Topic: new to taping. kinda. with real gear.

[PotatoGuy]

I have taped off the board for years. then i got kicked off it by the bands i usualy tape. most of them decided they were too big to have me do that anymore. well it was more like their manager. then all i really had was a old ass 80's boom box. that worked... alright. well to get something it worked. now i'm tired of using it and want to get some mics but i have no idea what sounds good or what to do. i tried reading over stuff but i guess i cant understand what it all means.
i was thinking about getting a MD player but again i dont know anything about them or mics. i dont have a lot to spend and would like to get them soonish. a show is on this sat and i would like to tape it without the boom box. i dont even know how much MD players cost. any type of guidance would be nice. is there a place to look at stuff in a store? would radio shack have something like that? sorry to spill all over like this but i'm super clueless. kinda frustrating. 
thanks for any help anyone can give me!
If i can get something up and running i'll post the show that i tape.

[gratefulphish]

You really need to do a lot more reading, and use the search function.  MD players are okay, but most people are moving to at least budget compact flash recorders like the Microtrack 24/96.  That and maybe some of Chris Church's mics and/or preamp, or the Sound Professionals mics, might vastly improve your recording setup, especially from a boombox. 

Also check the yard sale section for used gear for sale. You can frequently find entire newbie rigs for sale, by people who are upgrading to better gear.  Make sure you have some idea of what you are doing, and what you need, before you start spending your money.

[china_rider]

Yep... What he said... MD will still work but for around the same price you can find a hard drive recorder (120) or flash for a bit more (Microtrack, R9).

While I have never used a MD I've heard numerous horror stories about swapping disks and transferring to the PC and when at a show the people with MD always seem to be scrambling to swap disks/batteries/etc at the most inconvienent parts of the show.  It's nice running the R-4 or R-9 hands off once levels are set.  If it's something you are going to use alot, in my opinion, it's worth a few extra bucks for ease of use.

[Dede2002]

Yep... What he said... MD will still work but for around the same price you can find a hard drive recorder (120) or flash for a bit more (Microtrack, R9).

While I have never used a MD I've heard numerous horror stories about swapping disks and transferring to the PC and when at a show the people with MD always seem to be scrambling to swap disks/batteries/etc at the most inconvienent parts of the show.  It's nice running the R-4 or R-9 hands off once levels are set.  If it's something you are going to use alot, in my opinion, it's worth a few extra bucks for ease of use.

I couldn't agree more with the R-09 sugestion. I've been using one of them for like 8 months and let me tell you that: I'm happy, very happy with it. I've never owned a Chris Church mic/pre, but based on what I've been told, they got be great. I use the MM HLSC-1 plus a SP bb through my R-09. To my ears, lots of detail, great dinamics and ,contrary to lots of folks around here, nice,tight and natural bass. Just my 2 cents.

[boojum]

Yep... What he said... MD will still work but for around the same price you can find a hard drive recorder (120) or flash for a bit more (Microtrack, R9).

While I have never used a MD I've heard numerous horror stories about swapping disks and transferring to the PC and when at a show the people with MD always seem to be scrambling to swap disks/batteries/etc at the most inconvienent parts of the show.  It's nice running the R-4 or R-9 hands off once levels are set.  If it's something you are going to use alot, in my opinion, it's worth a few extra bucks for ease of use.

I am on the "pro-MD" side of this.  I have not had a failure of the kind mentioned yet.  I have taped since 2002, but hot and heavy since January of this year.  I have the SONY MZ-RH1 and love it.  I like to travel light.  I can record ~6 hours PCM with what I can put into two shirt pockets: MD, mics, spare HI-MD discs.  I usually stuff it in a book bag and lug a mic stand, however.  Works way better.  If you want to check the minidisc camp, go to minidisc.org, a minidisc board.  We can't all love the same woman.  We needn't all think the same recorder is best.

Cheers

[Semayat]

Yep... What he said... MD will still work but for around the same price you can find a hard drive recorder (120) or flash for a bit more (Microtrack, R9).

While I have never used a MD I've heard numerous horror stories about swapping disks and transferring to the PC and when at a show the people with MD always seem to be scrambling to swap disks/batteries/etc at the most inconvienent parts of the show.  It's nice running the R-4 or R-9 hands off once levels are set.  If it's something you are going to use alot, in my opinion, it's worth a few extra bucks for ease of use.

I am on the "pro-MD" side of this.  I have not had a failure of the kind mentioned yet.  I have taped since 2002, but hot and heavy since January of this year.  I have the SONY MZ-RH1 and love it.  I like to travel light.  I can record ~6 hours PCM with what I can put into two shirt pockets: MD, mics, spare HI-MD discs.  I usually stuff it in a book bag and lug a mic stand, however.  Works way better.  If you want to check the minidisc camp, go to minidisc.org, a minidisc board.  We can't all love the same woman.  We needn't all think the same recorder is best.

Cheers

You can record more than 6 hours with an IHp120/140 : approximetly 14 hours PCM .wav on a 20Go hd => more useful and pratical than any other MD, like that MZ-RH1 (I used to use myself some md in the old times  )
With some AT831's mics+batt box you have the perfect rig.
And it also holds in one pocket without problems

Semayat

[Jeebas]

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,35278.0.html

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,35004.0.html

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,35002.0.html

And if you happen to feel up for that "marathon-read" - http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,69485.msg931216.html#msg931216

[livin_grateful]

still some what of a "n00b", but if u r looking for a good recorder to start off with, i suggest getting an iRiver. u can get one for around 150$.....i bought one bout 3 months, one of the best investments i have ever made.....

ps check out the new avantones ck-1s, nice par of mics with 3 caps options (cards, omni's and hypers) all round 300$ depending on what s/h options u choose....( http://www.avantelectronics.com/CK-1.htm )

lmk if u need anymore help...i will be glad to offer what i know so far.....

- fairtheewell CO.rey