jeff.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

As an aside, rechargeable AA batteries are the way to go with the Edirol (or anything that uses AA batteries. You lay out a little $$ on the front end for 8 rechargeables and a charger, but then you're done. I also use 'em for my cordless mice.

[kevinmoore73]

Another +1 for the Zoom H2. I've been using mine with great results for more than a year now.

[Treyzer]

Even though I'm not the OP, I was going to ask this same question, I'm really interested in finding somehing simple with high quality sound for live situations. So thanks all. Everyone has given great ideas and suggections. Now, at least I know what to check out!