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A device for recording ideas?

K

Kgoodrich

Feb 6, 2008
673
2
Minneapolis, Minnesota
www.myspace.com
#1
I'm sure this may have been asked before but my experience in this part of the forums is little to none and the search has brought up nothing useful.

I'm wondering if there are any recommendations on a small device or interface of some sort that would allow me to record my bass through itself or maybe through an amp, I have a couple of basses that are not all in one spot and it would be nice to have something around that would be portable enough for me to transport from my girlfriends apartment, to my house, then maybe even in the area where I practice so I can be record musical ideas.

Almost like a digital recorder or something with a 1/4" jack.

any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
 
#2
I've read a lot of good things about the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. I don't believe it has a direct line in for an instrument, but it is reportedly very easy and simple to use. You could just turn it on and start playing through your amp.

I have even heard of people using it as a "taper rig" on a high mic stand at live shows with surprisingly good results.
 
#6
I had a Boss Micro BR recorder ($229) for this purpose, but I found it too much of a hassle to record impromptu ideas with. Sound was great, but the point for me was to get ideas down quickly so I could remember them. I went back to a little Sony digital voice recorder ($50 at Office Depot) and it does just great. No 1/4" line in, but it does have a little 1/8" mic input (you might work something with an adaptor). I just use the built in mic. Another feature I like is a jack for connecting USB to my computer so I can catalog the little musical ideas on the computer.
Small, easy to use (just press record and go), and inexpensive.

edit: Ah! lposavad beat me to it while I was typing!
 
#8
i just returned a digital voice recorder yesterday and today i bought a tascam dr-1

the voice recorder was almost sufficient for my needs, but even with the mic sensitivity turned to lo, the full band rehearsals were hard to capture...and the noise was hard to control

i'm going to post a review with some clips of the tascam this weekend after our next rehearsal, but, briefly, i charged the battery this afternoon, went to practice with one of our guitarists, and i just sat the unit down on a footstool next to us and pressed record...this thing sounds simply amazing, and i haven't even scratched the surface of the capabilities

it's my like my cassette recorder for the new millenium, and sounds very warm for a digital device
 
#10
I have the Boss micro br, it takes a little getting used to because it is so much more than just a recorder. I mainly use it to record my ideas but have recently been using it to record band jamming sessions. It has proved to be one of my best purchases.
 
#14
i have used crappy karaoke machines for a lot of recording, especially in the days of my youth. i still use one at times for recording band practices, yes its low tech but its also cheap and easy to setup. mine has two mic inputs, so i just get a good room mix and mic it accordingly. i also use it to record my practice routine, so i can listen later and learn from it.
 
#17
tomvelsor said:
a boss rc-20XL might work. its a loop station..but can hold up to i believe 16 minutes worth of phrases.
Click to expand...

+1,000,000 definitely what you looking for. I bought one and it's great because it can go right onto your pedalboard and still be used in the recording process. I think a loop station is actually the best idea for recording ideas because you can record a basic idea and then elaborate on them with the overdub option. They only drawback is that the metronome only counts 4/4, but at about $200 i think it is your best option. You could use it to organize your musical ideas before recording it onto your computer via some audio interface.
 

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