• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

hand held digital recorder recommendation?

Axtman

Axtman

Supporting Member
Mar 3, 2008
2,573
4,709
Seattle, WA
#1
I am interested in a hand held digital recording device to record band practices. I want to record them then download the file to our website for the members to listen to. To be honest I don't think some of the members hear their mistakes or where what they are playing does not work. This will help them since "the tape never lies". Of course I will also hear my mistakes to :bawl:

I am currently interested in the Tascam DR-07MKII, though I hear a lot of good reviews about the Zoom recorders.

Please advise.
 
#7
Axtman said:
I hear a lot of good reviews about the Zoom recorders.
Click to expand...

I recently bought a Zoom H1 recorder, for the very reasons you mentioned. I used it for the first time at our rehearsal last week. Played it back through the P.A. and we were all surprised and happy with the recording quality. It is also great for practicing alone at home.

The H1 is the basic model. There is also the H2, 3 and 4. These get incrementally more technical ( and more expensive ), with more bells and whistles, as you go up.

If it is just a basic recording device to do what you describe, then for the price I can recommend the Zoom H1.

There are a few demonstrations and reviews on You Tube if you do a search.
 
#8
I have three Zoom recorders, two also do video.
H2, Q3, and Q2HD.
The Q2HD is may favorite as it records just audio or audio and video in 720p.
Put it out in front of the stage somewhere at your next gig and just let it run.
Quite a reality check in reviewing band performance and stage behavior.
They all work just fine IMO.

Keep in mind you are doing pure ambient recordings.

I agree with you on the "they don't (want to) hear mistakes" conclusion.
Be ready to have them all tell you the recorder is at fault.
Yes, I have had singers tell me they simply do not sing flat and the recorder must be faulty.:rollno:
 
#9
The Zoom recorders are great. I have Zoom Q2HD which is essentially the H1 with HD video. The video is good if there is good lighting, but it's nothing stellar, the sound is great though. I often take it to shows, do a quick mix on the track, and give bands a live mix of their set. It really does a great job. The auto gain features are nice too.
 
#11
fearceol said:
If it is just a basic recording device to do what you describe, then for the price I can recommend the Zoom H1.
Click to expand...
+1

I had a Tascam recorder that worked very well and had a lot of nice features, but it was a fair amount of work to remember how to use it. After accidentally losing that one, I replaced it with a Zoom H1. There are no menus, and it's bonehead simple to operate. Turn it on and press the red button to record. Very reasonably priced too.
 
#13
I'm I the only one around that hate zoom recorders?

I have only used them for professionnal sound recording (i'm a boom operator / sound engineer), and the pre-amp on those thing was extremely noisy.

The GUI was not user friendly and each time I turn that damn thing on I had to reconfigure wich input I wanted to use and the input level.

The whole thing felt like it could physically fall appart at the slightest gush of wind and the battery life with external mic (that required phantom power) just plain sucked.

For the same price, get a Tascam (like the DR-100 or even the DR-40)
 
#14
MrPierre said:
I'm I the only one around that hate zoom recorders?

I have only used them for professionnal sound recording (i'm a boom operator / sound engineer), and the pre-amp on those thing was extremely noisy.

The GUI was not user friendly and each time I turn that damn thing on I had to reconfigure wich input I wanted to use and the input level.

The whole thing felt like it could physically fall appart at the slightest gush of wind and the battery life with external mic (that required phantom power) just plain sucked.

For the same price, get a Tascam (like the DR-100 or even the DR-40)
Click to expand...
Something doesn't quite jibe here...

I'm guessing you've used the H4, which does have the ability to connect an external phantom powered mic. It's quite understandable that would drain the batteries quite quickly.

I have the H2n and have also had the H2. They work according to specs, with battery life that's better than the 20 hours stated in the manual.

The only issue I've had is its maximum SPL which is a little too low. Our drummer's crash tends to overload it in rehearsal. Input noise is not an issue; I suppose it could be if you're recording conversations.

Other than that it's a fantastic piece of gear!
 
#15
I love my Tascam DR40. It's a four channel recorder, records multiple qualities and formats of wav and also mp3. Can record from the external mics + stereo L and R lines in, also mono line-in (great for running the XLR out of your bass amp to it for recording).. it has great recording quality. I was looking at the Zoom recorders, but the lack of mic guards was a dealbreaker. They're a bit flimsy and reading reviews, some people have had the mics break off their Zoom's. The Tascam units have metal rails around the mics. You can also change the mics to get more of a focused sound, or pick up the entire room.

I'm impressed by it. It cost $150ish. It takes standard AA batteries which last HOURS, but can also be powered via the USB bus. The menus are very easy to navigate.
 
#17
I have an old Zoom H-4, and I record everything rehearsals and performances. I play fretless, and I listen to playback to judge my intonation and identify problems. My biggest challenge with the Zoom itself has been with the autogain feature, but it's probably operator error. I found it easier to record entire sets and then use Audacity (or similar) to chop the set files into individual songs. Another bonus is being able to make mp3 files from cassettes or LPs. I put hand held recorders right up there with Transcribe!, which is software that makes learning songs from MP3 files easier.
 
#20
I have a Roland R05 and so far its pretty sweet.
Metal hard wearing case. Very clear recording. Very easy to use and transfer to Computer and great at loud volume.
We are quite a loud band (well, we are thanks to the loud drummer) and I can put the
R05 right in the middle of us all, in front of the drummer, and the recording comes out clean and clear as with no distortion.
I haven't used (or needed to) any other device but I give this one my big thumbs up.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back