Portable digital recorders

[mbw]

so, after going to a lot of local smallish shows lately which either didnt have tapers or don't allow them, i got to looking into handheld recorders that i could slip into my shirt pocket and tape a show.  i really want to record the junip shows in april.

i don't think i want to get involved with taping rigs and what not, but who knows...

anyway, would i be able to pull a decent recording in a club with something like one of these...

Tascam DR-05 or 07
http://tascam.com/product/dr-05/

Zoom H2 or H4n
http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/h2/

mattstick, i know you work for Tascam so any input would be appreciated...

[mattstick]

Tascam is better than Zoom.

I own a DR-07.

If you had it near the PA, and set your levels nicely, and had the mics rather unobstructed you could get a nice recording.

[mbw]

if it was sticking out of a shirt pocket, or placed on a table or rail or something like that in a small club, would it be worth it?

[mattstick]

I realized I didn't answer your question, so I edited.

From personal experience, on a table, in a jazz club, you can get a nice recording.

[mbw]

I realized I didn't answer your question, so I edited.

From personal experience, on a table, in a jazz club, you can get a nice recording.

sweet.  i think i will give it a shot.  and i could always plug in other mics if i decide to get serious.
i'll trust you on the tascam over the zoom, though i sure you are a little biased.   :wink:

i like the pricetag on the DR-05...

[Marmar]

there's a few different makes of those recorders with built in mics....I think there's even a few that have different/changeable capsules to suit your recording needs....

[UncleEbinezer]

I think GAH had a zoom that he used for a while.  We used it also to record some jam sessions.  We were relatively pleased with the recordings, but no matter what you get as matt said, set your levels.  We just plugged it in and went.  Some times drums were weak or bass was too loud, etc.

I know that isn't much help, but that's all I got.

[G. Augusto]

What kind of mini tripod is there for the 05?

[Marmar]

lil pricey but....

http://www.zzounds.com/item--SNYPCMD50

and stand

http://www.zzounds.com/item--SNYVCTPCM1


Tascam:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--TASAKDR1

[DoW]

keeping a recorder in a shirt pocket will only work if you stay farily still, at leats that is the reviews on the zoom.

another option is the church audio mics for stealthing that can be had for fairly reasonable prices and can just be velcroed to your shirt or hat or whatever.

another suggestion I'd have is finding a used one on ebay or in the yard sale on taperssection.com. 

I've even heard of someone raising a zoom on a mic stand and recording with the internal mics and pulling a decent recording of a further show (although I haven't listened to it to verify.

[mbw]

keeping a recorder in a shirt pocket will only work if you stay farily still, at leats that is the reviews on the zoom.

another option is the church audio mics for stealthing that can be had for fairly reasonable prices and can just be velcroed to your shirt or hat or whatever.

i'm actually lookin into his mics right now.  $100 or so, have listened to a bunch of samples, good stuff.
clip on your shirt collar.

i think i am gonna do this.

[rowjimmy]

I have had a guy attach his zoom recorder to my stand to tape a show with the built-in  mics.. .never heard the result. seems like a pita.

I'd buy the tascam if I were in the market now.

Then I'd look into some church-audio mics for high quality, low-key, recording.

[twatts]

I haven't been keeping up with the new hand-helds, but my advice is this:

after a few years of trying out different things (mics, pres, recorders, battery packs, etc.), I finally decided it was a huge waste of money and that I should have saved up and done it right the first time around.

I think your best bet is to find a unit that does everything that you would potentially want it to do in the future.  Getting a recorder with a set of good internal mics, but with a crappy 1/8" input, will do you know good next year if you want to add Church Mics.

I would spend the money on a nice Sony or Tascam unit.  You will be much happier with your results, in the long run.

Do some reading at TS.  You aren't the first in this boat, and there will be others that have posted their personal experiences...

Terry



Edit to add:  I did some quick reading on Tascams and Sonys...  It looks like most are moving towards the Sony units on TS...  THis is what I found:  http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/productComparisonChart.do?URL=/bbsc/ssr/cat-audio/cat-recorders/&models=PCMD50,PCMM10/B

IMO, the PCM-M10 is what you want...  Although if you want to potentially add an external DAC, you'll want the D50. 

Terry

[gah]

yeah, I had a Zoom H4 for awhile, it worked out of for taping band practices and shows, but I didn't use it in big club/bar settings to tape other bands so can't advise you on that. I'd probably go with a nicer tascam as others have suggested if you plan on getting into it more seriously. I will say this though, hand held's are really easy to use, and as long as you're adjusting the levels right, you'll enjoy it...

[twatts]

Hand-Held comp:  http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=143526.0;topicseen

Terry