simple recording?

[songwriter21]

What do you guys recommend for a device to simply record ideas? I have a downstairs neighbor, so blasting my bass and mic'ing it at night isn't the best option. Btw, I don't have a computer, only an Android phone. A stand-alone device is cool, too.

??

 

[equill]

A voice-recorder app on your phone really is the simplest.
Next simplest would be a portable recorder, like the Zoom H1n.

 

[DirtDog]

One of the Zoom or Tascam handheld recorders would be good. You can use built in mics or plug in direct. Not expensive for the simpler units in the line.

Edit: what @equill said!

 

[songwriter21]

Went with this:

TASCAM GB-10 Guitar and Bass Trainer - Recorder

If I don't like it, I'll just send it back. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[ahbradot]

1000's of great song ideas were recorded on one of these

 

[And I]

A used Tascam GTR-1 would definitely do this. Their newer handheld recorders lack a 1/4" instrument input, if i'm not mistaken.

 

[Basslice]

I second the tape recorder, but since getting cassettes and keeping them organized is a pain, and it is 2021 after all, the way I would go is a Zoom H2n ($170)

I have the older H2 and it is about as simple as it gets. You can record anywhere and the sound is decent.

As noted by @equill , there is nothing wrong with the voice recorder on any Android or iPhone. I use it often when I wake up with a melody in my head and have too busy a schedule to go flying down to the studio. I hum a few bars and listen again later. Some of my best musical ideas hit me when I am in a sleep haze and usually forgotten by the time I get vertical.

 

[Basslice]

Went with this:

TASCAM GB-10 Guitar and Bass Trainer - Recorder

If I don't like it, I'll just send it back. Thanks for the suggestions.

Tascam also makes great stuff. I don't own, but they have been in the business forever.

You can get what looks to be a decent unit for $100. Tascam DR05x.

 

[songwriter21]

Tascam also makes great stuff. I don't own, but they have been in the business forever.

You can get what looks to be a decent unit for $100. Tascam DR05x.

I record basically everything with my phone. Just needed a plug-in for my bass when inspiration and creativity strike.

 

[seamonkey]

Works with Android:
IK Multimedia - iRig UA

 

[Nuage420]

Zoom H5 Handy Recorder with Interchangeable Microphone System (Demo Unit) | ProSoundGear

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

These are really flexible and great fun to work with:

Tascam DP-006

Spend some time with the manual, and record a couple of things to get to know how to use it, and it will be a nice tool.

 

[Bassic_desires]

+1 for the Zoom H5. I use one to record my wife's band and it is very impressive.

 

[pbass2]

I have a Zoom H4n Pro--it is crazy handy and versatile. Mostly I just use it as you describe - grabbing ideas, whether on bass, acoustic guitar, piano, pots and pans, whatever. But I've also used it as an audio interface into Logic and Max/MSP. And, I've used it to record stereo acoustic piano with very good results. I keep in my bag when traveling to grab found and location sounds too for my sound design work. Can be a tad fidgety as far as the menus, etc, but not a deal-breaker. Highly recommended: Zoom H4n Pro Handy Recorder - Black

 

[Nickweissmusic]

this thing is pricey, but if you want to get it done right the first time, I can highly recommend it. It has a recorder built in, and there's a promotion to get free XY mics with it currently. It's also a fully functional phone or computer DAW interface, so you can record and practice with effects, backing tracks, what have you.

MixerFace - CEntrance

 

[2saddleslab]

Bass + iRig2 + Music Memo = easy to record.

 

[mcnach]

What do you guys recommend for a device to simply record ideas? I have a downstairs neighbor, so blasting my bass and mic'ing it at night isn't the best option. Btw, I don't have a computer, only an Android phone. A stand-alone device is cool, too.

??

I've used my phone for recording, with an app called n-track and a simple USB interface (a Focusrite Solo; you can do without the interface but it does not sound as good and latency is harder to deal with).
I also used a tablet with better results (the phone is just too small and it's hard to hit the right buttons at times).

But I much prefer using a Zoom R16. It's not that big, it records up to 8 tracks simultaneously, playback 16. It has built-in amp simulators and FX if you want them, metronome, tuner, phantom power if you use condenser mics... it's basic but well provided. It can run on batteries too and it has a pair of decent built-in mics too, so it's a great portable solution. You don't need a computer at all with it. But if/when you do, it's also easy to shuttle tracks back and forth via USB, and you can use it as a hardware controller for your computer recording software... in fact it can be your USB interface.
Yeah, I'm a fan
It can do a lot, but if you just want the basic functions of a multitrack recorder, it's so simple that I didn't even read the manual before I started using it.

The R16 is what I have. I see they make an R8 too which is cheaper and records on 2 tracks simultaneously but otherwise functionally is very similar.

 

[mcnach]

I second the tape recorder, but since getting cassettes and keeping them organized is a pain, and it is 2021 after all, the way I would go is a Zoom H2n ($170)

I have the older H2 and it is about as simple as it gets. You can record anywhere and the sound is decent.

As noted by @equill , there is nothing wrong with the voice recorder on any Android or iPhone. I use it often when I wake up with a melody in my head and have too busy a schedule to go flying down to the studio. I hum a few bars and listen again later. Some of my best musical ideas hit me when I am in a sleep haze and usually forgotten by the time I get vertical.

Yup, I bought an H2 when they first came out, many years ago, and it's been a constant companion: record band practices when we're writing new stuff, riff ideas I get at home... anything. One of the best musical purchases I ever made. I use the basic recording app on the phone too at times. For capturing quick ideas they're really good.

 

[tothemax]

It will be interesting to get your feedback on the Tascam GB-10 unit, pretty cool that it has effects and all built in. I have a DR05 that I've been using for a few years now, works great. The one drawback I find with the Tascam units, even the larger mixers with built in digital recording is that the LED screen is very small. So doing any complex tasks can be a lot of steps - that's where a computer and some type of DAW make a difference. You said you normally use your phone so it may translate better for you.

I use the DR05 like an old cassette boom box recorder from "back in the day", just set it and forget it to record band practices. I do a quick clean up of the mix with Audacity and export to MP3 to share with the band on a Google drive share.

Good luck with your project

 

[skycruiser]

+1 for the Zoom H5. I use one to record my wife's band and it is very impressive.

Thanks for this suggestion @Peter Torning . I'm using a usb pc interface but sometimes I would like to directly record without messing with the laptop. With this I can record the stereo drum track out of my drum machine and then put bass parts over it. Then I think bring them in for mixing in DAW if needed. I may put this on the wish list!