Recording Ideas

[paulyp]

So I’m after a device thats quick start up for recording ideas when playing bass, I have a zoom h2 but it now old and takes about 4 mins to even recognise the SD card. Can someone let me know what they use for this please - I don’t really want to use my phone - cheers

 

[And I]

Are you looking to avoid a computer being part of the equation?

I use computer, audio interface, daw. Pretty common simple setup.

 

[And I]

Have you tried a fresh sd card? Is the old one close to full?

 

[DirtDog]

You’re not really going to get much more purpose specific than a Zoom portable recorder. Maybe upgrade to a newer model?

 

[boing]

If you’re trying to just capture spontaneous ideas on the fly, a looper pedal would be always on and just a foot stomp away. That’s what I use mine for, and it’s been invaluable.

 

[Basslice]

I second the idea of a new Zoom. I have an H2 and am fine with it, but it takes a long time to spool up. I would guess the new ones are instantaneous.

 

[Lostgallifreyan]

I use an older Marantz PMD660 I got off Ebay. It's light, extremely robust, and takes a CF card, also more robust than SD is.

It has two suprisingly good electret mics built in, and XLR fittings with phantom power for external condensor mics. It's very useful at times, fairly quick to start up too. The main downside is battery life, so it's worth usign a power adapter.

It's made for journalists rather than musicians, but that's why I like it, I wanted a general purpose high quality audio device that was all but bomb-proof, and I got one. Buying the older variants is a good way to save what is otherwise a lot of money.

 

[Gruff]

Bucking the Zoom trend, I use a Tascam DR-40X. It's probably about 10 seconds from pressing the power button to recording something. Plus points are four track recording with two built in condenser mics and two XLRs.

 

[Killing Floor]

I use my Interface for stuff I already semi like. But if I have an idea land I have a NUX looper next to my amp and it’s a double click to record. I joke that it’s like having a note pad for ideas. Then when I’m finished I can write a guitar rough track and maybe keys on top. Dead simple.

 

[paulyp]

Thanks everyone - my journey continues, yep I’m trying to avoid a DAW type set up which I have already but it’s more for the instant ideas I’m getting at the moment that I want to use a portable device - so I will look at upgrades from the H2 but I also like the Marantz PMD660 idea looks old school too - thanks again

 

[Omega Monkey]

I haven't used mine lately, but my H2 which is now about 10 years old or so never seemed to have any start up problems. And even if that's the case, just get in the habit of starting it up before you start practicing. If you want to be really thorough, you could even just plan to record each "section" of practicing/jamming/fooling around, and then you can delete later.

But failing that, if the thing really is having insurmountable issues, yeah, just get another "field recorder" type device like that.

 

[Krisfield]

TC Electronic WireTap Riff Recorder - Capture ideas instantly when inspiration strikes.

 

[EricssonB]

Now I don’t want to be like “hey use your phone” but one thing I’ve enjoyed is using a decent USB mic into a Lighting adaptor — into my phone. Just another way to look at it. I have a USB AT2020 into an Y adaptor that lets me charge my phone, too.

 

[rudy4444]

I use a looper. I can lay down guitar and bass ideas about 2 seconds after flipping the power strip on.

 

[tothemax]

Have you looked at the TRIO +, I have the 3 button pedal and I use mine all the time. It records your parts and will add drums as well. I tend to start with a guitar rhythm and it stores 5 song parts. Great little tool, with a digital recorder you can get vocals as well.

 

[paulyp]

Thanks will check it out

 

[Cazman]

Try a newer high speed SD card. If you already have, then H4N. That is all.