Topic: Help Needed for Pocket Recorder

[spacecowboy12]

Looking into buying a new pocket recorder for smaller venues/ festivals, mainly to be used when I don't have the option for setting up a full rig. Any advice/ ideas? I am thinking of the Zoom H4N, but looking for something a lil cheaper.

[F.O.Bean]

Sony PCM-M10

[Todd R]

The Tascam DR2d, $185 retail and like the Zoom H4N can record 4 channels.

If you only need 2ch and are still spending ~$300, I'd go with the Sony M10 over the Zoom H4N.  All based on what I've read anyway, never ran either.  But I've run the Sony D50 for years and if the M10 is anything like it (sounds like it is from the posts about it), it is a very nice recorder.

Edit:  Cancel that, somehow I thought the M10 was like $300, not $230.  If you only need 2ch, go with the M10, if you want the option for 4ch in a handheld, go with the DR2d.

[rastasean]

I like the m10 as well. The dr2d seems nice but I don't have any experience with it.

[jbell]

Sony PCM-M10

[darby]

I like the m10 as well. The dr2d seems nice but I don't have any experience with it.

the first DR-2d I bought didn't get the firmware updated before I ran it... I got alittle over 35 minutes on "old" NiMHs 
the firmware apparently does help in that regard, but I still bought an Energizer XP8000
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=energizer+xp8000&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=8162154786544980287&sa=X&ei=PjMfTsrBCY-6sQPxvPhB&ved=0CFAQ8wIwAQ

then when I went to use it again, it crapped out on me
B&H Photo did send me a replacement, but I still haven't had a chance to use it since I mainly do just 2 channel recording
I do plan on using it next weekend though

[Todd R]

I just got my DR2d, so no early-adopter problems with firmware or whatever on my end.  I've only ran it a couple of times, but got 4-5 hours on a single set of 2300 mAh NiMH batteries with plenty of juice to spare after the show.  I'm partial to my Sony D50, so like Darby only really plan on running the DR2d for 4ch work.  Seems like a pretty decent recorder though, no complaints with my limited use thus far.

Darby -- if your littlebox is like mine and has both RCA and 1/8" mini out, you should run your DR2d along with your M10 for a few shows.  That way you can keep your M10 in the chain as your main recorder and still test out the DR2d.  You should try to give the DR2d a workout before the warranty runs out.

[darby]

I do have both outputs and do plan on using both recorders... plus I feel safer that way

I just got my DR2d, so no early-adopter problems with firmware or whatever on my end.  I've only ran it a couple of times, but got 4-5 hours on a single set of 2300 mAh NiMH batteries with plenty of juice to spare after the show.  I'm partial to my Sony D50, so like Darby only really plan on running the DR2d for 4ch work.  Seems like a pretty decent recorder though, no complaints with my limited use thus far.

Darby -- if your littlebox is like mine and has both RCA and 1/8" mini out, you should run your DR2d along with your M10 for a few shows.  That way you can keep your M10 in the chain as your main recorder and still test out the DR2d.  You should try to give the DR2d a workout before the warranty runs out.

[spyder9]

Sony PCM-M10

[spacecowboy12]

Thanks for all the feedback!