Topic: ISO: Very compact/small Recorder

[sparko]

Hi folks,

I am currently using my iPhone to record but there's times I want to run a second rig (and do not have a friend with another iPhone with me lol) and I'm looking for the smallest / most handy recorder to find, that offers the following:

- stereo recording
- 3.5mm Jack for Mics (I'm using Soundman mics) - useful built in mics are not important
- Input Level Gain (physically or software) - with an optical indication would be great (if not software-wise, some LED or something would be nice)
- WAV Recording (24/96 would be nice but is not the most important)
- Mic power (I do not have/use batterybox/A3 for my mics)
- SD or microSD Slot

I stumbled upon the Zoom F1-LP but this device is surprisingly thick (someone suggested ripping the belt loops off, but I'm not up to that kind of "modifying"). Also the Zoom H1n looks interesting for that matter. Do these devices run a decent rock recording without A3/batterybox added? Are they able to record for about 4 hours regarding battery usage?

Any opinions or other recommendations? Devices that are not available as new anymore are also interesting, if they are usually to find on second market for reasonable prices.

Thanks for help/ideas

[junkyardt]

A Roland R-07, a used Sony PCM-M10, or one of the new Sony PCM-A10’s would probably be your best bet.

[goodcooker]

I like my Marantz PMD620. It is very small but a little thick. It has more plug in mic power than any other affordable pocket recorder at close to 5V.
You can set the level LED to light up at either -6 or -12dB and recording level is controlled by 2 recessed up/down buttons on the side.
The small screen is white on black OLED and is easy to read even with the brightness turned all the way down.
Runs for 5 hours or so on 2 rechargable AAs.
Only does up to 24bit 48kHz.
You can find them for cheap every so often. I got mine for $50 used.

[sparko]

Well I have to admit, these are all not that smallish what I'm looking for. I had a Tascam DR 2D but sold it because of its size (and by that switching to my phone), before I had a Tascam DR-07. And the DR2D is pretty much the same sice as the Roland, Marantz or M10.

The A10 looks very interesting in dimensions but the price is a good junk above what I wanted to spend on it by now. What capacity of MicroSD can it take?

[jerryfreak]

A10 is the smallest. it has 8GB internal and can take 400GB cards

if its above your budget i have an R07 in the yard sale, also a great unit

[Twenty8]

The A10 is tiny and super light.  Its smaller than the DR-2d in all dimensions.
Can be switched to Line In, but also runs Mic In for plug-in-power.
Its price is very low compared with (a) its competition and (b) the "new" market for recorders of it's size.

Already a thread 15 pages deep on the device:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=188246.0
This thread, if read through, will answer many of your questions about the device.

I considered the A10 heavily before pulling the trigger on the 2d.
If you are looking for something cheaper or smaller or exceeding your needs, it will probably run you more than the A10s current retail price of 230 USD.

[jerryfreak]

I considered the A10 heavily before pulling the trigger on the 2d.
If you are looking for something cheaper or smaller or exceeding your needs, it will probably run you more than the A10s current retail price of 230 USD.

im not aware of anything smaller that does what the A10 does

[beatkilla]

I found one that is way smaller.

However this Sony only has built in mics and does 16bit 44.1k max.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75p0lutagIk

[jerryfreak]

yes but that doesnt do what the A10 does in terms of recording quality. might as well use a cheap smartphone at that point

I found one that is way smaller.

However this Sony only has built in mics and does 16bit 44.1k max.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75p0lutagIk

[sparko]

Thanks for the link!

the A10 is really feature packed and looks pretty sexy for a stealth taper with that size, weight and app control I really threw my eye on this now but ~220€ is too much atm (just grabbed new mics that ripped my pocket). I have to wait for a steal offer, gift vouchers or whatever way I can save on this.

Thanks for all your help, as long as noone builds a device without internal mics that might be way smaller; the A10 really looks like the best choice.

[u2_fly_2]

Olympus LS-10 is great for stealth-recording.

[unidentified]

This Zoom is pretty small but I know nothing about it.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1385361-REG/zoom_zf1lp_zoom_f1_field_recorder.html/?ap=y&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-tXlBRDWARIsAGYQAmeUpkL0nB003OwBdxNztX4xxi7ATnNv1cgiSuon_g2mWxXzrVgO6KQaAq2fEALw_wcB&lsft=BI%3A514&smp=Y

[heathen]

This Zoom is pretty small but I know nothing about it.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1385361-REG/zoom_zf1lp_zoom_f1_field_recorder.html/?ap=y&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-tXlBRDWARIsAGYQAmeUpkL0nB003OwBdxNztX4xxi7ATnNv1cgiSuon_g2mWxXzrVgO6KQaAq2fEALw_wcB&lsft=BI%3A514&smp=Y

Info here: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=185151.0

[ThePiedPiper]

I use 2 Zoom F1 and I have ZERO complaints at all. I love these little machines. Super stealthy and full of features.

[illconditioned]

I use 2 Zoom F1 and I have ZERO complaints at all. I love these little machines. Super stealthy and full of features.

I really like the zoom as well.Good: locking 1/8" connectors, can serve as external USB interface.
Bad: Usb connector has broken on one.  Weakness in manufacture.  Battery compartment lid also fragile.
Sony PCM-M10 has lower noise inputs, but for many situations, plug in power on the Zoom is really good.