Portable recorders

[divine source]

im playing with the idea of getting portable recorder for long time now....

and now,i think the time is coming to pull the trigger and to get one,that i can use what im recording as samples in my tracks.

i sow the m-audio microtrack 2 in good price, and im thinking to get it.
as any one have experience with this one?
how is the mic that come with it? , at the moment i cant afford getting external mic....

and for shore,if some one got other advice\suggestion i will be happy to hear.

[vixapphire]

Get the black Tascam. you can do sound-on-sound overdubbing. Others, not so much. It sounds very good, too. I bought one last year and don't use it as much as I should.

[d1rtynyc]

If you want sheer quality of recording the Korg mr1 1 bit recorder is the best value $229.95:
Korg | MR-1 - 1-Bit Hand-Held Digital Audio Recorder | MR1 | B&H

I was stunned to find out how cheap these have gotten.
I am considering one.

[wax808]

I have a Fostex MR-8 MK2 that I love.

$225 new. Takes batteries and has phantom power, 8 tracks, and the easiest interface you will ever find.

The battery life is amazing. Last year I hooked up a condenser mic to it and toted it around at an event where there were lots of people jamming and playing music. I probably took about 2-3 hours of total samples with the batteries that were in it.

It has a built in condenser mic that sounds pretty good too.

[NWSooner]

I recently bought a portable recorder myself. I decided on the Tascam DR-100.

TASCAM

Has all the features I was looking for including two XLR inputs and phantom power. Should be nice to use my Shure SM81 for sampling sometimes, or use the built-in mics at other times. Plus I like the rechargeable battery, built-in speaker, and 96KHz recording. The only real drawback from what I can see is the size, but if you require XLR inputs that pretty much rules out the smaller devices.

[Derp]

I recently bought a portable recorder but kind of went the other direction for quality: I bought one of those 50's era portable reel-to-reel recorders and modified it so that instead of using the built in microphone and speaker, it's got 1/4" jacks. Sounds super neato, but I never get around to using it because the batteries die so quickly on that thing.

[andrewsc]

Fostex FR2 LE with Radio Control Car battery, lasts a long time (up to 5 hours), good preamps, not the most portable but not the least, a good device.

[Transistor]

I'm very happy with my Edirol R09H, both with the built-in mic(s) and with an AT Pro24 mini-shotgun.

r,
j,

[timmah]

I'm very impressed with my Marantz PMD 620.

internal mics sound excellent and it's great as a 2 track recorder off a desk as well.

[Reptil]

I found out my old (but spotless) Tascam DA-20 DAT machine has a 1 bit AD converter. LOL

I'm considering the MR-1000 somewhere this summer.
It's portable enough for me.

[DSPaudio]

+ 1 for the Korg MR-1 as best value out there.

Well thought out user interface and quality components in the signal path. Hopefully they produce a second generation.

DSD has a noticeable advantage over PCM when reproducing stereo fields and dense
walls of noise.

Drawbacks:

- Battery is embedded (difficult to replace?)
- Old school moving parts Hard Disk
- The DSD workflow, I like it but it's not for everyone

[d1rtynyc]

Originally Posted by DSPaudio

Drawbacks:

- Battery is embedded (difficult to replace?)

Just so you all know there is a rebate that gives you a replacement battery.

[robd]

I've had great luck with my R-09, but if the korg has really gotten that cheap, I would seriously consider that instead. My advice would be to stay far, far, away from anything made by M-audio. Any of the other options mentioned on this thread would have a far better chance of being reliable and trouble-free than the M-audio.

[Geoffrey A]

I've been using a Tascam 4trk, (DP 004). It's been reliable, the built in mics do alright. Sadly you can only use 2 inputs at any one time. I've been using it to capture live material to edit and incorporate into pieces created in my home set-up. It is only 16 bit.

[Selidor]

I've got a Zoom H4 that has worked quite well for me. I think it's definitely worth checking out.

[divine source]

tnx every body for the reply,its really help to see what other slutz using.
most of the recorders that every body suggest sound really interesting, but they cost more then my budget here in euroland....

since my budget is 200 -250 euro (that mean i can full it max to 300....),im looking at the moment on :
1.m-audio microtrack2 - i know m-audio got really bad name when its come to "reliable and trouble-free"...
2.zoom H4
3.zoom H4N - it way behind my budget,but still.....

maybe some one got any experience with these recorders and can share their thoughts?
any other suggestion will be appreciate....

[d1rtynyc]

Originally Posted by divine source

1.m-audio microtrack2 - i know m-audio got really bad name when its come to "reliable and trouble-free"...
2.zoom H4
3.zoom H4N - it way behind my budget,but still.....

maybe some one got any experience with these recorders and can share their thoughts?
any other suggestion will be appreciate....

I have sold hundreds of these recorders listed (it's my job) & have used them all.
Here is my opinions about them:

1.m-audio microtrack2
*STAY AWAY!!* For many reasons, but here are the main ones:
---The internal battery. With other recorders you have AA battery power, this one you have to re-charge after 2-3 hrs of use. When you are out you can always bring extra batteries, with the MT you have to recharge it for an hour or more every time you run out of juice.
---The external T mic. What if it breaks? What if you lose it? Why bother???? This is a huge design flaw IMO.
---1/4 TRS ins. This is just not convenient. To use a mic you have to have a XLR to TRS cable. Kinda sucks.

2.zoom H4
Great little box for the money! The mics sound pretty good. The XLR & 1/4 hybrid connections are a cool plus giving you phantom power for your mics & perfect ins for you instruments. The 4 track feature is cool for on the road recording as well. The only drawbacks in my book is the operation menu is a little clunky for quick use & the headphone output is kinda noisy.

3.zoom H4n
Get this box if you can!!! All the cool features of the H4 plus much more! Better stereo mics & they are adjustable. True 4 track recording, meaning you can use the 2 internal mics on it plus 2 more externals. Better sound. Better menu operation. Better headphone out. Better battery life. And on an on! You get the idea.

Good luck in your choice & let us know how you do!

[Stiff]

Hey,

I've been doing quite a bit of research myself on these lately and I THINK I've decided on picking u one of the Zooms this week. I'll probably get the H2 (not mentioned here, have you checked it out?) or the H4n. There's quite a bit of price difference so if the H4n isn't a big step up I'll settle with the cheaper one.

At first I was pretty set on the H2, because I'd use it only for nature sounds, but the H4n looked like a handy audio interface to keep around so my decision got a little harder!

As I'm in Euroland as yourself I can't get the Korg cheap either, but I still considered it because their 1bit technology really interests me. Ultimately I decided against it.

[divine source]

Originally Posted by d1rtynyc

I have sold hundreds of these recorders listed (it's my job) & have used them all.
Here is my opinions about them:

1.m-audio microtrack2
*STAY AWAY!!* For many reasons, but here are the main ones:
---The internal battery. With other recorders you have AA battery power, this one you have to re-charge after 2-3 hrs of use. When you are out you can always bring extra batteries, with the MT you have to recharge it for an hour or more every time you run out of juice.
---The external T mic. What if it breaks? What if you lose it? Why bother???? This is a huge design flaw IMO.
---1/4 TRS ins. This is just not convenient. To use a mic you have to have a XLR to TRS cable. Kinda sucks.

2.zoom H4
Great little box for the money! The mics sound pretty good. The XLR & 1/4 hybrid connections are a cool plus giving you phantom power for your mics & perfect ins for you instruments. The 4 track feature is cool for on the road recording as well. The only drawbacks in my book is the operation menu is a little clunky for quick use & the headphone output is kinda noisy.

3.zoom H4n
Get this box if you can!!! All the cool features of the H4 plus much more! Better stereo mics & they are adjustable. True 4 track recording, meaning you can use the 2 internal mics on it plus 2 more externals. Better sound. Better menu operation. Better headphone out. Better battery life. And on an on! You get the idea.

Good luck in your choice & let us know how you do!

tnx for your help \ review,since i can't check them before i'll buy one, any info helping me


can you give more detail about the m-audio microtrack 2 problems (and for the others as well...)? as it look like at the moment the biggest minus is that i can't use AA batteries . about the T mic - some how i like the idea that i can use it with the external cable that it come with,since i can't afford external mic any time soon...
what i like about the zoom H4,is that it coming with XLR & 1/4 combo - nice for the future, and the AA batteries. i read many negative thing about the operation menu,is it so bad?
well,since money its my major problem,im not shore i can full the trigger for the zoom H4n.....

[divine source]

hey stiff,
i looked on the zoom H2,but the biggest minus for me that its coming with out XLR or 1/4 (thinking on the future)..... this is way im looking at the H4 \ H4n \ microtrack 2 .
the korg cost whey,whey too much.... but the 1bit really interesting.

let us know what was your choice.

[d1rtynyc]

Originally Posted by divine source

can you give more detail about the m-audio microtrack 2 problems (and for the others as well...)? as it look like at the moment the biggest minus is that i can't use AA batteries . about the T mic - some how i like the idea that i can use it with the external cable that it come with,since i can't afford external mic any time soon..

I just find the battery issue a major concern for me. If I was on the street and ran out of batteries I'd be pissed. With any other recorder I could just find any store with batteries.
Extending the mics cable is a pretty cool idea, but the thing I'd be concerned with is the added noise & possible loss of power to the mic. It may not be an issue, but it does concern me.

Also, with the Zoom recorders they both have 1/4 20 threads so you can put them on a tripod or mic stand and position them anywhere you need.
Check out something like this for a really cool accessory:
Joby | Gorillapod Flexible Mini-Tripod f/ Point & | GP1-0REN
With these you can wrap it around a tree branch or street sign or whatever.
To mount it a mic stand you will need a 1/4 20 to 3/8" or 5/8" thread adapter. (sorry, I am not sure of metric details)

Originally Posted by divine source

i read many negative thing about the operation menu,is it so bad?

It's not that bad, but a bit clunky.
I find most people who are complaining about the menu really have not read the manual or spent enough time getting to know it. It is very straight forward to me.

[Ben F]

Zoom H4n is really good value, almost has the best of everything.

[boojum]

Olympus LS-10

[Ozpeter]

Some reading and listening re the Zoom H2 -

Zoom Gear & Home Recording Forum • View topic - How to get the best from the Zoom H2 (Useful advice and tips)

http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/9/...20net%20MS.mp3 (Outdoor park effects)

http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/9/22/1451533/Glad.mp3 (Music)

[divine source]

Originally Posted by Ben F

Zoom H4n is really good value, almost has the best of everything.

its look really good.... but no money....

[divine source]

can some one tell me way my thread move form "Electronic Music Instruments & Electronic Music Production" to this one????

i was searching today for my thread to see if there is some new info, and i did't find it ,and now,after i login i sow that it move to here(when i search my post...) ?????

i start this thread 4 weeks ago,and until today \ yesterday it was all the time in "Electronic Music Instruments & Electronic Music Production".....
can some one here tell me way my thread move suddenly to this forum ?????

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by boojum

Olympus LS-10

+1 thumbsup

Excellent machine - extremely well made, very easy to use and pocketable.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by divine source

can some one tell me way my thread move form "Electronic Music Instruments & Electronic Music Production" to this one????

Probably because it was more suited to this forum where you will bet answers from people who have the knowledge.

For instance - I never look at the "Electronic Music Instruments & Electronic Music Production" forum as I have no interest there - but I *do* lots of location recording and know about portable recorders.

[divine source]

Originally Posted by John Willett

Probably because it was more suited to this forum where you will bet answers from people who have the knowledge.

For instance - I never look at the "Electronic Music Instruments & Electronic Music Production" forum as I have no interest there - but I *do* lots of location recording and know about portable recorders.

tnx for your quick answer
now,since you have more knowledge in this subject,maybe you can help me as well?
which recorder should i get - zoom H4 or m-audio microtrack 2 (no money for zoomH4n... )?
im looking to have a recorder that i can go out and rec noises - ambient - nature - sounds.... and after to use it as a samples with EXS24 or kontakt for my tracks.

for the start i will use the mic that coming with the recorder,but in one point i will get external mic.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by divine source

tnx for your quick answer
now,since you have more knowledge in this subject,maybe you can help me as well?
which recorder should i get - zoom H4 or m-audio microtrack 2 (no money for zoomH4n... )?
im looking to have a recorder that i can go out and rec noises - ambient - nature - sounds.... and after to use it as a samples with EXS24 or kontakt for my tracks.

for the start i will use the mic that coming with the recorder,but in one point i will get external mic.

I did quite a bit of research before getting the one that I did.

The original Zoom H4 did seem to have low-level noise issues on anything but 24/96 recording (hopefully corrected in the new one).

There were a few issued with the original Microtrack as well, hopefully the Mk.II is better.

In the end I found the Olympus LS-10 to be the best - it is easily and comfortably hand-held, just the "feel" is superb and the build quality is excellent. Batteries last ages (10+h on two AA). Using it is very easy and instinctive. Internal mics are pretty good.

I have used mine for both wildlife and music recording.

I am *very* fussy - my main portable is the £5,000 Nagra VI - the LS-10 was bought as a go-anywhere pocketable recorder that is with me everywhere I go.

It is inexpensive and has not disappointed.

The only others on my short-list were the Edirol R-09HR and Sony PCM-D50 (but the Sony was larger and more expensive).

I would certainly go for the LS-10 over the H4 or Microtrack II.

Looking on the net, I see the Microtrack at about £150, the H4 at around £175 and the LS-10 at around £220.

If you really can't stretch to the LS-10 (which I think you will find it well worth it once you have had it in your hand), then I think I would go for the Microtrack II over the original H4.

I hope this helps.