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Cheap and cheerful line-level only mono recorder?

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thatjackelliott:
I've been asked to record a local spoken-word stage production by taping off the headphone jack of the theater's sound board. Nothing fancy here, just have to take in a line-level (sort of, headphone jack) signal and record it. Of course, one never knows what output level the headphone jack is providing, so some input level adjustability is a good thing. Peak limiting, too. Any thoughts?

if_then_else:
I was in the same situation earlier this year in a small music bar in Belgium where there was only a headphone jack out of the SBD.
Any decent small deck (Sony PCM-M10, Olympus LS-11, Edirol R9-HR/R5, Marantz PMD-620 etc.) should be fine for your purpose.
Just make sure to bring the right cables and adapters with you.

- Stereo headphone adapter
- 2xRCA Jack to 1/4" mono adapter
- RCA Y-Adaptor Cable
- 3.5 mm TRS to 3.5 mm TRS stereo cable

If you need variable attenuation (because the signal might be too hot), there are some decent adaptors on available ebay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AAS40ASC-DC-40dB-Adjustable-Stereo-Audio-Attenuator-Line-to-Mic-with-single-ctrl/182889222790?hash=item2a950c1286:g:1wMAAOSwJYVZbz9y
or, alternatively, you could go for the more expensive alternative from SESCOM
http://www.sescom.com/product.asp?item=SES-MKP-27

thatjackelliott:
Thank you, if-then-else. These solutions are in the $400 to $500 price range. This is one show I've been asked to record, probably less than two hours long, in mono, with no music. I wish I had my old portable 1/4'' tape recorder that I had when I was a kid, but I haven't seen that since 1966. Maybe I could use my iPhone. Would need to sort out the combo 3.5mm TRRS plug.

achalsey:
You don't have a recorder of your own you can just use?

The tascam DR-05 can be had for $100 USD. 
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/757065-REG/Tascam_DR_05_DR_05_Portable_Handheld_Digital.html

I'm not familiar with iphone recording, but a quick search gives a Rode SC4 that's a TRS > TRRS converter. (if you have an iphone w/ a headphone jack.) I think you can find apps that would let that record to your phone.
http://amzn.to/1sRlEtp

thatjackelliott:
Sure, I have a recorder, a laptop running Reaper. I normally use it with a couple of audio interfaces to record and broadcast music festivals. The resultant setup has a pretty large footprint and more than one device that needs AC power. The sound booth at the theater is tiny, so I'm looking for a compact solution that won't get in the way of the sound guy or requires that I bring a power strip and rig cables.

So I said to myself, "Self, let's find out what's in the world of little recorders." I don't need stereo, I don't need mics, I don't need 24-bit resolution. Thus my question. The little DR-05 looks like a very adequate solution, thank you!

This morning I was able to check out a Marantz PMD-660 from the station. I'll take a look at the manual to see how much recording time it provides, and whether it has built-in adjustable attenuation for the 3.5mm Line In jack.

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