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Tech: recording devices?
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Subject: Tech: recording devices? From: Susan A-R Date: 17 May 07 - 04:29 PM What do people recommend for recording devices. My priorities are portability and quality. I don't want to spend a mint, but I'm a fiddler and some of the inexpensive quipment out there makes even a reasonable player sound unbearable. I'd love to be able to carry it to sessions easily, and to transfer the material to my computer to pop onto a cd to share or learn from. Any thoughts. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: nickp Date: 17 May 07 - 04:35 PM If you can afford it go for an Edirol R-09 - mentioned in a few threads. It's the way to go. Nick |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: treewind Date: 17 May 07 - 04:46 PM Look at the new Zoom H2 just out, similar but at a very competitive price. If I didn't already have the Edirol R-09, the Zoom might well be what I'd get now. Anahata |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: Saro Date: 17 May 07 - 04:58 PM I have an Edirol, and it is brilliant - I recently recoded a workshop with a room full of people (about 100) and with the recorder on the floor in one corner it still somehow managed to pick up everything I needed! Fantastic. Saro |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: Sttaw Legend Date: 17 May 07 - 07:47 PM Edirol will do the job and you can edit with free Audacity software |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: bobad Date: 17 May 07 - 08:01 PM If you have an IPod, you may find this of interest. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: Declan Date: 17 May 07 - 08:01 PM Another vote for the Edirol R-09. It doesn't come that cheap but it is self contained and the results are excellent. I tried other solutions, documented in other threads, which worked quite well but involved a fair amount of setting up. With a card and batteries inserted into the Edirol in advance it is litterally a case of pointing the built in Mics in the general direction of what you want to record, two clicks and you're recording. There are lots of options and settings, but these are extra enhancements. Although worth knowing about and considering, basic recording can be accomplished very quickly and easily. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: Steve Shaw Date: 17 May 07 - 08:31 PM Whilst not wishing to sound ludicrously old-fashioned, I'm very happy with my little minidisc recorder. It's a Hi-MD device which means I can use 1GB discs and record to CD quality, though I can opt to record for longer at slightly lower quality. I can get eight hours of recording at pretty good quality on a single disc. Of course, that's all very well but everything depends on mic quality and placement. It's a much cheaper option than that Edirol but you do need to buy a mic (a super MD mic that does a great job can be £30 or less). It's easy to transfer recordings to a computer and make CDs out of them, even for a dimwit like me. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: GUEST Date: 17 May 07 - 08:50 PM The MS/Netscape/Mozilla/ "WARS....appear to have begun again.
If I were "placing a bet" on the "wheel of fortune"....MS (will win out - they have the 'clout' (no reference to cream.)
Unfortunately, there are better systems.
Regarding RECORDING - All work well - it is the "after broadcast" tweak that renders a good (or gooK) MP3/WAV.
Some AMAZING omni directonal radio microphones are being offered in the States for approx 300.00 /US with the ability to split into eight tracks.
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: RTim Date: 17 May 07 - 11:08 PM If you have a new 2006/7 iPod you may also be interested in the "iTalk" - which is the microphone that can be added to you iPod. see - http://www.griffintechnology.com/support/italkpro/ When I have more time tomorrow, I will give advice on using the same. Tim Radford |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 17 May 07 - 11:20 PM Bugger - large post lost - no error. Didnt keep a copy of it - so I am not going to retype - no model numbers advertised BIG W There are 2 types cheap here at moment "Philips MP3 player" "Sandisk 512Mb player" - also 1Gb 2Gb. (SDMX3-512 is quoted but may just local retailer no) any comments? |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: GUEST,Russ Date: 18 May 07 - 08:59 AM I use an Archos recorder with a 20GB hard drive. Records in WAV format. USB Port. Built in mic. Been using it for about a year. Happy so far. Russ (Permanent GUEST) |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: Grimmy Date: 18 May 07 - 09:11 AM Sorry guys, but the Zoom H4 blasts everything else out of the water:
ALL THIS AND IT'S STILL CHEAPER THAN THE EDIROL! |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: MMario Date: 18 May 07 - 09:18 AM How does the H4 compare with the H2 for quality of sounds recorded? Is it worth getting the extra bells and whistles? Or does the H2 provide the same quality? anyone know? |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: mrmoe Date: 18 May 07 - 09:54 AM I use a Tascam dp01-fx cd.....it has a 40 gig hard drive and 8 tracks.....the real beauty of it is that it has very analog-like operation.....you know, sliding pots, pan, eq, etc.....just like an old analog mixing board....and it burns cd's |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: EBarnacle Date: 18 May 07 - 10:16 AM Sometimes the old technology is still good. Go on EBay and get a Sony Walkman Pro casette recorder. It will interface with your computer at the microphone input [assuming you have an a/d sound board built in] and gives really good quality recording. You will probably have to buy a microphone for it but it is still a good low budget way to go. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 18 May 07 - 10:25 AM Well I got the Sabdisk 2Gb - got it home - dead as a doornail - goes back tomorrow morning.... A friend and I bough a pair of 2Gb USB sticks a while ago - one went dead on first write - didn't even finish writeing teh files correctly. 1 dead out of 3 then... :-) |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: GUEST,Scoville Date: 18 May 07 - 10:40 AM I'm still getting the hang of the Boss MicroBR but so far, so good. The sound quality is great and it hasn't been as hard to use as I feared (I am techno-challenged). |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: treewind Date: 18 May 07 - 10:45 AM The Sony Walkman pro was a remarkable achievement in its time, but if you don't mind old technology, a minidisc will outperform a Sony Walkman pro. Especially a used one - cassette performance depends so critically on mechanical parts which wear out. I wouldn't expect the Zoom H2 to be much worse than the H4 in quality. It doesn't have 4 channels, that's the main difference. If you are using the internal mics, that's a compromise in sound quality anyway - they're all pretty good and if you want better sound you need better mics. The Zoom H4's mics are no more "studio quality" than any of the others and the Edirol has two mics too! Anahata |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: treewind Date: 18 May 07 - 10:52 AM Oh yes: the Sandisk player and anything else that advertises "voice recording" - you have to do some very careful research into the recording method that these devices use. Some offer very low quality recording suitable for voice only (think telephone answering machine). If it says something like ADPCM, forget it. In fact if it says voice recording, probably forget it. iRiver used to do a nice hard disk recorder but you can't get it any more. And this: "Some AMAZING omni directonal radio microphones are being offered in the States for approx 300.00 /US with the ability to split into eight tracks." I don't know what you are talking about, and I don't think you do either. Anahata |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: RTim Date: 18 May 07 - 11:09 AM The iTalk I use with my iPod GB30 is the iTalk Pro and plugs into the base of the iPod. See my earlier posting on this subject. You can also plug in a normal stereo microphone into the iTalk, which I recommend. The recordings are written to your iPod as "Extras:Voices Memos" and are down loaded to iTunes as Wav files. And Yes they can then be written to CD with no problem. Whenever you plug your iTalk into the iPod it sets the Recording Level to "Automatic", but this can be adjusted to "High or Low Gain" - and I recommend you do this. If you use "Automatic" when you sing or play, you can get "pops" in the sound as the device switches between high or low gain. If you set the gain, you get NO popping. In my experience when using the additional stereo microphone there can be sound distortion with High Gain - if you are too close to the microphone. With Low Gain, this distortion goes away, but the sound is at a quite low level, ie. quieter. The results are good enough for recording songs to learn, but thus far I ahve not obtained the quality I used to get with my old Mini-disk machine. Tim Radford |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: Jim Lad Date: 18 May 07 - 11:46 AM I'd have to go with Treewind on this one although I'm not exactly sure what Susan wants. Portability & Quality are more of a compromise than a partnership. If it's something to share with friends and to use as a learning tool then any of the small devices will do although $400 is a bit steep for that. Just resist the temptation to go any farther with those tracks. As for quality recording; That begins with the room, the microphones, the operator and then the rest of the set up. I think she's probably looking for something a little less expensive than some of these fine suggestions. Good Morning All! from the sunny Highlands. Jim |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: GUEST,petr Date: 18 May 07 - 01:27 PM We did splurge and get the Edirol r09 and love it.. but before, I used to use and Iriver790fp flashplayer - until that conked out.. it did record at quite good quality (better with an external stereo mike) strictly speaking though it wasnt all that cheap, about $150 & 100 for the external mic (Canadian).. Later when i looked at replacing the Iriver - they went and changed it so that you could no longer switch the line-in recording to external mic and you could only use the builtin mic - which made the edirol a much better option. I do like the fact that with the edirol you can simply replace the sd card when its full. As well as the AA batteries.. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: ThreeSheds Date: 18 May 07 - 01:36 PM Theres a rave review in Acoustic Guitar magazine for the Belkin Tune Talk that fits on to an iPod it seems good value $39 in the states less good value here as the price is guess what Yes£39 |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: M.Ted Date: 18 May 07 - 04:10 PM I have the Edirol, it is very good. The one thing I regret not having is multitracking capability--that would be fun--even still, with miniature devices, simplicity is critical, and my need is for good quality live recordings--at this size, anything that you don't use gets in the way. As to price--I have the somewhat controversial feeling that if it is worth recording something, then it is worth recording it well. You can find the Edirol(and the others, as well) for considerably less than list, if you look. As per the walkman pro, I have one, it was great in its time, but it is a Kluge compared to the Edirol--I don't need to worry about tapes, time, or rewinding. I can keep it in my jacket pocket and forget it til I need it. I'd thought about getting an iPod mike, but most of them don't render the quality that you need for music, a limit that Apple for some reason encourages--I understand that there is a way to work around it but, given that an iPod alone costs what some of these other devices do, there doesn't seem like there is much point to it. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: treewind Date: 19 May 07 - 04:07 AM I don't get the point of multitracking with a pocket sized device. An Edirol R-09 can be placed on a table and get a stereo recording; to make a multitrack recording you need mics on stands and cables. For all the equipment you need you might as well get a bigger recording device that doesn't compromise usability for size. Anahata |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: Backwoodsman Date: 19 May 07 - 04:39 AM SusanA-R wasn't really very specific about what she wants to do with a recorder. If it's just 'stick it on a table in the pub and record what's going on', then a lot of stuff works OK - my iRiver MP3 player/recorder gets quite acceptable results with a little external mic., as does my Sony minidisc recorder. But it's not the quality you'd want for putting out on a CD of course. If she wants to record at decent quality (16-bit) using several tracks and condenser mics., but remain portable, then a Tascam DP-01FX Porta-studio might do well, 40Gb hard-drive, 8 tracks (2 tracks simultaneous recording), built-in effects, easy to use and everything in one box. Or something like a Zoom, using a flash card or plugged to a laptop. Alternatively for 24-bit quality, an MBox could be a good bet, with the supplied Protools LE for editing, and using a laptop for portability. But, as someone else said, with all of these you're into the territory of seperate mics., stands, cables, phantom power etc. All depends how tecknickal you want to get, I suppose! :-) |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: M.Ted Date: 19 May 07 - 10:58 PM Susan actually was pretty clear--she wanted something small with good recording quality, that she could pop out to record live fiddle music for later listening, learning, and sharing. The tascam portastudios are too big for this sort of thing-- As per the multi-track, Anahata--the palm studios, with all the effects and midi stuff, have generally been intended for electric guitars, which generally can just plug in-- |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Date: 24 May 07 - 12:52 PM Hi, I have owned MiniDisc for a number of years. Last year, as my birthday present to myself, I got the Edirol R09. I'd drooled over the R01, but I not into the Compact Flash as I use SD for my camera. The Edirol is fast and easy to use. The red light when recording or in pause is a little bright, as is the screen. I have seen the Zoom, H4 which looks excellent. A friend owns one and I may ask for a demo sometime. The R09 does everything asked for of it, just as Susan A-R wants. The microphones are sensitive, with two settings, low and high sensitivity. I've recorded sessions, workshops, meetings (for minutes) and actual performances off-stage (with permission) to learn lyrics from. All in all, it's wonderful and easy to use. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: treewind Date: 24 May 07 - 01:01 PM I downloaded and installed a firmware upgrade for the Edirol R-09 which gives you the option of making the red light go off a few seconds after you've started recording. You can also make the display go dim (not off) after the same period of time. The upgrade's useful for other reasons: fixes some obscure bug in the file system and... I forget... hang on... Here it is Anahata |
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Subject: RE: Tech: recording devices? From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Date: 24 May 07 - 01:09 PM Haven't checked their site for a couple of months! Thanks! |
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