Looking for <$100 Digital Recorder

**Gladowsky** · #1 08-03-2009, 05:13 AM

I have used a cassette recorder for recording new songs at band practice but it is now time to update to a digital machine (I know - I'm a bit behind). I don't need a lot of bells and whistles but am looking for a basic, good quality recorder with 1 hour our more capacity and one that can handle music frequencies, not only voice. A few I've looked at (Zoom, e.g.) are beyond my price range and have too many features I won't use. I'm looking for one in the $100 or less range.

Any help / suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

DWBass · #2 08-03-2009, 05:55 AM

Nothing is available at that price range unless you find something used. Maybe find an old minidisc recorder.

RickenBoogie · #3 08-04-2009, 02:15 PM

Boss Micro BR is about as small and simple as it gets. Around 200 bucks.

synaesthesia · #4 08-04-2009, 02:21 PM

There are loads of VCRs which were designed to record stereo audio in addition to video, which took additional tracks on the VHS tapes. But even your most basic VCRs will do a decent job and you can get tapes that run for 3 hours.

You'd find them cheap and probably less than $50 these days. I have one of the better (in their day) Sony ones which I keep for recording rehearsals in my studio. Look for the ones that say hi fi stereo, and if you are lucky you'd fine one with optical/digital outs. Sort of like a two tracks cheap ADAT.

Bass-desires · #5 08-05-2009, 08:00 AM

How good of a recording can one expect from Mini-disc? Sorry don't mean to maybe hijack but maybe the OP would like to know too.

AndGabrielFell · #6 08-05-2009, 08:18 AM

I just picked up a ZOOM H2 Handy Recorder for $170 at Sam Ash. If you Google, then click on Shopping, sort from cheapest to most expensive, Sam Ash will match the lowest price you find as long as it's not used.

kraigo · #7 08-05-2009, 08:22 AM

+1 on the Zoom H2. I think it's the way to go.

KO

busmandan · #8 08-05-2009, 09:53 AM

The original Fostex MR-8 records on CF cards and can be had all day long on eBay for around $100.

Charling · #9 08-06-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass-desires

How good of a recording can one expect from Mini-disc? Sorry don't mean to maybe hijack but maybe the OP would like to know too.

it's ok, theres nothing wrong with the format, its not going to have the 'resolution' or 'fidelity' of other recording methods, but if you have a nice mic and place it well it will sound as good as most other recording devices in its category. The medium doesn't make a huge amount of difference to the quality really, unless you are talking 'proper' recording.

The inbuilt pre amp of the device will make a difference and a dedicated recording device is likely to have a slightly better one but for the purposes hand held recorders are usually used for it won't make a big difference!

DWBass · #10 08-06-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass-desires

How good of a recording can one expect from Mini-disc? Sorry don't mean to maybe hijack but maybe the OP would like to know too.

LOL! Well, minidisc was THE portable solution for many years! Audio quality was quite good. An external stereo mic was used.

**Gladowsky** · #11 08-06-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synaesthesia

There are loads of VCRs which were designed to record stereo audio in addition to video, which took additional tracks on the VHS tapes. But even your most basic VCRs will do a decent job and you can get tapes that run for 3 hours.

You'd find them cheap and probably less than $50 these days. I have one of the better (in their day) Sony ones which I keep for recording rehearsals in my studio. Look for the ones that say hi fi stereo, and if you are lucky you'd fine one with optical/digital outs. Sort of like a two tracks cheap ADAT.

A VCR??? Are you kidding? I was referring to portable units (that's what the ZOOM is).

unclekebm · #12 08-06-2009, 12:01 PM

I got my Zoom H2 for $167.00 shipped
It's simple and sounds great, plus it comes with a mic clip adaptor (very handy)

jerseyrichSnr · #13 08-06-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass-desires

How good of a recording can one expect from Mini-disc? Sorry don't mean to maybe hijack but maybe the OP would like to know too.

It's spelled minidisc. I've been using minidisc for years for recording live.

The sound quality is equivalent to a CD. Some prefer it to CD, as it sounds more mellow or more "analog". But there's NO hiss, and NO wow/flutter. That is, a piano really sounds like a piano, and an acoustic guitar really sounds like the original instrument.

The main problem with minidisc for recording is that to transfer it to other media, you have to convert it to analog and resample it to make it into a wav file or mpeg. It's a PIA, but you can retain the quality if you are careful.

Another issue is that recording is usually only 2 track or stereo. I have a multitrack minidisc recorder, on which you can build up a stereo mix, but it's much more expensive than $100, and they don't make them anymore. Plus I still have the analog transfer problem.

Other than the above problem, it's the only game in town for you if you want to move from cassette to digital quality for less than $100.

groooooove · #14 08-06-2009, 12:25 PM

you should really consider spending the extra money on the zoom h2.. it gives you professional quality live recordings, and its stupid easy to use. it'll come in handy. i use a yamaha pocketrak (i think it was close to $300 when i bought it new) and it doesn't sound as good as the H2.

jerseyrichSnr · #15 08-06-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groooooove

you should really consider spending the extra money on the zoom h2.. it gives you professional quality live recordings, and its stupid easy to use. it'll come in handy. i use a yamaha pocketrak (i think it was close to $300 when i bought it new) and it doesn't sound as good as the H2.

I agree with the zoom h2 if he has $179 to spend. But he was looking for a price under $100. Maybe the fostex mr-8 would be a contender, but why are they going so cheap? Anyone have any direct experience with it? The Mk II is so much more expensive. FWIW, minidisc is known for sounding better than mp3. People have tracked albums with minidisc.

Also, I forgot to note that minidisc has WAY more dynamic range than cassette (doesn't sound squashed).

synaesthesia · #16 08-06-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gladowsky

A VCR??? Are you kidding? I was referring to portable units (that's what the ZOOM is).

No you weren't and you haven't got the money.
So much for trying to help.

HogieWan · #17 08-06-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass-desires

How good of a recording can one expect from Mini-disc? Sorry don't mean to maybe hijack but maybe the OP would like to know too.

MiniDisc's have GREAT recording qualities, but Sony thinks you are just trying to copy music that not yours, so there is no way to get the music to another format without playing and recording into your computer.

**Gladowsky** · #18 08-07-2009, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synaesthesia

No you weren't and you haven't got the money.
So much for trying to help.

I apologize for my harsh comment. It was rude. I should have been more clear in my writing. I'm very sorry.

**Gladowsky** · #19 08-07-2009, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerseyrichSnr

I agree with the zoom h2 if he has $179 to spend. But he was looking for a price under $100. Maybe the fostex mr-8 would be a contender, but why are they going so cheap? Anyone have any direct experience with it? The Mk II is so much more expensive. FWIW, minidisc is known for sounding better than mp3. People have tracked albums with minidisc.

Also, I forgot to note that minidisc has WAY more dynamic range than cassette (doesn't sound squashed).

I will have to put the Zoom H2 on my wish list and just save up the money. Thanks very much for all of the help.

svp · #20 08-07-2009, 07:34 AM

Check out the Line6 Backtrack at GC or MF website.