Personal Recording Devices.........thoughts, experiences??

[Steve]

The H2 isn't outdated, the samples are in that there are more choices on the market now than at the time that was posted.

I would be willing to bet that those clips where done with the onboard mics as they match fairly accurately my personal experience.

The mics in all of the untis I've encountered are pretty dang impressive.

I think the H2 prices have dropped to close to $125-150 and that is an amazing deal.

IMHO

From the site:

Technical Info
All of the samples were made with the built-in microphones of each recorder.

No external mics were used.

The original recordings were 16-bit/44.1kHz wav files.

For optimal web listening, the sound samples on this page and all other pages on this site were converted to 192kbps/16-bit/44.1kHz mp3 files with dBpowerAmp Music Converter.

 

[kevinmoore73]

The H2 might have been one of the first, but combine the quality of its recordings, its "open" nature regarding batteries and memory cards, the included accessories, and the fact that it's the least expensive of the bunch makes it extremely compelling.

I use regular off-the-shelf 2650mAh NiMH AA batteries to power my H2 and I get hours of recording time per charge. I also use an 8GB SDHC memory card for over 12.5 hours worth of recording in 44.1kHz/16-bit mode. (SDHC cards up to 32GB can be used in the H2)

 

[adammazza]

I've had a few Tascam recorders and trainers. I sold them and picked up the new Zoom H4n. Works great, and can be used as an audio interface in a pinch.

Adam

 

[VroomVroom]

I keep hearing/seeing the Zooms in action, and they're undoubtedly awesome. Also - mounting - don't discount the value of velcro. My M-Audio goes on the music stand without the need for an adapter. Makes for flexible placement and very easy use. Good luck...

 

[g4string]

The H2 isn't outdated, the samples are..........

I read your post wrong.......my apologies

 

[brightorangband]

I use the Zoom H4 and it is AMAZING! I use it to practice and record gigs I take it home connect to the computer and listen to all the f*** ups my guitar player made I think its worth the 250$

 

[dave_bass5]

All I want to do is have a nice easy to use 'plug and play' recorder for band practices.......ease of use is key to me......as is ease of uploading files on to my Mac so I can burn the rehearsals to CD's (or email) and share with the guys.

Im loving my Edirol (Roland) R-09HR recorder. Its not as cheap or sophisticated as the Zoom ones but i didnt need 4 mics or any of the other things they have over the R-09. I just wanted a small, stereo very high quality recorder. And this comes with a remote as well.
Once you switch it on you just push the big centre button to go into rec standby and thne again to start it recording.
I normally strap it to our singers mic stand at gigs so its right in the middle of the stage. This gives a nice stereo image and it picks the monitor up down by his mic stand so the vocals come out very clear. It picks up the low B from my P5 very clearly.

 

[dropbass]

i dig my little boss micro Br it does wav and stuff too...wish it had more onborad for bass but hey i just run a multi effects into it wks great...

 

[Madcity Fats]

Im loving my Edirol (Roland) R-09HR recorder.

I have the predecessor (the R-09, whose max resolution is 24/44.1 rather than 24/96) and it's a fantastic device. I don't think I have a single complaint about its controls or features.

If I lost this, I'd buy the R-09HR to replace it in a heartbeat. I like mine so much I was almost tempted to upgrade to the newer model when it came out, but the slight improvement in sample rate doesn't justify it for me (honestly, I usually just record in 16-bit and have always been happy with the quality I've gotten).

 

[four2oh]

Lots of threads on this, but I'll toss out a recommendation for the M-Audio Microtrack 24/96. .....The only downside, IMO...battery life. It's useless, even for short efforts, so I'm committed to A/C only.

I too love the original M-Audio MicroTrack, and they are cheap to find these days, as the other poster mentioned.. battery life is OK, but the real downside to it is that the internal battery can't replaced (by the user), and eventually it'll die and have to be sent back to M-Audio for a replacement internal battery.

Also, after market mics are generally better than the builtin/included mics that come with most of the portable recorders out there.

 

[jmccain]

The H2 has a slider on the side with gain settings of low, medium, and high. As far as I remember, low is equivalent to "none". I record everything with it set to low and adjust on the computer.

And each of those settings can be finely adjusted as well.

 

[stingray69]

The H2 might have been one of the first, but combine the quality of its recordings, its "open" nature regarding batteries and memory cards, the included accessories, and the fact that it's the least expensive of the bunch makes it extremely compelling.

I use regular off-the-shelf 2650mAh NiMH AA batteries to power my H2 and I get hours of recording time per charge. I also use an 8GB SDHC memory card for over 12.5 hours worth of recording in 44.1kHz/16-bit mode. (SDHC cards up to 32GB can be used in the H2)

+1

There are some technology-specific advantages with the Zoom H2 - I too love the fact that it can utilize standard rechargeable batteries readily available anywhere, rather than in internal rechargeable battery unit (much like a cordless phone or cellphone). Rechargeable battery packs like that will eventually diminish in its capacity to hold a charge and/or fail over time - at least that's been my experience, so replacement factors come into play. Plus, Zoom actively enhances & puts out firmware updates for their product lines. If your firmware is up to date, the H2 can utilize a Transcend 16GB SD card for maximum storage (like I use). I have nothing negative to say about any other brand - I have no experience with any of these with exception of the Zoom H2. That said, the H2's recording are always excellent quality & the specs are really impressive.

 

[dave_bass5]

If I lost this, I'd buy the R-09HR to replace it in a heartbeat. I like mine so much I was almost tempted to upgrade to the newer model when it came out, but the slight improvement in sample rate doesn't justify it for me (honestly, I usually just record in 16-bit and have always been happy with the quality I've gotten).

To be honest i normally record at 24bit as im going to convert them to MP3 once ive edited the gaps out but i cant say i really notice any difference and wouldnt miss the 24bit and will never use 96. Ive have eveb used it in MP3 mode and that still sounds great.
Ive been using a Sony MD recorder for years now but this is just so much clearer, and even once its all converted to MP3 things like the cymbols still have the clarity without fizz that just sounds like a studio recording.

 

[ninerfan]

And each of those settings can be finely adjusted as well.

+1

The H/M/L settings will get you in the ballpark and then you can fine tune the levels in the menu. Once you get the levels right and the right placement in the room the H2 makes some incredible recordings. My drummer was floored by how well it picked up everything from the kick to the snare, high hat crash, ect... I think what makes this so popular on TB is how well the internal mics pick up the bass.
Everything about the H2 is quick and easy with lots of options. IMO and lots of others you can't go wrong with the H2.

 

[Luther Blissett]

I used to have the original microtrack, and it worked great, for interviews, recording sessions and live gigs.
But it has some flaws: the meter lights are a minor one. They were far from accurate, and didn't have any scale on them (-50 to 0db for example ).

A much more serious flaw are the preamps for external mics:, the small stereo mic that comes with it does it's job perfectly. But when you want/need to use external mics, the preamps just don't cut it. They are a bit noise, but that's ok, but they are a bit weak, and thus you always a very quiet signal.

Also, when you want to use a line in, it's also tricky. They use the consumer standard for line in's (-10dbU), where, if you would like to run a line from a mixing board (from the pa for example), those lines are usually on a pro sound level (+4dbU), which means everything is continuously and massively overdriven and distorted (and thus, useless) if you use a line in on your microtrack.

I have no idea if these flaws were corrected in the microtrack II.

If you're only going to use the little T-mic that comes with it, it's a very good piece of equipment. if you ever would like to use external mics or line, you might consider something else

I borrowed it to a friend, and they stole it from him. (he was nice and paid me back though)

Since then I've upgraded to the tascam HD-P2, which is a fantastic piece of equipment. but most probably too much for your needs (I use it to record live gigs, sessions, radio-interviews and field recording). And you need to get some good external mics (which can be frightfully expensive). but I love my recorder.

a friend of mine has the zoom H2, and is very happy with it. also heard good things about the edirol stuff.

Now I'm on the lookout again for a small pocket recorder. Has anybody used the tascam dr-100?

 

[4Mal]

I put out a WTB on CL last week and snagged a Zoom H4 for reasonably cheap. I recorded my singer and I, me playing acoustic guitar yesterday. A demo of Ziggy Marley's 'Reggae Now'. The recording was a 16 bit, 48K - stupid - I should have been at 24 bit and 44.1 - gotta remember to check that next time. Anyhow I took the resultant 2 track .WAV up into protools and let PT convert it into 24 bit. That seems to have worked out. Once in PT it is just a stereo track and I've layered bass 'n drums on it. Work's like a charm. I gotta get me real drummer though as I kind of sound like a developmentally disadvantaged drum circle ...