Re: portable hand field recorders

["Art Simon" <simart@gmail.com>]

On 4/23/07, Raul Bonell <raul.bonell@gmail.com> wrote:
> Which one of these can accept an electret stereo mic?
> It seems the Zoom comes with that kind of mics, but I was trying to
> continue using my core audio ones....

It looks like the Zoom H2 will take "plug in power" electret stereo
mics when it comes out. I wonder if the H4 wouldn't as well.

> > if you aren't in a rush, i'd wait for the H2 to come out this summer.
> > it does away with the 4 track mode and records in surround sound and
> > its $100 less.
> > 
>http://createdigitalmusic.com/2007/01/26/namm-zooms-199-usb-h2-mobile-micrecorder-found-in-the-wild/#more-1850


>
> Does anybody has any esperience with the Edirol ?
> I read in a web-shop that this one has the related input.
>
> Thanks,
> Raül.
>
>
> 2007/4/23, Krispen Hartung <khartung@cableone.net>:
> > Travis has offered a decent analysis here, so I'll only add my two 
>cents and
> > recommend the M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96.
> > http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MicroTrack2496-main.html
> >
> > I've been using it for over a year now with astounding results. In 
>fact,
> > I've used it for many of my recent CD tracks.  The cool thing is that 
>it
> > records to MP3 and wav, and at different sample and bit rates. Plus 
>the 1/4
> > inch inputs are balanced...and it has phantom power. You can get a 
>balanced
> > XLR to 1/4 inch adpator to go directly out of a mixer board's XLR 
>outputs. I
> > bought a 2GB flashcard for mine, so I can load it up with 4 hours of 
>wav
> > recordings. I really can't say anything bad about this unit, given the 
>price
> > and features, and size.
> >
> > Kris
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Travis Hartnett" <travishartnett@gmail.com>
> > To: <Loopers-Delight@loopers-delight.com>
> > Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 8:07 AM
> > Subject: Re: portable hand field recorders
> >
> >
> > > Just recently I was discussing this with a friend of mine.  He uses
> > > the Zoom, and here's what he had to say about it:
> > >
> > > "i got one of those zoom H4 recorders that looks like a tazer. its
> > > pretty useful. but not for incapacitating attackers.
> > >
> > > i really like it. its replaced my minidisc. i bought it cause [a
> > > mutual friend] got one and he's really picky about gear and does a 
>ton
> > > of research. for the price, which is less than the roland or m-audio
> > > units, it can't be beat.
> > >
> > > it has the usual zoom drawbacks: its not very sturdy and sort of
> > > poorly designed in general, the menu navigation is really bad. i 
>can't
> > > imagine using it as a 4-track, which it does with various amp 
>modeling
> > > and stuff. but for regular stereo recording, it seems fine; just push
> > > the record button once to put it in standby and check levels, then
> > > push it again to start.
> > >
> > > if you aren't in a rush, i'd wait for the H2 to come out this summer.
> > > it does away with the 4 track mode and records in surround sound and
> > > its $100 less.
> > > 
>http://createdigitalmusic.com/2007/01/26/namm-zooms-199-usb-h2-mobile-micrecorder-found-in-the-wild/#more-1850
> > >
> > > [in answer to a question regarding how easily levels can be set when
> > > recording]
> > > the zoom has  dedicated L/M/H switches on the side (for both the 
>built
> > > in mics and the inputs, which are combo XLR 1/4 inch) those levels 
>are
> > > user adjustable, which involes wading thru the menus. but once you
> > > have them set, you can just use the switch to select between the 3
> > > settings.
> > >
> > > also it has a built in limiter that i think does a "look ahead" 
>thing.
> > > that function can be turned on or off as you choose. kirk thought 
>this
> > > was one of the real selling points for the zoom, i guess the roland
> > > and m-audio don't do this. there's also a built in compressor.
> > >
> > > both the M-audio and roland are just under $400, the zoom is under
> > > $300, i think you can find it for as low as $279, but it's typically
> > > $299.
> > > the m-audio has no built in mic, but i think it comes with a plug in
> > > thing. the roland mics point out to the sides, while the zoom mics 
>are
> > > in an x-y sort of configuration which i think gives a better stereo
> > > image. and its the only one with XLR inputs which can be phantom
> > > powered.
> > >
> > > on top of all that, when you hook it up to your computer, it will 
>work
> > > as a bus-powered audio interface, and it comes with a copy of cubase.
> > >
> > > things about it that stink:
> > > clunky design- looks like a tazer, might get you shot.
> > > does not feel especially sturdy.
> > > battery/SD card cover opens in an awkward way. and the SD card is
> > > really hard to get out unless you have fingernails.
> > > menu navigation is awful. really, really bad.
> > > the display is tiny
> > > the unit seems much larger than it should be. it won't fit in your
> > > pocket (comfortably). the roland and m-audio are much smaller.
> > > it has no clock, so the files don't have a useful date on them.
> > >
> > > hopefully some of this stuff will be fixed on the H2. i know it looks
> > > to be smaller and does have a time stamp function. i also know it
> > > won't do multi-track recording, but that's probably not a big deal."
> > >
> > > Hope this helps.
> > >
> > > TravisH
> > >
> > >
> > > On 4/23/07, L.A. Angulo <labaloops@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > >>
> > >> i need something really portable and easy to operat
> > >> like the old portable tape recorders(too bad i got rid
> > >> of my old one) that fits in my hand but digital with
> > >> mic and 1/4" inputs usb options and all the new
> > >> goodies with a good sound without the need of
> > >> connecting x-tra micros or xpensive xtra battery
> > >> charge device to record sounds, rehearsals,speeches
> > >> etc.
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> The Playing Orchestra: http://www.telefonica.net/web2/tpo
> Chain Tape Collective: http://www.ct-collective.com
> TPO at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theplayingorchestra
>
>


-- 
Art Simon
simart@null.net
http://art.simon.tripod.com
http://www.myspace.com/artsimon