What digital recorder?

[toine6]

The only other bad thing with the Zoom H4 that I know of thusfar, is that it is a bit longer and thicker than the Edirol or M-audio recorders.

[james0tucson]

I'm certain there will soon be much better options out there for even cheaper (...there probably already are )

Why do you say that, and how soon is soon?

Are you actually "certain" or are you guessing?

[james0tucson]

Tks! It's a good one. Cheaper than the M-audio's one. It has condenser mics? Very good point.
I like this one.

I think one distinction between the Edirol and the M-Audio depends on whether you prefer built-in mics, or if you want a built-in preamp with phantom power. Every place I've seen them both offered, they are exactly the same price.

Other factors influencing me, include the fact that I have a large collection of Compact Flash cards, because I have two cameras that use them. I don't care much for SD devices, but I don't really have technical reasons for that.

I'm probably biased, since I'm still steamed about not being able to get an Edirol R-1 when they came out, despite ordering one and waiting for months. My need for the recorder came and went during that time and I was forced to use my minidisc.

[toine6]

Well, the M-audio is a non-option for me, since it has a built in rechargeable battery that doesn't appear to be easily replaced. Plus, what if you're out away from home in the woods for a couple days, once the charge is dead, you have to wait until you get near an outlet again, it would be nice if it allowed regular batteries.

[blortblort]

I'm certain there will soon be much better options out there for even cheaper (...there probably already are )

Why do you say that, and how soon is soon?

Are you actually "certain" or are you guessing?

The only recording technology that I know of that never got progressively cheap was DAT...everything else has...I figure these mini handhelds will follow suit. As soon as I posted earlier this evening, I saw the the Zoom is $100 less than the R-09 that we bought 4 months ago
do I have any idea if m-audio or edirol have any rebuttal to that with cheaper list or newer cheaper product? nope. I sure don't, but there is a track record with this sort of stuff. just the way of things; eventually, they'll get cheaper.
you don't actually pay for the hardware so much as you pay for the right to use it...especially with computers and other electronics. Early adopters always pay more and end up serving as the beta testers in the real world...HOWEVER, by paying more, early adopters DO get the right to use the goodies sooner...and for that, they wind up paying more.
heck- 30 years ago, I paid 350bucks for a VCR for my parents 25TH wedding anniversary...now, they're giving VCR's away when you buy three VHS tapes at the walmart...(kidding...but it's almost that much of a jump )

BTW- the built in condensers on the R-09 suprised me. They're quite good...I was more than ready to use my trusty Sony ECM-909A with the R-09, but after some A/B tests, consolidation rules the day: the built in mics on the R-09 sound better with that recorder...go figure!

[james0tucson]

I'm certain there will soon be much better options out there for even cheaper (...there probably already are )

Why do you say that, and how soon is soon?

Are you actually "certain" or are you guessing?

The only recording technology that I know of that never got progressively cheap was DAT...everything else has...I figure these mini handhelds will follow suit.

You're guessing. I was ready to take your comment as insider information that should deter me from buying a recorder.


I know how consumer products work, pricing and all that. But you said you were *certain* and *winked*, which made me wonder if you work in marketing for Boss or Sony or something.

[lucasherrero]

Tks by the help guys!

What's the difference between a digital recorder and go out with my laptop, my firebox and my sm 58? I know the weight and the space in my bag are two...another one? what about the mic?

[sonicfire]

http://cgi.ebay.com/418-1GB-MP4-Player- ... 0034523041

22 USD???? WTF?

[blortblort]

I'm certain there will soon be much better options out there for even cheaper (...there probably already are )

Why do you say that, and how soon is soon?

Are you actually "certain" or are you guessing?

The only recording technology that I know of that never got progressively cheap was DAT...everything else has...I figure these mini handhelds will follow suit.

You're guessing. I was ready to take your comment as insider information that should deter me from buying a recorder.


I know how consumer products work, pricing and all that. But you said you were *certain* and *winked*, which made me wonder if you work in marketing for Boss or Sony or something.

yep- you're right. I am guessing and no, I'm not affiliated with either the Boss or Sony folks...and I guess I was a little cavalier in using the word "certain", but I'm pretty sure R-09 and MicroTrack will give way to cheaper options in the near future...but I certainly don't know how near...didn't mean to mis-lead anyone.

[Circle]

That would be awesome Greg. If you're doing 96k then you'll need those 2 gigs.

The dual XLR/1/4" inputs were the major feature for me. I've heard some bad stories of the M-Audio, so hopefully the Zoom H4 will do right what they did wrong.

The one downside to the H4 is its low battery life. Unless you keep on top of rechargeable batteries, the 4 hours won't last too many sessions. In my opinion, the sound effects/samples I'll be recording probably won't be too far from an outlet, especially when using a nice long extension cord. So that way I won't have to worry about two AA batteries every time I use it.

In fact I do have rechargable batteries, but my main concern is if the preamps will be up to snuff.

What kind of mic(s) do you plan on using it with?

[tee boy]

that FR2 is a little out of my price range

dw

Did I mention that the FR2LE appears to be under half the price?



BB

[dusted william]

Did I mention that the FR2LE appears to be under half the price

\


nope, but I like how that sounds! I've been wanting a protable reocrder for a while. Hopefully the competion will heat up a bit.

dw

[Gregjazz]

Thought I'd bring up this old thread since I just received my Zoom H4 today. It's really sweet!! The interface very slick--it's really easy to use, and everything is logical. I haven't run into any quirky interface issues so far. No drivers/software necessary to hook up the USB to your computer, since it acts as a USB mass storage device. I haven't hooked up any external mics to it yet, but the stereo pencil condensers it comes with sound pretty good. It comes with mic modeling and effects, and an adjustable metronome, which are all really cool bonus features. The metronome was a definite plus for using its multitracking capabilities.

Anyway, I hope I can do a more in-depth review of it soon with sound samples, but I need more time to experiment with it and check the noise levels and things like that.

EDIT: I did a quick experiment of recording in 96kHz/24bit with absolutely nothing plugged in, and the internal noise is practically non-existent. It is better than both the internal noise in the SB Audigy and the M-Audio Ozone. (keep in mind we're talking about a matter of around -87db which is very minimal IMO) So that's how the internal noise is. I wanted to make sure it was actually recording at 24bit and the A/D converter wasn't cheating me.

Next test is to go record some silence through some mics in the relatively sound-proofed practice rooms at my university on a weekend. Let me tell you, that place is SILENT on the weekends. But it'll give me an idea of what kind of noise levels I can get through external mics and the X/Y pattern stereo microphones it includes.

[dusted william]

awesome, thanks Gregjazz. I'm going to pick on of these up!!

dw

[Genetic_Junk]

Your review is much appreciated Gregjazz. It does sound good from your description. I'm anxious to hear the samples of silence from your university.