Author Topic: Best digital recorder under $150 (Read 7158 times)

DaveH · « **on:** December 01, 2010, 12:50:28 PM »

Okay, I think I'm finally ready to make the jump to a digital recorder. I looked into the sony pcm-m10 but it is still out of my budget. That being said, my budget is $150 and I'm still trying to make the decision between either the zoom hr1 and the multitude of tascam models. I like to keep low profile and if possible would like to bypass a battery box, although I already have one if needed. My mic is a ca-1 and from past responses was told this would work fine with something like the tascam dr 7. Of late most of my recordings have been my kids concerts, bluegrass, and country shows, although I still like to get to the occasional rock/metal show.

Basically, I'd like to get a few varying opinions and who has the best deals and service. (I know from past experience sound professionals has some good deals, but now I'll have the money to do this.) Keeping my fingers crossed with the holiday specials.

jbell · « **Reply #1 on:** December 01, 2010, 03:14:54 PM »

If the sony M10 is out of your price range you may want to look into the Tascam DR07 (only records 24/48). I have seen deals lately for around $99. I would add another $50 to your budget and get the sony it would be worth it.

DaveH · « **Reply #2 on:** December 01, 2010, 05:26:52 PM »

Unfortunately my budget is $150. I've been thinking about the tascam models and the zoom h2 or h1. Concerning the many different tascam models, at they pretty much the same, just in different forms? I hear a lot about the cheap build of these models, is any one better? I'm pretty careful with the gear but do occasionally stealth.

andromedanwarmachine · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2010, 06:03:43 AM »

Hi DaveH,

I've got to tell you, without any ownership experience of either of these, that I would be going for the Tascam.

Tascam have a history of building recorders- multitracks and location machines. Zoom have a history of guitar FX pedals. The Tascam stuff will be "standard" rather than "quirky" and I would think will last.

That's my opinion anyway...

JimP

DaveH · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2010, 06:08:29 PM »

Thanks for pointing that out. Now it's just a matter of deciding on which model. I noticed the dr8 is 24 bit and 96 khz whereas the only models under a hundred are only 48 khz. But I've read the dr-8 has a pain in the but internal mic. Not that I'm planning on using it, but some say it is obtrusive.

andromedanwarmachine · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2010, 08:19:59 AM »

somebody pointed out to me that with the 96k format you are looking at twice the storage space on the media.

I think you then have to ask yourself; what length of takes are you anticipating and what kind of storage space will you need on the media? and how are you going to playback/ultimately store the material you gather...?

I don't have anything that approaches 96K myself as I'm still on Mini Disc at the moment (although I can record uncompressed) but for me, with the kind of material I am gathering which is often near silence, 96K would be very appealing...

mhlsr · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2010, 08:27:01 PM »

Try Sweetwater , great customer service, they offer 3 payment plans.-
http://www.sweetwater.com/c1006--Portable_Recorders

PeteJE · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2010, 02:07:38 AM »

I would save, beg, borrow or steal an extra $45 and get the M10. I got it for 194.95 from zzounds.com (not their listed price, but they have a price beating policy - I sent them a link to a $199 listing from a competitor and they sent me an offer at 194.95). No tax, no shipping - a true 194.95. It is worth waaay more than $45 over anything you will find in the 150 range. I am not trying to break you budget, but you are so close and the M10 is something you won't need or want to upgrade from if you want truly quality, highly portable recording.

Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B) · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2010, 04:57:38 AM »

My first small SD card recorder was the DR-07. Things I liked about it: Cheap. Things I didn't like: Batteries didn't last that long.

Then I upgraded to the M10. SOOOOO MUCH BETTER than the DR-07. Easier to operate (especially when running stealth). And the batteries last FOREVER. Also it comes with 4GB of internal memory so you can factor that into the price since you don't have to buy additional memory.

The M10 is easily twice as good. Yep it costs twice as much, but it's worth way more than 2X IMO.

Another vote for "save your pennies"

TimeBandit · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2010, 06:21:33 AM »

Got the Tascam DR-07, i run it with Sanyo Eneloops 2000 mAh so i got no problems with battery running time.

One benefit if you are using Line in, the line-in jack is not the best - the cable can get out very easy (happened to NMA Berlin on saturday to me $:-\$ ) - for comparison the jacks on Chris Churches Preamp are holding the cable very strong and good.

Another one - max. file size is 2 GB, so recording with 48k / 24 bit is limited a bit over 2 hours.

So currently the sony is the better option ..

Chuck · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2010, 07:18:54 PM »

Rockboxed iRiver iHP-120

12milluz · « **Reply #11 on:** December 04, 2010, 09:53:09 PM »

Quote from: TimeBandit on December 04, 2010, 06:21:33 AM

Got the Tascam DR-07, i run it with Sanyo Eneloops 2000 mAh so i got no problems with battery running time.

One benefit if you are using Line in, the line-in jack is not the best - the cable can get out very easy (happened to NMA Berlin on saturday to me $:-\$ ) - for comparison the jacks on Chris Churches Preamp are holding the cable very strong and good.

Another one - max. file size is 2 GB, so recording with 48k / 24 bit is limited a bit over 2 hours.

So currently the sony is the better option ..

It automatically splits at 2gb. That is a software limitation- AFAIK the M10 has the same thing- this is nothing bad. With the type of firmware and hardware these are running the max recognizable file by the system is 2gb. It seamlessly splits at 2gb and starts a new file. Shouldn't be an issue.

DaveH · « **Reply #12 on:** December 06, 2010, 05:39:54 PM »

Thanks for all the advice. I will have to wait until friday to truly know how much I have to work with. I'd really love to go with the sony but I haven't ruled out the tascam models yet. I will just have to wait and see.

DaveH · « **Reply #13 on:** December 09, 2010, 08:04:06 PM »

Just moved out of the middle ages (mini disc recorder) and went with the sony pcm-m10.

Many thanks for all the help and input, picked it up at zzounds for $194.95.

Belexes · « **Reply #14 on:** December 09, 2010, 09:07:27 PM »

Your budget was $194.95.

DaveH · « **Reply #15 on:** December 09, 2010, 09:33:14 PM »

Yes, it went up a little. After thinking about it, it made more sense to put in a few extra bucks and not be sitting there a few months from now cursing myself out. This is exactly what happened with the mini disc and to a lesser extent the giant squid mics. I think I should finally be set; CA-1 mics, church audio bat 2b battery box and the sony pcm-m10. Of course I heard the battery box is optional depending on the genre.

ArchivalAudio · « **Reply #16 on:** December 10, 2010, 03:34:13 AM »

Quote from: Belexes on December 09, 2010, 09:07:27 PM

Your budget was $194.95.

great you budget increased to over $150 - I think you'll be very happy!

DaveH · « **Reply #17 on:** December 16, 2010, 02:08:40 PM »

Just wanted to add I taped my first show yesterday worth the pcm-m10 and CA-1 mics. It was my daughters band concert and even without a battery box the sound is quite amazing. I have her chorus concert next week and possibly the high school band on sunday. Looking forward to it all, thanks for all the help and input.

andromedanwarmachine · « **Reply #18 on:** December 23, 2010, 06:15:47 AM »

Wow- that's great!!

I'm glad it's worked out for you in the end...

PeteJE · « **Reply #19 on:** December 26, 2010, 01:15:02 AM »

Quote from: DaveH on December 16, 2010, 02:08:40 PM

Just wanted to add I taped my first show yesterday worth the pcm-m10 and CA-1 mics. It was my daughters band concert and even without a battery box the sound is quite amazing. I have her chorus concert next week and possibly the high school band on sunday. Looking forward to it all, thanks for all the help and input.

Congrats. Great purchase, best value at that price point and your didn't have to break the orig. budget too badly.

DaveH · « **Reply #20 on:** December 28, 2010, 10:10:05 AM »

Suffice to say, I'm quite happy with the two concerts I recorded thus far. The second one was my daughters chorus concert so I had to set it on ten for the majority of the show. Of course the applause between songs goes over but the actual performance is quite good. Both shows I was able to run the CA-1 into the mic in, the band performance was set with the limiter on.
This brings up another question, I already have a Church Audio battery box. Would there be any need to look into one of his preamps? My recording tastes vary from bluegrass, country to metal, and of course school concerts. I'm bouncing between the idea of a preamp, a pair of cards (CA-14), or getting hit upside the head by my wife for spending too much money as is. I know chris is running some great sales until the end of the month, so it's something to consider.

Hypnocracy · « **Reply #21 on:** December 30, 2010, 04:24:13 PM »

I have a Church Pre - CA9100. I'm very happy with it...but I run a rockboxed iRiver...it doesn't have (much) of a mic preamp section...nowhere near that of the Sony if I was to guess...that said I did distort/overdrive the old Sony D8 mic Preamp with some lower sensitivity Nak Microphones back in the day...

Advantages:
Replaces Batterybox
Extra gain in low volume settings (acoustic music)
I feel that Chris uses better components in his Pre vs what goes into a $200 all in one...so better sound

Disadvantages:
Teh Wife's happiness...or lack of
Money spent on better microphones is usually better spent there than what comes behind it in the chain....

andromedanwarmachine · « **Reply #22 on:** January 01, 2011, 03:30:56 PM »

"Money spent on better microphones is usually better spent there than what comes behind it in the chain...."

really?- you think so? Would you always budget for the highest quality Mic affordable...?

And then spend less on the gear...?

JimP

12milluz · « **Reply #23 on:** January 01, 2011, 05:01:05 PM »

Quote from: andromedanwarmachine on January 01, 2011, 03:30:56 PM

"Money spent on better microphones is usually better spent there than what comes behind it in the chain...."

really?- you think so? Would you always budget for the highest quality Mic affordable...?

And then spend less on the gear...?

JimP

Yeah I wouldn't agree with that completely either. Good mics and a decent preamp can sound amazing, but great mics and a shitty preamp can sound pretty bad.