Topic: JB3 versus DAT recorders

[moby78]

Hi, could anybody tell me, which stuff is better? JB3 or DAT recorders? I haven´t heard any show taped by JB3, so I don´t know ...

[Nick Graham]

I hate to be "that guy" and tell you to use the search function, but this topic has probably been covered more than any other in the last 2 years.

But, to answer your question - there are obvious pros and cons for both. As for sound quality, which I think was the basis for your question, if your recording using either device's digital input (DAT - S/PDIF, JB3 - Optical), it should make no difference at all, as it's all just 1s and 0s. If you're planning on going analog in to either, it's debatable - let your ears decide.

[spyder9]

Go here, this should help.  The Archive can answer a ton of questions.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=29057.0

[Brian Skalinder]

Ahhh...a newb.  Where to begin?  Why...the Where To Begin forum, of course!

[moby78]

Ok ...However, this question is most important for me as a taper ... I need a small portable stuff not to have problems with security at entrance, so is JB3 so small that I could put it into my pants not to be caught by security due to it?

[Evil Taper]

It's the size of a discman cd player.  Many many people crotch these and don't get busted, I've done it plenty of times.  Great piece of gear for stealth taping because theres no tapes or discs to worry about switching or filling up.

[moby78]

And how much does it cost? I´d like to have a cheaper equipment, cause I spent a lot of money for two MD recorders and the results are good, but not always. So, how much do you think is a new and used JB3?

[moby78]

...and do the JB3 recordings really sound as good as the DAT ones?

[jeromejello]

it is all digital.... jb3 can record .wav @ 16bit / 48 which is on par with dat.

obviously the jb3 can do adc and gain, but you can get another box for that, or not, depending on your budget and stealth desires.

plan on about 200 for a good used 20gb jb3... but you may find it for less.

faq u

[Ray76]

Ahhh...a newb.  Where to begin?  Why...the Where To Begin forum, of course!

LMAO Brian+T

[Brian Skalinder]

...and do the JB3 recordings really sound as good as the DAT ones?

Digital-in, they sound identical.  Analog-in, some think the JB3 sounds as good as DAT, others do not.  You should decide for yourself:  I've hosted an analog-in comp before of the NJB3 v Sony D100, and since this question pops up often enough I've now posted a couple snippets in TS Reference.

Info
Source 1
Source 2

After listening, PM me to indicate which source you prefer and find out which source is JB3 and which is DAT.

And how much does it cost?

They're not available new, unless you luck out on EBay.  Check the Yard Sale forum for an indication of the going price.

[Genghis Cougar Mellen Khan]

And how much does it cost? I´d like to have a cheaper equipment, cause I spent a lot of money for two MD recorders and the results are good, but not always. So, how much do you think is a new and used JB3?

If you're looking to improve your recordings, the capture device isn't where I'd start for improvement.

Take into account these factors:

- Size
- Ease of use (ESP if you're stealthing)
- Reliability/Repair Costs
- Record lengths
- Media cost (DAT not applicable for the JB3)
- internal A/D (unless you're using an external A/D)

[Kevin]

my perfonal preference is the DAT an M1 is even smaller than the JB3 yet a little more expensive.  depending on your preamp or A/D you might to get some sort of converter box (ex. the Hosa or any other optical to coax converter) but if you have an optical out than this will not be a problem.  The 722 or 744 would be ideal 

[Evil Taper]

If you want better recordings get better mics.  Don't blame the recorder because the tape doesn't sound spectacular, it's more than likely the mics or what's between the mics and the recorder.  The JB3 gets lower initial levels than a dat is capable of because the ADC is a different voltage or something like that.  That's my ONLY complaint about the JB3.  There's no tapes/discs to buy, 6 hours record time on 2 rechargeable batteries, bit perfect transfers via usb/firewire to your pc.  The ADC is the only lame thing about the JB3 and of course it's size to some, but that's up to you.

[moby78]

If you want better recordings get better mics.  Don't blame the recorder because the tape doesn't sound spectacular, it's more than likely the mics or what's between the mics and the recorder.  The JB3 gets lower initial levels than a dat is capable of because the ADC is a different voltage or something like that.  That's my ONLY complaint about the JB3.  There's no tapes/discs to buy, 6 hours record time on 2 rechargeable batteries, bit perfect transfers via usb/firewire to your pc.  The ADC is the only lame thing about the JB3 and of course it's size to some, but that's up to you.

A friend of mine that usually makes  very good recordings told me to buy a better mic(s) first, as well. I use Sony ECM 719 mic, which is good, but not the best ...