Field Recorder suggestions

[Mindwarper]

Hi,

I am interested in a field recorder to replace my minidisc. I want drag and drop files and 24/96. I also need replaceable batteries, not a built in rechargeable like the m-audio. My budget is limited, but I will save up for the right piece of equipment. The zoom h2 or h4 are the bottom priced ones. There are a few others like sony, tascam, roland, edirol, and fostex. Anyone have any suggestions? I will use it to record live rock shows and for band rehearsals. So it should be able to deal with high decibel levels.

[lazarus]

Not exactly sure of the model but look into Olympia. They are nice.

[bluesman714]

I have the Sony PCM-D50 & like it a lot....great sound, loads of headroom using mic or line input, fantastic battery life, uses 4 AA batteries which are readily available, comes with 4 gigs of memory built in, usb drag & drop, easy to use, small & portable.....no compromises for me. I would definately buy it again.

on a side note, its also an mp3 player, I personaly don't care, but someone might.

[imgoinmad]

You didn't mention your price range, I use a Marantz PMD-671 and love it. It's easy to use and uses AA batteries (I use the rechargables and have lots of them) it's a super quality field recorder, used by a variety of people at Taperssection.com I use an 8GB compact flash card and can transfer direct via usb or through a card reader...drag and drop just like you want.

[Mindwarper]

That would be the top range, I am hoping to spend less then a grand. It also must be small. Any other suggestions?

[leddy]

Edirol R4 comes in at under $1k. You get 4-tracks which can be a huge benefit over 2. A stereo pair out front plus a direct feed from the board, etc.

Sound quality is very good. Preamps are only a problem with ribbons or some dynamics. An R4 and decent condenser mics can produce an excellent recording.

The built-in mics (and speakers) are useless. No exaggeration, totally useless.

[JEGG]

The Tascam HD-P2 is highly recommended. Flawless. Big sound. For somewhat less, the Fostex FR-2 LE would do you well. The Tascam, with 2500 MAh AA rechargeables will do about 5.5 hours with phantom power. I have two of the Tascam.

The Edirol R4 is being discontinued. In it's place are the R-44 (with improved preamps, evidently) witt flash, not hard drive memory; and the R-4 PRO-which is out of your price range.

The speakers on these units are meant for convenience, not for monitoring. I thought they were a dumb idea until I started using them all of the time! If you're in a different space than the recording, you don't have to stay glued to headphones. Also, if you want to just quickly find points on your file, you don't need to open the whole thing on a computer, nor to you have to put your phones on. Very, very handy. Saves a lot of time and makes things more comfy and convenient.

[climber]

I have an Edirol R09 that I got about 18 months ago. I like it a lot. the built in mics sound fine but if you couple it with an external stereo mic it's incredible. I think that there is a new model that is even better.

[John Willett]

I am going for the Olympus LS-10 for a low cost pocket recorder.

24/96, a solid feel and a metal chassis and body.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by climber

I have an Edirol R09 that I got about 18 months ago. I like it a lot. the built in mics sound fine but if you couple it with an external stereo mic it's incredible. I think that there is a new model that is even better.

The new one is the R-09HR.

[macula]

I would encourage you to take a look at the Korg MR-1 or, if you need phantom inputs and your budget allows it, the MR-1000.

[sonidista]

Originally Posted by leddy

Edirol R4 comes in at under $1k. You get 4-tracks which can be a huge benefit over 2. A stereo pair out front plus a direct feed from the board, etc.

Sound quality is very good. Preamps are only a problem with ribbons or some dynamics. An R4 and decent condenser mics can produce an excellent recording.

The built-in mics (and speakers) are useless. No exaggeration, totally useless.

check out the new R-44, it's smaller and cheaper than the R-4 with the same features. Preamps all right except for very quiet sources. 192/24. 4 channels. Uses SD cards up to 32 gig.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by sonidista

check out the new R-44, it's smaller and cheaper than the R-4 with the same features. Preamps all right except for very quiet sources. 192/24. 4 channels. Uses SD cards up to 32 gig.

The R-44 is quite a bit better than the R-4, I understand. It has the same improved pre-amps as the R-4 Pro.

[Shadow_7]

+1 MR-1000

But not pocket sized by any means. Are you looking just for a rehearsal recorder, or something a little more pro grade?

As much as I may desire something smaller. My Korg MR-1000 gives such great results that I don't know if I could deal with anything less at this point. It certainly beats dragging a laptop and interface around, in addition to mics and mic stand(s). My current rig has everything tied (literally) to a single mic stand. Carry it all in one hand. Not that I'd want to march a parade with it that way.