^^^ I wouldn't recommend leaving your gear completely unattended, even if it is only an inexpensive recorder...It would take seconds to pocket.
Good advice and agreed -
I am unfortunately one of those who does do a lot of unattended recordings
on a recorder that's even smaller and more pocketable - the Teac VR-10
(which is tiny shown below next to an AA battery, and the Tascam DR-07MkII about the same size as the DR-05 in question).
However mostly the recorder is usually "next" to me, or occasionally (at worst) in sight
- so although there is still a risk - it's less than one would imagine.
I am inattentive - because I am there primarily to take photos.
You should also think about what sort of quality you want out of your recordings. If you're only interested in a souvenir for yourself, then the internals on these Tascams might be sufficient. Otherwise, you might want to consider other options.
Again "mostly" true.
I do only record for my own usage so it is a kind of "souvenir".
BUT the results can be surprisingly good enough to draw these kind of comments:
(all from this long running thread:
Tascam/Teac VR-10 Digital Recorder)
Please, not for even a split second am I even dare claiming these internal mic recordings are as good as proper microphones set up with good recording equipment - but.....
First a recording that is not mine - but was the one that convinced me of the sound quality of this tiny inexpensive recorder on its internal mics:
Terrific live recording by member cd2go using the VR-10 internals
linked in Reply #13 - from April 02, 2011 in thread
New Tascam DR-03 competes with zoom H1- cd2go's link to Archive.org (so it's free and legal)
http://www.archive.org/details/gpn2011-03-09.teacvr10.cd2go.flac24That's a damn fine recording!
and
Damn, that sounds amazing. Defined and wide sound, zero distortion. Obviously very little stereo separation, but then again it's to be expected with L&R mics positioned that close. Stereo separation is not something I consider precisely "essential" so I can def. live with it. The recorder must have been mounted in an ideal place, although there is enough (in amount and close distance) audience sound to assume it wasn't much above the taper's head I think. Also, Irving Plaza is a standing-only venue so no chance of the taper being seated - he must have been among the audience or back at the sound desk.
Anyway, I simply have SERIOUS problems believing that recording to have been made with only those tiny internals. It sounds just too good for a $30 recorder. Even with ideal location and good moderate PA levels & SPL, I think it's just too good.
I might just get this. It's such small money that I've got not much to lose, and judging by that recordings, an awful lot to win. Thanks
Now some of my casual unattended recordings -
please see
Reply #73 for full details -
Download FolderHoly shit, that sounds nifty
Amazing Blue Rondo by the way, what an amazing piece it is.
EVERYONE should visit this thread and listen to some of that recordings, it would help a lot to change the general assumption that internal mics are always, invariably, shit.
You can see in
Reply #75detail of how being "unattended" resulted in very low recording levels
- but even then it still drew that quoted remark above.
another recording - (please see:
Reply #88 )
Download (4.83MB)WOWZA!!! I am ALWAYS impressed with that cheap lil recorder. Sounds like a great recording with external mics and preamp! Id take that any day of the week!
I think it has a lot to do with location, location, location -
being small compact and all-in-one - the recorder can be placed in places where full recording gear cannot.
All my recording tend to be right up front, near where I am taking photos.
I think most will be pleasantly surprised at how good recordings can be from internal mics.
One might say these are just "lucky" recordings and internal mics are still mostly "cr@p"
A bad gear with excellent conditions will *never* get you an excellent recording, IMO. So the gear is good You only have to get the best conditions and the good recording will happen eventually.
Well put -
on any gear - one only has to get one single superb result to be able to say its performance is good
- as you pointed out, it's impossible for bad gear to do that.
I'll give the analogy in photography -
most understand the lens is one of the most critical components -
It doesn't need for every single photo to be superb to prove any lens' IQ (image quality)
- it only needs one really technically good photo to prove the IQ -
as it is impossible for a poor lens to do that.
So that's why I said that recording of Grace Potter by cd2go proves how good the VR-10 and internals can be -
(given the right circumstances and operator)
Thanks