best portable recorder

[jafbox]

hello, im looking for some recommendations on what you think the best portable recorder is on the market today.

im looking for something small with built in mics that i can have on me all the time to record sound effects and ambiences.

as far as all in one units, ive only had experience with the edirol with a binaural mic setup and that was pretty good. im gathering the sony pcm d50 is better out of the box. your thoughts are appreciated.

thanks!

[jimlongo]

The Zoom H4 seems pretty popular.
H4

[soundguydave]

Anything that Doug Oade endorses/sells is good with me, he really knows is stuff inside and out.

OADE BROTHERS AUDIO Field Recording Experts, Sony, Tascam, Marantz, Fostex, Compact Flash recorders

[reid]

I've got a PCM-D50 and love it - well built, not too many menus to wade through to set things up, built in mics are not too shabby and handling noise is acceptable. But a few things to consider vs. the 'opposition'......


- if you want to use extra flash memory, it only takes Sony's own sticks, and those things are ridiculously expensive compared to normal SD cards.

- no 48v. The H4 has this.

- no XLR inputs for external mics (the H4 has these)

- if you're recording atmos / wild tracks in the open air then a wind sock is essential; this thing is the ultimate magnet for wind noise. But don't buy the Sony on! Rycote do a cheaper one and the Rode Dead Kitten is also good to go.

Having said that, I love the D50 - it's worth the extra cash over it's obvious opposition in my view.

[jafbox]

thanks so much guys. that is a plus that the h4 has xlr ins and 48v, pretty sure i will do any serious recording with the 722 though. this is for more just whip out and record when something is interesting. i know ben burtt used the pcm d1 for some of the wall-e film source. im guessing the sony built in mics may be better then the zooms?

thanks again!
joseph

[Lipflap]

Cantar-X2.

[aleatoric]

edirol r09-hd gets my vote. zoom if you really want to use external mics (xlr input), though in my experience the internal mics on the edirol r09-hd same pretty damn good.

[wax808]

I have a Fostex MR-8. It has phantom power and a built in condenser mic for $250.

I used it a few weeks ago to record a bunch of music/drum circles at a Barter Faire. The internal mic worked very well, my rigged up AKG Perception 200 sounded awesome for a portable rig.



Keep in mind, I'm no recording engineer, so awesome to me might be crap to someone else.

[kk@jamsync.com]

Originally Posted by jafbox

thanks so much guys. that is a plus that the h4 has xlr ins and 48v, pretty sure i will do any serious recording with the 722 though. this is for more just whip out and record when something is interesting. i know ben burtt used the pcm d1 for some of the wall-e film source. im guessing the sony built in mics may be better then the zooms?

thanks again!
joseph

I have the H4 and recently used it on a project. We popped out the flash card and imported it via a card reader, which worked fine. I would have use the USB connection, but it requires an upgrade for Intel, which I didn't have time to do (still haven't...

I used it with Lectrosonics wireless for dialog via the XLRs and it sounded very decent. I actually liked the D/As in the Zoom better than the ones on my Tascam HDP2. We just used the clapper and lined the Zoom audio up with the camera audio.
What I like about the H4 is its big, fat record button that flashes in record ready and is pretty easy to see even in daylight. It was just great to walk around with a slate and the wireless receivers in a shoulderbag and the H4 in one hand. Now that I have an HPX-170, I can just make sure the file numbers of the video and audio are the same, so matching up takes is really easy. Goodbye tape!

[jafbox]

interesting. one of my clients uses the h4 for field recording in snow and winter conditions and it has held up really well. i bet that big record button comes in handy with gloves on or at night.

found this great site that has sound examples of the different recorders. from what i can tell from these recordings specifically, my top three are:

1. pcm d1 (a little to pricy and big for what im looking for personally)
2. toss up between pcm d50 and marantz (d50 sounds clearer but marantz has more bottom)
3. edirol


Portable Recorder Sound Samples

[philper]

If you are poor the Zoom H2 is pretty good. Not as hifi as the Sony, but not nearly as expensive or attention-attracting. $200.

Philip Perkins

[nikolavm27]

Originally Posted by kk@jamsync.com

I actually liked the D/As in the Zoom better than the ones on my Tascam HDP2. We just used the clapper and lined the Zoom audio up with the camera audio.

Nice to see that people on this forum are not seduced by price tags...
I own Zoom H4 and definitely have to say it wins the value for
money award because of possibility of plugging external mics in to the
unit...
As everything is not perfect you should make an external battery pac
and plug in to power socket...Because it uses 9V adapter when
connected to electricity and only two batteries 1,5V in standalone
mode when using phantom power for mics it literally eats
batteries... So external box for batteries should do the trick...
If you plan on using built in mics I suggest in getting additional
windjammer I got one from Rycote and it does make it better for
external use...

Now a little off topic has anyone used soundman OKM Classic head-microphones and what are your experiences?
I like the idea of being able to record ambiences and atmospheres without people turning and asking questions...But I'm suspicious about the stereo image they provide since it is impossible to hold your head still as dummy...
The manufacturer claims that it can also be used as a clip mic and a boundary mic so again what are your experiences

This is my first post on this forum

Cheers
Nikola Zivojinovic
Belgrade, Serbia

[Radium-Audio]

The Zoom H4 is great.
The set-up menu is relatively simple, and the unit is ideal size and weight for quick, mobile recording.

[PostFade]

The Zoom H2 records really good 'surround' files with it's built in mics. Great for ambiences etc. The files are actually a 'front pair' and a 'rear pair'. They make very good 4.0 files to use in 5.1 mixing. It's mic amps are silent. The problem with all the mini recorders is windnoise outside-I wrap my H2 in a Rycote sock (from the basket on my Senny 416) when needed but a proper fluffy Rycote windshield would be great.

[jafbox]

cool! i didnt know you could record quad with the h2.

im thinking now of getting the h2 as as well as the d50. use the d50 for general effects and BG recording and the h2 specifically for surround ambiences.

the h2 is on sale at sweetwater for 179 im sure ill have to do a bit of mastering to get the quality up to spec but it seems worth it for the price. i gues my bag is going to be a bit heavier now..

[cjguitar]

Check out Amazon for a great price on the Zoom H2 (currently $170 and free shipping).

Amazon Zoom H2

[nemosteve]

Tascam HD-P2 is a great value. 48V, I/P pads, generic CF cards and AA (8 of them) batteries, XLR I/P & firewire to your MAC.

[Arksun]

Does anyone know if the Zoom H4n offers any significant improvement in the sound quality of its internal mics over the H4 version?

Costs about a 100 more, so I'm wondering if thats just for the extra bells n whilstles, or the mics are actually better too.

[space2012]

best?
an SSD laptop with a decent soundcard.

RME hdspe express card + Digi or MultiFAce2
or RME FF400
or Lynx FW Aurora8
or...
etc...

[reid]

Originally Posted by space2012

best?
an SSD laptop with a decent soundcard.

RME hdspe express card + Digi or MultiFAce2
or RME FF400
or Lynx FW Aurora8
or...
etc...

Mmmmm. Let's see you fit that lot in your coat pocket.

[hollywood_steve]

my problem is that all of the small, good quality and moderately priced recorders all seem to have a good chunk of their value in components I don't need. I realize that the 'target market' wants a full service device with two channels of storage, conversion, mic preamps and even microphones. But I wish one of the manufacturers would offer one of these recorders withOUT the mics, mic preamps, or converters - just a pair of AES inputs and two (or ideally, four ch) of storage, with the old school playback controls.

For those of us who already have mics, preamps and even converters, imagine the Sony, Tascam, Korg or (preferably) Sound Devices portable recorders with AES line level inputs and outputs. Nothing else, just record / playback controls. I'd even be happy to pass on the battery power - I don't record in the jungle; anyplace I work has AC handy. (and I'll provide 'conditioning' or UPS if necessary).

It seems like all these $1,000 2ch recorders could cost a LOT less without the mics, preamps, converters, etc. Or imagine the bulletproof chassis, better quality components and assembly, etc. if they still charged $1k for 2ch, but didn't include all that stuff that we already carry with us?

[John Willett]

Small, pocketable and high quality - then the only option seems to be the Sonosax MiniR82.

[Ozpeter]

Ooops, ignore.

[rumleymusic]

Costs about a 100 more, so I'm wondering if thats just for the extra bells n whilstles, or the mics are actually better too.

Their biggest claim for the new h4n is the better quality mics. Though Samson makes some of the worst mics to begin with, so better quality is relative.

On a personal note, I don't like the sound of the H4's built in mics. I much prefer the cleaner sound of the Sony or Tascam miniatures. (just upgraded to the DR-100 from the DR-1, nice little unit)

[Fredo]

We do a good deal of work on the H2 and H4.
I think the sound quality of both is excellent, although there is no comparison with -for example- a Sound Devices MM1 preamp.
There are a few annoying things to mention though ....

-The H4 mic connectors don't have an XLR lock. Means that the plug falls out over time.
-Using the H4 with a phantom powered mic (466) drains the battery within 15 minutes.
-There is no way you can clip the H2 or H4 to your belt or something.
-The H4n operates at DC5V and the H4 at DC9V, which makes it impossible to (easily) power them via a power belt or something.
-The build quality of the H4 is pretty poor. Although it looks robust, it is nothing more than a plastic toy. One of our H4's has felt out of my hands (on a dirt road) and was broken instantly. The connectors on the side (for headphones and the likes) are soldered directly on a small print plate, which makes that the slightest bend (or off-axis push to the connector) causes a short-circuit on that print. Our connectors were ripped out of the print, and really, it wasn't a nasty fall at all. Upon opening the H4 for repair, springs, bolts and parts jumped out from everywhere. Even if we would have attempted to fix the thing on site, it would have been impossible due to the toy-ish and cheap way of assembling.

I have played with one of the newer H4n and this unit is much more robust than it's predecessor. It still had nasty software bugs and the connector problem wasn't solved. We have one on order and we hope that these issues will be solved by then.

Our conclusion is that the H's are GREAT units, and we use them nearly on a daily basis. But if you want to use these extensively, in a professional environment, they simply aren't good enough. Fantastic for the occasional recording, not up to the standards for pro-work.

Best regards
Fredo
Temple Of Tune
Belgium

[Chris T]

I too am trying to choose the right portable digi recorder.

This is what I need it for:

Mainly field recording (nature, animals, people etc).

It needs to be the best possible recording quality (i.e. best mics).
1. 96K,24bit
2. At least 2GB internal mem (+SD addition)

The other MAJOR factor is PORTABILITY. I do a lot of hiking/traveling, and its' VITAL that I can carry a small, lightweight device. If it's a big one I won't use it, and so will be a waste.

SO... I've narrowed it down to:

Yamaha C24
Yamaha CX
Olympus LS11

Does anybody know how the mics compare between the Yamaha and the Olympus?

Also, anyone have an opinion whether the XY mic config of the Olympus and the CX are much better than the regular L/R of the C24?

(the C24 is the lightest/smallest, but only marginally, and if the CX or Olympus has better quality mics I'd rather use those).

thanks

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Chris T

I too am trying to choose the right portable digi recorder.

This is what I need it for:

Mainly field recording (nature, animals, people etc).

It needs to be the best possible recording quality (i.e. best mics).
1. 96K,24bit
2. At least 2GB internal mem (+SD addition)

The other MAJOR factor is PORTABILITY. I do a lot of hiking/traveling, and its' VITAL that I can carry a small, lightweight device. If it's a big one I won't use it, and so will be a waste.

SO... I've narrowed it down to:

Yamaha C24
Yamaha CX
Olympus LS11

Does anybody know how the mics compare between the Yamaha and the Olympus?

Also, anyone have an opinion whether the XY mic config of the Olympus and the CX are much better than the regular L/R of the C24?

(the C24 is the lightest/smallest, but only marginally, and if the CX or Olympus has better quality mics I'd rather use those).

thanks

I think the best of the small recorders is probably the Sony PCM-D50.

For my small recorder I have the Olympus LS-10, the new LS-11 is better. It's small, pocketable and instinctive in use. It's great for carry everywhere use; bit for serious recurring I would go for the Sony D-50.


Posted via the Gearslutz iPhone app

[Chris T]

Thanks John

Yes I've read that the Sony is considered the top of the market protable. However, it's larger size would make it not ideal for me since I will be doing things like hiking and lots of traveling with it. Ideally I'd like to put it in my shirt pocket, which it seems like the Sony is too large for...

Any idea wha tthe quality of the Yamaha CX or C24 is? I.e. how those mics compare to the Olympus LS11?

thanks

[eoats]

Sony 50 sounds great, but the handling noise was just too much for me.

I've been through a couple of Tascams (a DR-01 got drown on a row boat last year). So, sometimes cheaper is better as to replace the 'disposable' recorder is a cost of going out there. (Now if you could only have ever heard the rowing in "The Social Network".)

Got a DR-07 now & if/when I kill it might just get the Zoom H4n.

[Chris T]

Thanks for the tips.

I am still attracted to the Yamaha's though since they seem the lightest and MOST portable.

Anybody know what the mics are like on the Yamaha C24 and CX (and how they compare?).

thanks