Looking for a small handheld type recorder...

[LuckyScott]

I am looking for something to record practice sessions so I can practice at home to the same arrangements. Played with some guys, and the drummer had this little recorder with two mic's on top. Kinda looked like a "T"
I think it was a sony. Really made nice recordings, and the quality was way better than I expected.
Does anybody have a recommendation or know what kind of recorder I am trying to describe?

 

[Col Pruse]

I’ve been using the zoom h2n to record practices and gigs for a few years now.

Recording quality is great and it’s not too expensive.
Zoom H2n Handy Recorder

 

[And I]

I have a tascam dr-07. There are many similar recorders like what you describe in the $100 price range that sound really good. Zoom, Sony, Tascam, whatever you find on sale will do ya good.

 

[mikewalker]

Zoom H2N fan here, too. Mine's been around the world - and not always handled so gently - and still delivers the goods! Excellent recording quality and excellent battery life as well...

 

[Skybone]

The Tascam DR-05 is very good too.

 

[schietschijfje]

I use the Tascam DR40, which also has two XLR and 1/4" line inputs
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[bludog]

The one your drummer has is probably one of the Zoom models. But, if you have an iphone you might consider just using the stock voice memo app for recording moderate volume rehearsals. If you position it well (not hard), you can get nice clean recordings that are easy to text or email your bandmates and it's easy to recall and playback in your practice sessions at home. Non-iphone users may have similar solutions on their smartphone of choice too but I wouldn't know.

 

[PaulCISSA]

I bought a Invalid Link Removed years ago and have been doing this for a while (3+ years). When I joined the current original gig I'm in, they had nothing to share for material - no lead sheets, charts , notation, recordings...nuthin.
It saved my hide more than a few times and i record everything to catch those spontaneous artistic moments that some musicians have.

I found the built-in mics lacking for quality and stood up a couple of large-element condensors in the room and a big, big difference.

 

[vickerekes]

I like this Olympus LS-14 - has lots of features (sound on sound, slow play, etc.) and a 3rd mike just to pick up bass frequencies.

 

[DirkP]

In Europe the Zoom H6 has become incredible cheap for what you get (about 300,-).
6 channel recording, 2 mic capsules. 4 XLR inputs, 6 possible.

 

[Cownancy]

Love my old Zoom. Replaced our heavy small board and 2 U-87s with the zoom for recording live orchestras/bands and the sound was incredible enough to stop lugging the heavy board and risking damage to the U-87s.

 

[gfen]

Had a Zoom H2n, now have a Zoom H4n.

The 2 was great for what I used it for, mostly quick and dirty voice recordings or picking up ambient environment sounds for things. The 4 actually loses some functionality for the above (less built in widgets) but adds two XLR/quarter inch inputs which makes it likely better for this kind of work.

 

[DirkP]

The one your drummer has is probably one of the Zoom models. But, if you have an iphone you might consider just using the stock voice memo app for recording moderate volume rehearsals. If you position it well (not hard), you can get nice clean recordings that are easy to text or email your bandmates and it's easy to recall and playback in your practice sessions at home. Non-iphone users may have similar solutions on their smartphone of choice too but I wouldn't know.

Yes if you have an iPhone, you could even buy the mics, Shure and I guess even Zoom and others offer with a lightning adapter. I have the Shure MV88 and it works very good. Works even with the camera app.
I own the Zoom, because it has more inputs and I never really trust my iPhone 100%. The H6 runs for days if Phantom Power is not needed.
This is the simple Shure MV88, there is a plus version that has usb-c and even more features.

 

[dave_bass5]

Ive just got a Roland R-07 and love it. Small and feels more robust than my Tascam DR-05 (which feels very flimsy).
The R-07 has Bluetooth and so can be controlled from my phone and Apple Watch. this is very handy for keeping an eye on the levels, and of course can be used to change them. Can also connect to my BT headphones and speaker.
its not the cheapest out there by a long way, but for recording rehearsals and gigs it offers exactly what i need, and doesnt have loads of features i will never use.

 

[StatesideRambler]

Before I got my Zoom H2n I’d used Sony or Panasonic or Olympus digital voice recorder. They’re $20-$50 at Walmart. I was very happy with the price and performance. Clear sound, eight hours of recording time, USB interface on all but the pricey ones have Bluetooth. The physical size is so small you could drop two of ‘em into a shirt pocket and they’ll flop around. Lots of features you can use or, even better, ignore.

Even having a Zoom I may get a new pocket DVR. I like how small and unobtrusive it is.

 

[groovaholic]

I have an Olympus LS-10 that I’ve owned for about 10 years - it’s a handy device and built like a brick “out”house.

It’s currently collecting dust because my band uses a PreSonus digital mixer, so we have CD-quality multitrack recordings of our rehearsals...

 

[Wood and Wire]

One cool thing about the Zoom products is that they can be used as an audio interface for most DAWs.

The old ones were limited to 16Bit in DAW mode (though not limited for standalone recording), but I'm pretty sure they all offer 24Bit now, and additional are supplied with a basic version of Cubase.

 

[Paulabass]

Most people don't need the fancy features of more expensive ones (you might). They just want something to record live shows. Any Zoom will do the job for low bucks. BTW- They are ALL good, just choose your features.

 

[mdjuszyn]

Nobody really talks about the Zoom H5. I have interchangeable capsules for XY or Mid-Side recording and two XLR inputs. Love it.