Ultra-portable recorders (for sound effects gathering)

[Mr. Quimper]

I'm talking about models like the Sony PCM D50, Zoom-H4, Martinez PM660, etc. Any opinions on these for sound effects gathering?

I'm not looking for a heavy duty field production recorder, just something I can keep in my pocket for those occasional sounds that you'll hear throughout the day that you wish you had recorded. So, XLR inputs aren't important but high quality onboard mics are. I'm obviously not going to be lugging around a Schoeps kit while I'm walking to the grocery store.

Basically I'm looking to see if anyone has any experience with the models I listed above or anything similar. The Sony looks nice but I'm somewhat cautious of permanent internal storage -- SD cards are much easier to replace than a failed drive. That said, from what I've read it gets better reviews sound-quality wise against the competition. Anyone heard the Martinez? Another model I haven't mentioned?

Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated.

[tsvisser]

if your talking about an all-in-one unit, the Sony PCM-D50 is probably the best at a reasonable budget.

[Jesse Peterson]

I've had an H4 for a couple years now. Take it everywhere I go, travel etc. Nice stereo image.. 24/96 wav recording.. 3 way input level switch. Two XLR/TRS inputs if you want to use a different mic. ( no phantom ) mini plug line in. works with a 2gb card, maybe more havn't tried.. battery life is so/so depending on what kind of headphones you're making it push, always have extra AA batteries on hand when I take it out. built in effects (never used). adapter to be able to mount on any camera tripod.

Wind screen is a lacking.. I made a little pocket for it out of a folded 12x12 piece of auralex and duct tape.. stood up to 30mph gusts on the beach.

It is also sensitive to picking up noise from handling it.. so hold it still and don't move your hand while you're shooting

plugs into your computer via usb and you can just drag n drop files. it can also be usb powerd.. but if there are batteries in the unit, they will drain anyway.

Airport security will usually stop you because they think it's a stun gun


I havn't used the sony one.. but the 5 sec pre record feature is kinda cool..
basically you are in record, but paused, then suddenly you hear something you wish you had, hit record and it starts the wav 5 seconds earlier and you get your sound.. if you're fast enough.

[Fredo]

Happy user of an H2 and H4 ....

[nucelar]

Originally Posted by Mr. Quimper

I'm talking about models like the Sony PCM D50, Zoom-H4, Martinez PM660, etc. Any opinions on these for sound effects gathering?

Never heard of Martinez, Google neiter. Where did you get that brand, model? Aby web info?
Thx

[K Bartos]

I'd guess it's a typo, he probably means Marantz PMD660.
Here's a picture of it.

[nucelar]

Originally Posted by K Bartos

I'd guess it's a typo, he probably means Marantz PMD660.
Here's a picture of it.

Oh,I see... probably some spell checker playing tricks on OP!

[marty lester]

Originally Posted by Mr. Quimper

I'm talking about models like the Sony PCM D50, Zoom-H4, Martinez PM660, etc. Any opinions on these for sound effects gathering?

I'm not looking for a heavy duty field production recorder, just something I can keep in my pocket for those occasional sounds that you'll hear throughout the day that you wish you had recorded. So, XLR inputs aren't important but high quality onboard mics are. I'm obviously not going to be lugging around a Schoeps kit while I'm walking to the grocery store.
Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated.

i want to take a serious look at the Olympus LS-10

LS-10

read a decent review of it somewhere...and from what i know about their
better cameras, Olympus seems to know what they're doing.

marty.

[tsvisser]

The Martinez units are designed for journalists to record dialogue... if your using the built in mics. The Sony has respectable sonic performance and is passable for acoustic instruments or fx. The Martinez units do have the advantage in that you can plug in external mics into them, but at that point, it is no longer an all in one box and it is not quite as small as the Sony and Zooms.

Nagra made a small recorder that had a built in mic, but also came with the option to purchase a higher quality screw on mic. Then there was another accessory that allowed a Y cable to two phantom powered XLR cables, where you could use your Schoeps mics. Preamps didn't match their shoulder carried units, but were probably on a level above all the offerings mentioned. Expensive though...

[Bill Mellow]

Originally Posted by Jesse Peterson

Wind screen is a lacking.. I made a little pocket for it out of a folded 12x12 piece of auralex and duct tape.. stood up to 30mph gusts on the beach.

I would love to see a picture of this, as I have really struggled with wind noise using my H4. I've been hoping that someone would come up with an after market wind sock for it.

[jahtao]

Have an Edirol R-09 which i never use. I recorded some park atmos: birds, dogs, traffics, wind etc - not that quiet really - and i found the hiss to be bothersome. Haven't touched it since, but looking forward to doing a series of london pub ambience recordings for which it should be ok.

[Mr. Quimper]

Yeah, sorry, I meant Marant, not Martinez. :p

So far it looks like the Sony might be the best bet after all. It has a windscreen option for one.

Thanks for the replies so far.

[Mr. Quimper]

Yeah, sorry, I meant Marantz, not Martinez. :p

So far it looks like the Sony might be the best bet after all. It has a windscreen option for one. I'll have to look at the Olympus, though I'm somewhat dubious of a camera manufacturer's initial foray into audio, but who knows.

Thanks for the replies so far.

[PostFade]

The Zoom H2 is brilliant. Quiet mic amps and it's the only one that records in surround-2 pairs of wav or even mp3 files, front and back. So I'm building up a libray of 4.0 FX for surround mixes.
A better windsock does have to be used for anything other than a pretty still day. I plonk a Rycote shaggy windjammer over it but it would be great to have a proper Rycote designed for it.
I have 4Gb Sd card in it so it'll record for hours.

[philper]

H2 has been great for me as a "grab" recorder. No reason to work it harder than 16/48 given its limited quality mic pres and convertors, but within those limits sounds good and very handy. Well thought out interface, cheap.

Philip Perkins

[Boussani]

I've been checking out some of the models mentioned here...

It kinda seems like the H2 is a really cool little one...
Even cooler than the H4..?

Do you, H2 users, agree?


Edit:
Just found this video-
YouTube - Zoom H2, Marantz PMD 620, Sony PCM D50: Inside Vs. Out

I love GearWire

[andybrannan]

Hi i have recently switched from my Edirol R-09 to my new digital recorder the sony PCM-D50.Im very pleased with the results so far from the sony i use my recoeder everyday and just like you i have it hand for when i want to recorded some feild recordings .The mics are above the average and the stereo feild is good.I love the fact that you can recored at 96k which is great for recording sfx so you can pitch the sound down and some wonderfull stuff out of it .I get great battery life out of it and the transfering the files to ya computer is a breeze just as the Edirol was .The Unit itself is very steardy and has a bit of wait to it .i wish is was a litle bit smaller though .all in all im very very pleased with the Sony PCM-50 .good value and i will be using this for a long time to come...BUY ONE...

[dlmorley]

I just got the new Edirol R-09HR which sounds excellent to these ears.
Has a built in speaker for checking what you have captured, can record on large cards (I'm using a 4gb) Does 96/24 and is quiet. No annoying hiss. Nice display too.
All in all excellent.

[philper]

Originally Posted by Boussani

I've been checking out some of the models mentioned here...

It kinda seems like the H2 is a really cool little one...
Even cooler than the H4..?

Do you, H2 users, agree?


Edit:
Just found this video-
YouTube - Zoom H2, Marantz PMD 620, Sony PCM D50: Inside Vs. Out

I love GearWire

I don't about cooler, but the H2 is the cheapest of the bunch, and much smaller than the H4, though not as small as the R09. None of these recorders, with the possible exception of the Sony (which is much more expensive) are really hi-fi by today's standards--but the convenience and "quick-draw" aspects of them totally rock. In other words, if I KNOW I'm going out to record something I'd rather use my Sound Devices set-up, but I can put the H2 in my pocket and go about my business and be ready if something pops up by chance that I want to grab.

Philip Perkins