portable digital recorder?

gustavojobim

hi

I'm trying to use the computer as little as possible and going as portable as I can [afford]... so can anyone recommend a good, inexpensive as possible, portable digital audio recorder?

I've read reviews for a lot of models, like Edirol R-09, Edirol R-1, M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96 Pocket Digital Recorder, Tascam GT-R1, Olympus LS-10, Zoom H4, Boss Micro BR, Zoom H2... unfortunately they all seem to be awfully expensive (mind you, in Brazil anything that's imported is severely taxed)

the tiny Zoom H1 would fit in my very tight budget, but would it be a good option for electronic music recording? I have no idea.

what I need is to be able to record anywhere (the last few weeks, it's about letting the wife play the sims 2 while I record some microkorg noodling during the baby's weekend afternoon naps) so I can later upload the solo tracks to the computer for mixing.

any ideas will be greatly appreciated, thanks!!

v-un-v · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 3:14 pm Post subject:

I still use (and love) my Sony MZ-R30 Minidisc walkman. You can pick them up for nothing these days.

If you get a flatbed version too, you can use that to record straight into the computer from.

FWIW, I mastered an LP at Abbey Road Studios (EMI) with a Mindidisc machine (My Sony MDS-JB930- which I still use today!).

sneakthief · Joined: Jul 24, 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Berlin

Just finished using a Zoom H1 for live recording for a week. It sounds OK but is built out of cheap plastic that scratches easily.

Also used an H4N at the same time and that's built like a tank in comparison and is very enjoyable to use.

You get what you pay for.

gustavojobim · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 5:19 pm Post subject:

yeah, in the beginning (years 2000-2) I used a Sony flatbed MD recorder - JE640 -, but then I noticed the MD compression cut too much of the higher frequencies.

another thing that always bugged me about that recorder was that it would stop recording if it thought the signal was too low. I lost some precious seconds of careful electronic noise fadeout noodling that way. I never found out if I could turn that off.

I still have that recorder and the MDs but, after forgetting an MD inside it for a couple of years, something in there went bad and now the drive won't lift up to align the disc for ejection. it always needs a little hand, literally - like an old man.

It seems to me that for now I'll have to make do with what I already have: a cheap laptop and an edirol usb audio interface (UA-1EX). It would be great to be able to do a monotron + overdub-capable portable recorder combo during the job commute though. but I would need to buy both things first!

Muied Lumens · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 5:48 pm Post subject:

There are a few other alternatives, apart from a whole host of portable recorders with line inputs added on of course.

If you want overdub in one portable unit, Korg makes a recorder in a small package...

Then you have the new Kaoss pad things, which now record (and overdub!) Looks fun... http://createdigitalmusic.com/2012/01/korgs-kaossilator-2-mini-kaoss-2-handheld-sonic-fun-thats-not-an-iphone/

You can of course also use an iThing, coupled with a stereo capable input device... You could get an older device, or the cheaper iPods. Or, if you are happy with mono in, you can use the mic input on and old second hand iPod touch...

There are also some small multi-track recorders from Boss and Zoom, hardly ever gets a mention anywhere.

If you expand the foot print to the size of a laptop, there are a great deal of multi track hard disk recorders with the mixer built in, and very cheap second hand. Some of them are getting old now, and are a great deal bigger than a laptop, so it is a good idea to research (and definitely try out!) those before buying.

gustavojobim · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 4:58 am Post subject:

hey Lumens, the Korg SOS SR-1 you mention looks perfect!

jksuperstar · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:08 am Post subject:

If you could sell your edirol interface, a few of the portable units (like the Zoom H4n) act like an audio interface when attached to a computer OR an iPod/iPhone/iPad. So if the sale expands your budget, that's an option to consider.

I have a Zoom H4n, and really like the sound out of it. I have had minidiscs in the past, and hated the motor sounds that I'd pick up during very quiet passages, but it did qork pretty well for years (and still does!). The zoom can record 4 tracks simultaneously also, which I think is a great benefit (record the room and directly off the mixing board if you can).

v-un-v · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 4:31 am Post subject:

gustavojobim · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 6:03 am Post subject:

well that interface is an old model so I probably wouldn't get a lot for it, and the H4N around here goes for several times as much as I might get for the UA-1EX... so that probably wouldn't help much.

thanks for all your ideas! much appreciated Smile