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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: setboy on May 05, 2009, 09:38:59 PM

Title: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: setboy on May 05, 2009, 09:38:59 PM
Ok. I got off my ass and got it into college starting in the fall. So i need something to record classes, seminars etc.
What I need is a recorder that has mics, that can be used in some "under cover" taping along with my at933s, can be hooked up to a SBD with good results and it's got to be able to be hooked up to a mac.
I think i can get together about $300.
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: Belexes on May 05, 2009, 09:41:22 PM
I am not sure about the Mac issue, but I'd give the R-09HR a good look.  It's about $300 at Buy.com.
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: setboy on May 05, 2009, 09:46:26 PM
I am not sure about the Mac issue, but I'd give the R-09HR a good look.  It's about $300 at Buy.com.

The mac part of this is what keeps getting in my way.
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: darby on May 06, 2009, 12:14:30 AM
I use a card reader to transfer my files onto my Mac
it is way quicker than running out of the unit
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: setboy on May 06, 2009, 01:08:26 AM
I use a card reader to transfer my files onto my Mac
it is way quicker than running out of the unit

How big are those? If i can get one that is small so i can take it on the go, than that would be a great thing.
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B) on May 06, 2009, 01:19:44 AM
R-09HR + Card Reader (about $10)...done.

I honestly can't think of any other option...unless you want a bigger recorder.

Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: John Willett on May 06, 2009, 04:53:01 AM
R-09HR + Card Reader (about $10)...done.

I honestly can't think of any other option...unless you want a bigger recorder.


The Olympus LS-10 is smaller and easier to hold and about the same price.

The R-09HR was also on my short-list, but I went for the Olympus LS-10 in the end.
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: sunjan on May 06, 2009, 06:18:56 AM
The R-09HR was also on my short-list, but I went for the Olympus LS-10 in the end.

If the OP is going to tape with external mics (like the AT933 mentioned), the mic-in is much better on the R09-HR than on the LS-10. The line-in on the LS-10 requires a very hot signal too, so less versatility in the field:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,116964.msg1563230.html#msg1563230

Like others said, don't sweat it with the Mac connection. If you're only going to connect it for file transfers, just get one of these:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/419pcWxu2SL._SL500_AA280_.jpg)
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: rjp on May 06, 2009, 09:05:29 AM
the mic-in is much better on the R09-HR than on the LS-10. The line-in on the LS-10 requires a very hot signal too

The issue with the LS-10 mic in isn't noise, but bass roll-off. Even with the low-cut switch off, there's still a roll-off... but if you have bass-heavy mics like my SP-TFB-2s, this isn't really a problem in my experience. It would be a problem with a lot of the small cardioids or hypers, though.

With line-in, though, you definitely need a hot signal - and even then you need to crank the input level to 10 for unity gain. My E-MU 0404 USB in analog monitor mode can drive it without problems (set output level to about 6.5), but when I plugged the LS-10 into my stereo's tape out to transfer some vinyl to digital, the stereo didn't really have enough oomph - at least the input is clean enough that the transfer could be boosted in post after recording in 24 bits.
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: darby on May 06, 2009, 10:05:35 AM
I use a card reader to transfer my files onto my Mac
it is way quicker than running out of the unit
How big are those? If i can get one that is small so i can take it on the go, than that would be a great thing.

I bought mine at a local camera shop for about $20
it's nice being able to transfer a 3 hour show in less than 10 minutes
the FW connection on my P2 would take over 20 minutes :o
plus it can read 4 different types of cards

http://www.amazon.com/ProMaster-Universal-Memory-Card-Reader/dp/B000S5RCYE
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: setboy on May 06, 2009, 10:11:06 AM
Thanks guys! It looks like i got to get my ass out to buy a card reader and be done with it.
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: page on May 06, 2009, 11:53:43 AM
I use a card reader to transfer my files onto my Mac
it is way quicker than running out of the unit

ditto, I do the same on my fr2-le and osx.

From my experience, some profs would allow you to record the lecture, while many wouldn't. Now, stealthing in lectures is easy, just don't sit in the first 8 rows. Stealthing in a class under 10 people (upper level workgroup style) is where it gets more difficult but still very doable with the appropriate backpack (or creative xacto cutting).
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: setboy on May 06, 2009, 12:17:24 PM
I use a card reader to transfer my files onto my Mac
it is way quicker than running out of the unit

ditto, I do the same on my fr2-le and osx.

From my experience, some profs would allow you to record the lecture, while many wouldn't. Now, stealthing in lectures is easy, just don't sit in the first 8 rows. Stealthing in a class under 10 people (upper level workgroup style) is where it gets more difficult but still very doable with the appropriate backpack (or creative xacto cutting).


Have no fears. I know what i'm doing 8)
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: bgalizio on May 06, 2009, 12:21:55 PM
Card reader with your FR2LE should work fine. But, FYI, the Edirol R-09HR works just fine with a Mac.
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: JD on May 06, 2009, 12:44:54 PM
I used my R09 for recording classes, worked great. I'd record on the lowest bitrate MP3 and get like a whole semester on an 8gb card.
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: Belexes on May 06, 2009, 01:54:34 PM
I wish they had flash recorders (w/internal mics) when I was going to school in the early 90s.  :( 
I couldn't bring myself to use those small micro cassette machines and my analog concert recording equipment was strictly for that, concert recording.
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: Carlos E. Martinez on May 06, 2009, 03:40:53 PM
What's the problem in using a Tascam DR-07 for this application?

For around $200 you can buy the unit plus a 16Gb SDHC card from Buy.com.

Wouldn't it satisfy, with excess, all your needs?
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: setboy on May 06, 2009, 04:48:56 PM
What's the problem in using a Tascam DR-07 for this application?

For around $200 you can buy the unit plus a 16Gb SDHC card from Buy.com.

Wouldn't it satisfy, with excess, all your needs?

Tascam's were the first things i was looking at. But then i read something about not being able to hook it up to a mac, so started to look for something else. Now that I know more about these card readers i don't care if it can hook up to a mac or not.

Thanks everyone.
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: deedee on May 06, 2009, 04:55:24 PM
ro9 usb -> mac osx desktop.
quick and simple - never fails.
Macs are great at everything - come on, haven't you been watching the ads?
Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: gearscout on May 06, 2009, 05:35:24 PM
Consider the Olympus LS-10, too.  For a balance, it's smaller and lighter with some pretty impressive numbers on its recordings.

Title: Re: I need a over kill recorder for recording classes
Post by: intpseeker on May 07, 2009, 07:37:37 PM
Get the recorder for grabbing concerts/shows. If you record the lecture so you can get better notes, you sit in class 3 hours/week and listen to the tapes for another 3 hours (times 4 or 5 classes). Unless you are one dedicated mf, you end up with a boatload of lectures never listened to.

I know.

YMMV