Need advice for a portable voice/music recorder

[Guest bobbobbob]

I'm looking for a small, good quality recorder that can be used in a variety of environments, from voice at home and lecture to a music concert.

 

I don't want to spend too much on a first device, maybe $150-200, as I am just getting into it. I obviously don't need professional quality, but I would love to find a solid one that doesn't distort multiple-voice or bass sounds.

 

Thanks.

[Guest acridavid]

The only portable recorder I've had experience with was a Zoom. Think it was this one http://www.samsontech.com/products/product...cfm?prodID=1901.

Used it for recording the soundtrack for a short movie. Can't really compare it with anything else but I liked the device. That one just exceeds your budget (unless you can find a secondhand one maybe) but there are cheaper versions.

[Guest bobbobbob]

Thanks. There is a lower Zoom model, H2, which I found there which is right in my price range.

[acid1]

The H2 and the H4 vary greatly in features. Some things the H2 has which the H4 does not, so make sure to pay attention to the specs and the accessories they come with.

[Guest nuclearaddict]

You really can't go wrong with the Zoom H2.

[Guest Tamas]

If you look on Craigslist, you could probably find a nice portable minidisc recorder for under $40. I found one for $20, with 7 minidiscs, but I think maybe I was slightly lucky...

 

The two downsides are that you (1) need to buy a microphone (which isn't really a downside, having a microphone is a good asset in the long run, and you can get a good stereo mic for $60) and (2) you have to record it via analog, which means that if you record an hour's worth of samples, it'll take an hour to transfer to your computer (unless you get REALLY lucky and get a minidisc recorder that supports transferring recorded samples digitally).

[Guest Super lurker ultra V12]

sony pcm-d50

[Guest Iain C]

I use a microcassette dictaphone which cost £15, cause I'm "proper lo-fi".

[Guest A/D]

sony pcm-d50

 

quoted for truth, but it is over twice the OP's original budget. worth the money many times over, though!

[Guest futuregirlfriend]

For anyone who may have one, how's the handling noise on the Zoom H2? My main use would be plonking it down to record things that aren't in my bedroom, but I would like to try some surreptitious recording while walking around town/job centre/yada yada.

[Guest Idrn]

i was looking into some attachment for my ipod nano which allows me to attach a mic and record. there are a few but apparently theyre horrible quality and break all the time (even so far as need to reinstall the firmware of your ipod continuously). anyone tried one for themselves?

[kaen]

microtrack

[Guest futuregirlfriend]

microtrack

 

microtrack ii does seem interesting.

[mcbpete]

For anyone who may have one, how's the handling noise on the Zoom H2? My main use would be plonking it down to record things that aren't in my bedroom, but I would like to try some surreptitious recording while walking around town/job centre/yada yada.

Unfortunately the handling noise is quite high, though with the supplied microphone pole thingy that's supplied with it this is quite reduced.

 

Here's someone who managed to get an insanely low level of handling noise on the h2:

http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/9/22/145...%20net%20MS.mp3 (taken from this topic http://www.2090.org/zoom/bbs/viewtopic.php?p=96859 )

 

I don't know how he managed to achieve such a lack of noise but I was certainly sold in getting one ! A word of advice if you get one, first step - change the crappy supplied 512mb SD card with a decent one or you'll get glitchy dropouts....

 

But get one, they're bloody awesome - here's one of the first recordings I made with it a few months back -

http://www.ilovecubus.co.uk/pete/train_h2.mp3

[Guest futuregirlfriend]

Cheers, man. Some of the recordings from that thread are pretty good.

 

I'll make the purchase pretty soon I think.

[Guest futuregirlfriend]

unneeded update

 

so, i got the h2 yesterday, took it to the park whacked some rusty bins, tried to go down the slide. i haven't tinkered too much just yet.

 

thought i'd share this though, which i recorded only about 40 minutes ago. walking back home i spy a few police, and

200 muslims (assumption) marching up a hill. i caught up with them and walked on the pavement to their right. few fumbling noises, a bit of clipping after i'd converted to mp3 and my sick, whistling nose in there too.