Topic: Microtrack II -- can you use it as an all-in-one device at a live concert?

[antsyashley]

Hey y'all. I posted this in another thread, but thought I might get more replies here.

This is my first post. I am BRAND new to taping. In fact, I am not even a taper yet. I am learning and doing research quickly so I can get some equipment before a show at the end of January. I need some stealth gear and I'm very interested in the Microtrack II. As a beginner, I don't want to buy much just to get started. I was wondering if I can do it all with just this one device? How good will a concert sound if I record it using only the MT2 and its mic that comes with it? No extra mics, no extra power, just the MT2. Does anyone have a sample recording of the PURE MT2 live concert experience? Or any input?

I've found it new on ebay for about $230. Does anyone know a better price? Or perhaps I should check for a used one at the yard sale.

I know this is probably a simple and basic question, but I appreciate any thoughts! Thanks!!

[J.Maye]

I dont know anyone who uses it as an all in one. Im guessing the provided mics wont be able to handle the high SPL of most live rock concerts, but it might be ok for something quiter.

There have been some people satisfied with their zoom H4 pulls. About the same price point. If I was looking for a budget all-in-1, I would look at the zoom. There are probably some recordings on archive.org, you can decide if the quality is what you are looking for or not.

Welcome, and good luck. 

[taperwheeler]

Welcome to taping!  I can offer a lil' insight into the MT2 as I've been running mine for just over a year.  A lot of people knock it because: A. internal battery  B. Noisy preamp

For me, I've learned to use it and am happy with it.  I bought it primarily to use with my main rig to capture digital spdif output from my v3.  With that as a 'bit bucket' it works flawlessly.  I've recently been working out the kinks of also using it to capture analog.
 
For starters, I don't think that you'll want to use the included t-mic.  If you're recording loud shows, the mic will overload and result in a distorted recording.  Check out church audio and sound professionals for some good mini mic solutions that are inexpensive and well worth the additional cost.  For any of the handhelds I would suggest using some type of external mic upgrade.

An issue with any mic will be whether-or-not they get sufficient power to make a quality recording.  9V of power is typical for the mini mics, church's may require less.  The mt2 like most handhelds offers 5v plug-in power.  A 9v battery box will remedy this.

My suggestion to you...pick up some church audio cards and a battery box to go along with the mt2.

Let me know if I can help you further.

[taperwheeler]

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,110558.0.html

This is a steal...good 16 bit intro recorder.  Spend the same you would buying this plus decent mics...think you'd be much happier.

[jeromejello]

i wouldnt suggest the mt2 for an "all in one"... bit bucket, maybe.

get an r-09 (around $250 used) and then drop about the same on some mics [at853/933/church audio/ or borrow john dude's] and a battery box (or better yet, a pre amp)  and you should be happy with your results...

you will be able to enjoy the r-09 well after the intro stage, and if you get a fairly decent set of mics, you should be good for a while.

i would venture >$500

edit to add:
here is a set of at 853s, shortened to stealth lenght, the card caps, and a sp pre (not the best, but should do nicely)... for $230. not affiliated with the seller.

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,112794.0.html

[antsyashley]

Thanks for all the replies! So, if there is a choice between recording with one device and not recording at all, will the MT2 suffice? Or is it completely not worth it?

[rhinowing]

if you're going to all-in-one route, go for an r-09.

[sunjan]

Thanks for all the replies! So, if there is a choice between recording with one device and not recording at all, will the MT2 suffice? Or is it completely not worth it?

Being your first show, I agree that setting up mics and cabling/powering/external boxes could be too stressful.
So if you're dead set against external mics, I agree that R-09 is the best bet for your money ($295 new):
http://www.ccisolutions.com/StoreFront/EDR-R-09.prod?origin=GoogleBase

Or if you want to keep it on an even tighter budget ($130), H2 does give decent results with the internal mics:
http://www.audiolines.com/product.php?productid=18906

Unless you have any specific reason for it, drop the idea of getting an MTII for your first pull. It's a great bit bucket, but to benefit from it you should use external mics and AD. IMHO, the JB3 suggested above is out for the same reason.

After wetting your feet, you can build on your R-09 rig with externals and spend more money. But you have a greater chance of succeeding with the first show if you keep it simple.

[antsyashley]

It seems folks on the archive who have recorded with the very inexpensive Zoom H2 are getting pretty decent recordings all by itself. At a price of $160 new, it might be the best way to get my feet wet. I'm a student! No income here! Tight-a$$ budget! For a little while longer. I love the idea of mics and pre-amps and all that good stuff; I just think it will have to wait a while. Perhaps the Zoom H2 is the way to go?!

[Gr8ful98]

Ash,
  Go for the  R-09(check the yard sale)...I've seen many folks use it as an "all in one"(but I haven't heard a recording)...hit me up, I've got some external mics/battery box you can borrow so you can learn about how it all works. 

[fmaderjr]

R-09 with its built in mics would make a horrible all in one. I tried the built ins once to record a friend's cover band and the sound was immediately noticeable as way way worse than using an inexpensive mic such as CA-11s. Not even enjoyable to listen to.

If you let Chris Church turn it into a Micsketeer by installing CA-11 card or omni caps, it's a whole different story. Sounds every bit as good for recording loud stuff as using a battery box and external CA-11's and will not distort at ear crushingly loud volumes. For very quiet stuff, you still need externals & a preamp or it will be noisy due to the R-09's preamp.

I gather that the H2 would be a far better choice than the R-09 if you are recording stuff that is not too loud. However for loud stuff, as is well documented here, you will probably have problems with clipping.

Way better than the H2, now for $280 shipped on E-Bay, would be the Olympus LS-10. Several respected taperssection members have recommended it for point & shoot stuff when you only want to carry a small all in one. Others have recommended the Tascam DR-1 which is considerably cheaper ($200 on E-Bay) and also, I think, a lot better than the H2 for recording live concerts.

[sunjan]

If you let Chris Church turn it into a Micsketeer by installing CA-11 card or omni caps, it's a whole different story.

...doing research quickly so I can get some equipment before a show at the end of January.

Given the timeframe, ordering a Church-mod R-09 is most likely out of the question, unless you find it used on the YS or gear loaner program.

If you know for sure that the upcoming venue/gig is loud, go with fmaderjr's suggestions!
The R-09 would provide a convenient upgrade path for future gigs. But if the first gig is important for you, it's true that DR-1 has better stock internal mics.

[dorrcoq]

I'm a student!  Tight-a$$.

Helloooooooo, Ashley!

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

I'm going to go a different way with this.

You might want to hit the southern thread in the teams forum and find out where some of those guys will be taping, then go check out their rigs and have them show you gear and how to set up.  If the show you want to record is important to you, you can probably find someone who already has gear and will come to a show just to record.  The dirty south guys get out to a lot of shows and might already be going.

If you just have to buy a recorder, I have an MT2 and it's OK.  The internal battery won't make it through any show I record.  External power isn't expensive but it's one more thing to manage at the show.  If you really want a MT2, get a used one from someone here.  If you are thinking long term, R09-HR.

Also check the gear loaner thread.  You can probably find some mics there and that would let you focus on buying a recorder now and trying some different mics before committing the extra money.


edit:

Finally read the rest of the thread.  Get a recorder and take Gr8ful98 up on his offer.

[bugg100]

Where are you located?