howardb9
1 post
Dec 08, 2012
10:55 AM
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I'm interested in buying an affordable electronic recorder to lay down some informal and spur of the moment songs and ideas while I am on the road. I've been looking at a Tascam product for under $100. Any ideas and suggestions?
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SmokeJS
12 posts
Dec 08, 2012
1:05 PM
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I've got GarageBand and an Apogee Jam guitar input. Just haven't had the time to get around to seeing how well a high impedance mic will work into one of the vintage style amps available. Haven't been on this forum long enough to note any discussion.
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rbeetsme
959 posts
Dec 08, 2012
3:35 PM
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I just picked up a Tascam DP-008. Battery powered 8 track, user friendly, dials for each track (I hate trying to navigate everything from a touchscreen). Easy to carry, portable, easy to use, inputs for 2- 1/4 inch and XLR mics. Tascam CD quality.
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daijoubu
13 posts
Dec 08, 2012
8:27 PM
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The Zoom H1 is popular. Not sure how it works with an external mic though if that's what you're after.
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Rob
Six Eight Time
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lumpy wafflesquirt
659 posts
Dec 09, 2012
12:37 AM
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if it's just for ideas and the quality isn't that important, why not just use your phone, even my cheap one has a voice recorder on it.
if you want broadcast quality recordings obviously that is not going to work.
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"Come on Brackett let's get changed"
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NiteCrawler .
219 posts
Dec 09, 2012
5:20 AM
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I bought a Tascam DR 08 from the stupid deal from M.Friend a few months ago.Its a great little recorder for $99.Our bass player uses one for practise once in a while when were learning new material and the sound and balance is incredible.
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LSC
341 posts
Dec 09, 2012
10:12 AM
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I've had remarkably good results with a Zoom H2 just using the internal mics. They are quite easy to find 2nd hand for well under $100.
I also have a smartphone app, J4T four track recorder. Can't remember if I paid for it or it was free. If I paid I know it was under $20. Works well enough as a "always there" notebook" Never tried it for any sort of band practice/gig situation.
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LSC
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Chickenthief
313 posts
Dec 10, 2012
2:23 AM
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I've been using a Zoom H4n for about a year and a half. It has become nearly indispensable for my own harp practice. It has a lot of different features that I actually make use of including a slow downer for playback at + or - speeds. Very useful.
I was talking to a couple of different techs at different times about this model. One of them was a recording engineer, the other a sound man at a local venue and both of them were very enthusiastic about this particular unit. They both mentioned the microphone quality, one of them saying something like- "you have no right to expect mics of that quality at that price", or something like that. Well they seem to be pretty good for what I use them for.
I thought that learning to navigate amongst the files, and features was a bit cumbersome at first but I have nothing to compare it with so I do not know if other recorders are easier to use.
I forgot exactly what mine was priced at but I think that the price might have come down since then.
If you are buying new consider Sweetwater.com as they offer a free tech support along with some enhanced warranty features (at no additional expense if I recall correctly). In fact you might even want to call them up on the phone first just to see if they can tell you anything you might want to know before you buy. There are at least one or two guys there who seem to have a lot of recording experience along with some sound advice and I never felt any sales pressure when I called them up to ask a question.
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garry
298 posts
Dec 12, 2012
6:38 PM
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i'll second the recommendation for the various zooms. if you have the cash, you might want to go for the q3hd so you can record video as well as audio. but a good audio recorder is a vital tool for you and your band to learn how it really sounds "out there".
i'll also second sweetwater. great customer service.
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