Cheaper digital recorders

[Aaron]

I'd like to get a digital recorder for $50-75 used that fit the following criteria:

-2-4 tracks
-can record 44.1k/24bit wavs
-no built-in mics
-preferably 1/4" or xlr inputs
-wavs can be transferred to a computer instantly, so you don't have to wait 8 hours to load 8 hours of material.
-preferably pre and post 'tape' headphone monitoring

Is it possible? Am I dreaming?

 

[4Mal]

wake up and sniff the coffee Aaron. Time for work... so you can pay for that zoom H4 ...

 

[Aaron]

The thing is that the zoom has a bunch of features that I don't really want - primarily the built in mics. I already have mics I'd rather use for most applications. Most of the time I prefer omni mics (figure 8 secondly) with stereo micing. Cardiod is 3rd on the list. To me it seems that the zoom's price would drop significantly if it dropped the mics.

I'm somewhat leaning towards minidisc, except the problem is that I'd greatly prefer uncompressed 24bit/44.1k audio.

I've spent a lot of time with a portable marantz stereo analog cassette recorder, which I like quite a bit. My main problem is that it is inconvenient. It sucks up batteries incredibly fast, digitizing the audio takes forever, and you can only hold 30 minutes per side. Its playback is pretty nice for birding, though.

 

[Aaron]

I think the Ps-02/04 is closer to what I'm looking for, except it doesn't appear to have stereo inputs, and it has a bunch of stuff I don't want (i.e. drum machine).

 

[Vandelay]

All that for $50-$75? I strongly suspect that you're dreaming.

And don't go minidisc -- it's a dead technology with no future.

 

[kevinmoore73]

And don't go minidisc -- it's a dead technology with no future.

And loaded with Sony's special brand of proprietary garbage.

As for the $50-$75 range, I think you're dreaming. Though it has built-in mics, have you looked at the Zoom H2?

 

[Aaron]

All that for $50-$75? I strongly suspect that you're dreaming.

There have been a number of ps-02 and ps-04 that have sold for $50-75 on ebay. If they had a stereo input, it looks like they would fit my criteria.

 

[Aaron]

As for the $50-$75 range, I think you're dreaming. Though it has built-in mics, have you looked at the Zoom H2?

I've seen it. It looks like the mics are the primary selling point. Personally - I want something a lot more barebones.

I don't think I'm really dreaming about price. If the H2 was stripped down to just take stereo audio signal from an external source (rather than internal mics) and convert it to digital onto a card/internal hard drive (with no processing/other bells and whistles I'd never use), I wouldn't be surprised if it was half the price. Then on the used market, it would probably go for around $70.

 

[Aaron]

And don't go minidisc -- it's a dead technology with no future.

I'm not really concerned with something being state of the art. I'm more or less okay with using a stereo analog cassette field recorder, it is just that A/D conversion is a major PITA and it sucks up batteries making it expensive in the long run. It would have all the features I need and no more packaged in a simple, very easy to use interface. Plus, for things like train recordings, the analog machine is a lot more forgiving for peaks.

I don't need anything audiophile. If I'm going to record a demo/album/live recording I'll rely on my 18-track DAW, humble mic locker, and whatever I can borrow.

The main things I'd use for the recorder are binaural soundscapes, bird songs for my own enjoyment/to freak out cats, and the occasional rehearsal/show for feedback. I live in an urban area, so it isn't like the sounds I'd be recording are hi-fi to begin with. There will always be car/airplane/combustion engine/fan noise bleeding into the recordings.

My friend's minidisc setup seemed to work pretty well for similar applications, except his player only had an audio output, so he could only upload material in realtime.