Handheld Digital recorders

[henryrobinett]

I'm in the market for one of those CHEAP little handheld digital recorders. It doesn't have to be handheld. I just want something smal I can bring to record my live gigs without having to bring my entire mobile rig out. Something I can upload into my DAW. You guys know what I'm talking about? Anything good and inexpensive?

Like this:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/H4/

Any opinions?

[ssaudio]

I bought the very same thing a couple of months ago for much the same reason. It does the job well - the built in mics are OK, but given their positioning are hardly accurate. I usually run it with either a pair of in-ears or an external stereo mic and it does well - it's a brilliant wee box, well worth the money - good in 4-track mode too

[henryrobinett]

That's great. Thanks. Now if I can only find one for $150 I'd be happy. I found one for $239.. Might have to go for that one.

[travisbrown]

Might be more than you want to spend, but I've got an M-Audio Microtrack 24/96. I'm thrilled with it. I've used it for all sorts of field recordings, and carry it around with me all the time to capture ideas and try and get people on tape so I can blackmail them.

[dlmorley]

The Zoom H2 looks like a cool unit

[ssaudio]

Originally Posted by henryrobinett

That's great. Thanks. Now if I can only find one for $150 I'd be happy. I found one for $239.. Might have to go for that one.

I think I paid around £120, so latter sounds about right, but yeah, it would be nice if it was cheaper

[pkautzsch]

H4 is surprisingly good for its money, even with the on-board mics. And REALLY easy to use. One big red button is all you need...we have it in our band's rehearsal space.

[henryrobinett]

Thanks! I just took the plunge and order it from Compuplus. I hope they're reputable. I've never heard of them but they had the best price at $239.

[ssaudio]

I got mine on eBay of some dodgy sounding company in the US (maybe the same one?), but it arrived fairly quickly and was/is fine

I'm sure you won't be disappointed - have fun thumbsup

[Vandergraf]

Just got the Zoom H2 a few weeks ago. Great tool, Very light, compact, and sounds great. Love it!

Van

[fifthcircle]

There was a new Sony recorder announced at AES. Looks pretty cool...

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Broadcastan...pecsheet07.pdf

--Ben

[henryrobinett]

Yeah, that looks great. Thank goodness I already ordered the Zoom H4. Not seeing a price tag on that bad boy I'd assume it's going for more than $239? If so I don't feel so bad.

[fifthcircle]

It isn't expected to ship for another month or so... Posted more as an FYI. It will be more than $200-$300, but not a whole lot. List is expected at $599 which is only $100 more than list on a microtrack. No idea what street will be.

Build quality will be a lot better, too...

--Ben

[RichS]

Originally Posted by fifthcircle

There was a new Sony recorder announced at AES. Looks pretty cool...

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Broadcastan...pecsheet07.pdf

--Ben

Saw it at the show... rep said list price was $599. About 2/3 the size of its bigger brother.

[Robobo1]

So I'm doing the same thing, looking for a cheap hand-held. It's a gift for my radio reporter/producer girlfriend to replace her minidisc recorder. I'm looking for a cheap flash unit that is small and will take an external mic input via 1/4" or XLR. +48V is nice.

Henryrobinett (and others), what is your impression so far of the Zoom H4? Decent for spoken word recordings (using an external mic.... RE50 or Audio Technica 835 shotgun)? I haven't read the manual yet, but it appears that there are only three gain settings... how does that work for you? How is metering?

Anyone have the M-Audio Microtrack II? This one looks interesting as well.

[ShawnF]

Originally Posted by Robobo1

Anyone have the M-Audio Microtrack II? This one looks interesting as well.

I don't believe it's out quite yet. Supposed to have improved internal preamp and true 48v phantom.