high quality portable recorder..?

h4nc0 · 18th September 2005

I've been trying to find a portable recorder for recording samples and fx. People suggested Sony DAT (TCD-D8) recorder but it is apparently discontinued. Are there alternatives that are still on sale these days? How are the Sony hi-MD recorder? Do they come with stereo condenser mic's?

Thanks!

Tim Halligan · 19th September 2005

The Sony TCD-8 is a good little unit, but the pre's are nothing to write home about...especially when trying to record really quiet sounds.

However if you are leaning towards that end of the market, Marantz make a stereo recorder that records to flash cards that may fit the bill.

If you want slightly higher-ended gear, then the Fostex FR-122 (I think) is also a stereo unit that can sample at up to 192 khz if necessary...

Neither if these come with microphones - like the DAT - giving you more choice.headaches in that regard.

There are other devices out there that may fit the bill for you...

Cheers,
Tim

dkatz42 · 19th September 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by h4nc0

I've been trying to find a portable recorder for recording samples and fx. People suggested Sony DAT (TCD-D8) recorder but it is apparently discontinued. Are there alternatives that are still on sale these days? How are the Sony hi-MD recorder? Do they come with stereo condenser mic's?

Thanks!

It's probably out of your price range (street price about $2400) but the Sound Devices 722 is quite wonderful. I own the big brother, the 744t, and it's awesome. Records to CF cards or internal hard drive, up to 24/192, very nice pres, and provides phantom power (useful for those stereo condenser mics.)

I've used the 744t in combo with the Rode NT4 (about $400) and was very happy with the results.

Not sure if the current generation of MD boxes will do uncompressed recording, but the old ones used lossy compression techniques.

h4nc0 · 19th September 2005

Thanks!

20th September 2005

Second vote for the Sound Devices 7 series. 744T is fabulous!

But check this out: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MZM100/

<L>

boomed · 20th September 2005

Don't know that much about them but you might check out:

http://www.edirol.com/products/info/r4.html

Adebar · 9th October 2005

I would not record on MD or any other lossy data reduction.

A very good location recorder is the Fostex FR-2. Sometimes you can find it under 1000,- €.

stertz · 10th October 2005

It's a 2in/out USB box. Die cast metal and all that solid stuff. both XLRs in have pre's.
It's Sound Devices' most user friendly ( and cheapest) product. and it's USB bus powered.

I hae one that I've been toying with the idea of selling. They're tough as nails so used is a viable option. Not very well known with all the Firewire stuff coming out now.

klaukholm · 11th October 2005

There is a new tascam 2ch portable recorder as well.
consider the edirol 4 channel recorder while you are at it.

kjetil

adamski · 21st November 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adebar

I would not record on MD or any other lossy data reduction.

.

The new Hi-MD recorders can record to 16-bit 44.1kHz WAV.

I am also looking at the options ... the new Tascam looks very nice but a bit pricey for me ... the M-Audio Microtrack looked good but reviews arent too good... the Marantz CF recorder also got not so good reviews, so far for the price/sound quality the Edirol R1 looks the best.

BUT for the price of the R1 I could almost get a new Hi-MD and a nice stereo mic. But no doubt the sound quality/converters on the Edirol will be better.

I'm looking for something I can just pick up on my way out and record stuff on my missions about town, as well as more 'planned' stuff.

funkateer · 26th November 2005

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cg...SP-GIGATRACKER

I have in the past used a Rode NT-4 with a Sharp minidisc, and had pretty good luck. However, there doesn't seem to be any good place to put a mic stand these days, so I've gone with the archos plus a pair of AT ES943/c small condensers that are mounted on a bassball cap. Only a little experience so far, but I think I am recording concerts that are overwhelming the mics during peaks. Otherwise, I am very happy with this rig.

18th September 2005	#1
h4nc0 Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2003 Location: Seoul, Korea Posts: 546 Thread Starter	high quality portable recorder..? I've been trying to find a portable recorder for recording samples and fx. People suggested Sony DAT (TCD-D8) recorder but it is apparently discontinued. Are there alternatives that are still on sale these days? How are the Sony hi-MD recorder? Do they come with stereo condenser mic's? Thanks!

19th September 2005	#2
Tim Halligan Gear addict Joined: Nov 2003 Location: Perth,Western Australia Posts: 324	The Sony TCD-8 is a good little unit, but the pre's are nothing to write home about...especially when trying to record really quiet sounds. However if you are leaning towards that end of the market, Marantz make a stereo recorder that records to flash cards that may fit the bill. If you want slightly higher-ended gear, then the Fostex FR-122 (I think) is also a stereo unit that can sample at up to 192 khz if necessary... Neither if these come with microphones - like the DAT - giving you more choice.headaches in that regard. There are other devices out there that may fit the bill for you... Cheers, Tim __________________ An Analogue brain in a Digital world.

10th October 2005	#8
stertz Gear interested Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 10	If you want to go less dough, Sound Devices USBPre It's a 2in/out USB box. Die cast metal and all that solid stuff. both XLRs in have pre's. It's Sound Devices' most user friendly ( and cheapest) product. and it's USB bus powered. I hae one that I've been toying with the idea of selling. They're tough as nails so used is a viable option. Not very well known with all the Firewire stuff coming out now.

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20th September 2005	#5
Lou Judson Guest Posts: n/a	Second vote for the Sound Devices 7 series. 744T is fabulous! But check this out: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MZM100/ <L>

20th September 2005	#6
boomed Gear nut Joined: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 76	Don't know that much about them but you might check out: http://www.edirol.com/products/info/r4.html

9th October 2005	#7
Adebar Lives for gear Joined: May 2005 Posts: 798	I would not record on MD or any other lossy data reduction. A very good location recorder is the Fostex FR-2. Sometimes you can find it under 1000,- €.

11th October 2005	#9
klaukholm Lives for gear Joined: May 2005 Location: EU Posts: 2,431	There is a new tascam 2ch portable recorder as well. consider the edirol 4 channel recorder while you are at it. kjetil

26th November 2005	#11
funkateer Gear interested Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 9	http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cg...SP-GIGATRACKER I have in the past used a Rode NT-4 with a Sharp minidisc, and had pretty good luck. However, there doesn't seem to be any good place to put a mic stand these days, so I've gone with the archos plus a pair of AT ES943/c small condensers that are mounted on a bassball cap. Only a little experience so far, but I think I am recording concerts that are overwhelming the mics during peaks. Otherwise, I am very happy with this rig.