Portable recorders...best bang for your buck?

[bassvi]

I'm enjoying my Yamaha Pocketrack a lot. I've recorded a couple of qigs with my jazz quartet that sound almost like they were done in a studio. These gadgets are wonderful for studying from rehearsals and on the fly recording of gigs, I'm really glad I invested in one.

 

[Steve]

Regarding the Zoom H2 -

I recorded our last rehearsal using the video feature of my Fujifilm Finepix camera.
Our drummer brought a Zoom H2.
We recorded the same songs with the devices sitting side by side.

The drummer sent me the files that he got off the Zoom.
I was stunned by the results!
The sound quality from the Finepix video was considerably better than from the Zoom. I really expected better sound quality from the Zoom recorder over the Finepix which is primarily a still-image digital camera with limited video capability.

I don't know why I got those results, it could be something that my drummer did in the processing of the files (he uses a Mac, and the files he sent are MPEG-4 AAC LC, 256 kbps, 44100 Hz.) It could be something in the setup of the Zoom.

My files were AVIs, Audio info is listed as 16000hz, 8bps, 1ch.

Specs aside, the files I made sound much better than the ones he made.

I don't know what all that means, but I'm just passing along what I experienced.

Coincidentally, I also own the Fuji F20 and zoom h2 tending to use the video from the fuji with the audio from the H2

If the H2 audio is not crushing the fuji in just about every way possible, something happened in post that degraded the H2 recording.

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I actually spent this morning messing around with the Fuji / zoomh2 files.

I can tell you this, the Fuji has a significantly beefed up low end thing going on. It's not "reality" the way the h2 is.

 

[PaulMacCnj]

I've been using the Tascam DP-004 for a couple of months and am very happy with it. Even the built-in mics do a good job of picking up loud (full band) and soft (acoustic guitar)sounds.

 

[Froaderick]

Just picked up the Zoom H4 (not H4n) and it does a great job.

 

[DreadRaver]

I can tell you this, the Fuji has a significantly beefed up low end thing going on. It's not "reality" the way the h2 is.

That's probably why I liked what I heard out of it!

As I mentioned, it was our drummer's H2 and he admitted that didn't know how to set it up very well.
Also, I think he passed the files through iTunes, so what I heard probably lost something from the original.

He must have had the limiter setting
set to high. It's trial and error to figure out the best settings and actual placement.

Thanks for the reply, I'll pass that info along to our drummer.

 

[J. Crawford]

TASCAM DP-004

Sorry for bumping a tad bit older thread, but I just got one and have no idea what Im doing. I keep reading the book, and it doesnt help at all.

Any one know of a free video? I just want simple 4 track recording with playback when Im done.. none of the supere special stuff as of now.

 

[bass4worship]

I really like the zoom h2. Although I can't seem to ever get the playback to fast forward or rewind....?

Go into the menu and use the AB loop, it will allow you to fast forward or rewind quickly.

 

[castleshade13]

my freind just bought a cool digital video camera for about $200 and a Zoom H4n so the total is like $500 or so, if you can afford it the Zoom H4n is great! its like a mini plastic tank!

don't drop it mind

but its great for recording rehearsals if you put it in the middle of the room

i think it has like 4 mics within the two pole mics 2 for drums and 1 for each bass and guitar

check it out

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[dasruckus]

The zoom h2 isn't that great at all. It's pretty terrible for loud band recording because you have to turn it down so low and drums still cause it to clip.

I would go with the new h4n, so versatile.

 

[DWBass]

The zoom h2 isn't that great at all. It's pretty terrible for loud band recording because you have to turn it down so low and drums still cause it to clip.

I would go with the new h4n, so versatile.

It's all about placement and settings. I've yet to get a bad recording from mine.

 

[1kinal]

It's all about placement and settings. I've yet to get a bad recording from mine.

+1

Never got it to clip with any level or instrument. Even playing LOUD with a Carvin B1500 (1500 watts).

 

[lexxmexx]

The H4n's built in mics seem like they are pointing at one direction, unlike the H2 with the front and rear mics that give the impression of 360 degrees coverage. My band guys usually stand in circle like a campfire during rehearsals, the H2 seems ideal in this setting by placing it in the center of the circle but I am actually GASing for the H4n.

Can the H4n be used in these situations?
How do I place it for optimum recording quality?

 

[DWBass]

The H4n's built in mics seem like they are pointing at one direction, unlike the H2 with the front and rear mics that give the impression of 360 degrees coverage. My band guys usually stand in circle like a campfire during rehearsals, the H2 seems ideal in this setting by placing it in the center of the circle but I am actually GASing for the H4n.

Can the H4n be used in these situations?
How do I place it for optimum recording quality?

I own the H2 and I know it is capable of recording in 4 channel stereo. I've done it.

quoted from the Samsontech page..........

Why four channels are better than two.

Everyone knows that proper miking is essential to making a great recording. The H4n is the only handheld recorder that allows you to record on four channels simultaneously by using its onboard mics with either external mics or direct inputs. You can then use its built-in mixer to blend the channels for perfectly balanced recordings. Now your recordings can be richer than ever before.