Topic: "ranking" portable recorders

[divamum]

As a classical singer who's enough of a geek to pay attention to recording devices, I'm often asked "what should I buy" by other singers (and students).  Recently I've been so busy I haven't been keeping up as well as I used to, so I've started replying with a kind of "stock" answer, basically:

(note: most classical singers these days are looking for all-in-one devices, hence why the ones which require external mics or pres are perceived as "geeky". And, to be honest, with things like the Zooms and Edirols on offer, it's easier to recco that to people who are just getting started out)

ultrabudget-and/or-prepared-to-be-a-bit-geeky
Used iRiver
Used JB3
Used MD (which I usually DON'T recommend, just because it seems to me it's becoming obsolete and disks are hard to find)

Better than a tape-recorder and will do in a pinch
micromemo or other add-on recorder for iPod (how does this compare to the H2?)

Good
H2 (for those on a tight budget, or who just need a quickie device to tape lessons and rehearsals - better than an MD, not as good as the other digital recorders)

Better
H4
R09 (original)

Best (under $500)
R09-HR
Olympus LS-410
Sony PCM D50 (or up)

Serious tapirs
Marantz et al

Does that seem about right?  Are there any others out there currently I should know about? 

Tx!  Been a while since I posted much since I've been so BUSY, but things are going great. Loving my DPA4060s (hence why I'm selling the CMC8's - they did their job well and I bet I'll regret it, but such is the way of the Gearslut In Training lol)

All the best -

[rastasean]

fostex FR-2le? Sells for nearly $600 MSRP but you can find this on ebay for about $450. There are mods to this from Busman as well:
Fostex FR2-LE
Vintage and Transparency $175.00 USD

http://www.busmanaudio.com/mods.html

[WiFiJeff]

I would add for the serious tapir the Sony D1, the mics are much better than the D50's, the preamp also somewhat better.  Maybe not for 3X the money, but serious tapirs love to spend money, right?

[divamum]

fostex FR-2le? iriver h120? jb3?

Er... I included the iRiver and jb3 (see first category in my original post).

The Fostex is one I've missed - I'll look it up.  Street price?  Opinions on it?  Tx!

I would add for the serious tapir the Sony D1, the mics are much better than the D50's

Sony D1 - will add to the list (although most of the "serious tapirs" are people who know more than I do so I'm not sure I need to tell them much! Most of what I'm seeking/confirming is opinions on the stuff to recco to the n00bs and/or the cash-strapped   And, for whatever reason, singers are very technology-shy when it comes to taping. I know I was that way at first and it took a LOT of convincing to really start learning about this stuff. It's dumb, but I guess because of the emotive factor of singers listening to their own voices (ever listened to yourself, even speaking? Never sounds ANYTHING like you think it does!) it becomes this Huge Big Deal. But I digress..../tangent

Thanks - keep those opinions coming!

[rastasean]

fostex FR-2le? iriver h120? jb3?

Er... I included the iRiver and jb3 (see first category in my original post).

The Fostex is one I've missed - I'll look it up.  Street price?  Opinions on it?  Tx!

I would add for the serious tapir the Sony D1, the mics are much better than the D50's

OH, I'm sorry...totally misread that.
-peace

[John Willett]

Better
H4
R09 (original)
I don't like either of these


Best (under $500)
R09-HR
Olympus LS-410
Sony PCM D50 (or up)
This was my short list - but the Olympus is the LS-10 - I presume the "410" was a typo


Semi-Serious tapirs
Marantz et al
Don't like the Marantz and these are still pretty cheap units.

My list here would be :
Fostex FR-2LE
Tascam HD-P2
Fostex FR-2


Serious Tapers & Pro / Semi-Pro
Sound Devices 700 series
Nagra LB
Nagra VI
Sonosax


Personally I record classical a lot - I have used the Fostex FR-2 (tested the FR-2LE - it's excellent at the price).  I am now in the middle of upgrading to the Nagra VI as the main machine and I have also purchased the Olympus LS-10 as a pocket "go anywhere" recorder that I carry with me at all times.

[dallman]

I hear good things about he Tascam DR-1 and the similar GT R-1. Both have built in mics and sound like it meets your classical singing criteria too. I personally have not used these though, so I cannot comment about real world use.

[flintstone]

I also would recommend that you add the Tascam DR-1 to your list.
It's in the same league as the R-09HR, and costs about $210 from
online retailers. 

[graemecogger]

I would add the Marantz PDM620 to the "Best (under $500)" group.  Tremendously easy to use and better built than the Edirol.  From the samples I've heard, the quality with external mics is as good as the Edirol and better than the Olympus.  On internal mics, and again from the samples I've heard, I'd put the Marantz behind the Sony and Olympus, but above the Edirol and Tascam.

My wife recently used the Marantz (on internal mics) to record all her sessions at a week long music summer school (she's also a classical singer), and I've been very surprised by the quality.  Also, the fact that my wife managed to use a new piece of kit for the whole week without any problems means that it must be very easy to use

[easy jim]

The Edirol R-4, R-44, and R-4 Pro should also all be on the list, in either the 'semi-serious' or 'serious' categories.

[Carlos E. Martinez]

I also would recommend that you add the Tascam DR-1 to your list.
It's in the same league as the R-09HR, and costs about $210 from
online retailers. 

Just a side question on the DR-1: is it easy to find that DR1 battery Li-Ion battery?

Only that battery seems to power it, so it would be better to buy another one along with the recorder, and it's not offered as an accessory you can order in B&H, for instance. It made me think if it's not something that is not easy to find.

[flintstone]

Using Google Shopping, I see 40 sources for the Tascam DR-1 battery,
which is called the BP-L2.  Vendors include reputable audio suppliers
like Sound Professionals, Full Compass, Guitar Center and Minidisco.

B&H Photo Video also sells the battery as a special order item.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/579083-REG/Tascam_BP_L2__BP_L2_BATTERY_PACK_f_DR_1_GT_R1_.html

Prices range from $31 to $50, before shipping charges are added.
The BP-L2 lasts about 7 hours before its charge falls below what
the DR-1 needs to operate.

Flintstone

[Carlos E. Martinez]

B&H Photo Video also sells the battery as a special order item.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/579083-REG/Tascam_BP_L2__BP_L2_BATTERY_PACK_f_DR_1_GT_R1_.html

Interesting. B&H does not list the battery as a DR1 accessory.

[divamum]

Can anyone comment on the internal mics on the Tascam? One of the reasons that the H4 and R09 (which I have and have been very happy with) have been so popular among singers is because the mics in both units are sensitive enough to record acoustic music well, but also cope with the high SPL's that operatic voices throw at it on particular notes without distorting (particularly women's voices in high register).  Just curious. (Anybody have any samples they can point me to?).   

Thanks for all the input so far. 

[John Willett]

The Edirol R-4, R-44, and R-4 Pro should also all be on the list, in either the 'semi-serious' or 'serious' categories.

R-4 - no

But R-44 and R-4 Pro - yes, I agree.