Topic: Live recording micro recorder : Please accept a newbie that need help !

[Papoola]

Hello pros'! When I was 16 was happily recording every venue I was giving using one of the first European imported sony recorder (very small for that time, the model with the sliding batteries chassis)

Now, with the help of a holiday trip I wanna make it again.
As not many days are here in between the departure I probably made the mistake of ordering the new hypersmall Soundman DR2. Choose that for price but now realize need an external mic to record decently.
They have a sort of ear/mic that does not excite me enough. I would like a unit that I can have in my trousers pocket and easily recorded in clubs where it is supposed not to record. So being discrete is a must.

What shall I do ? Just get the OKM I mikes (but they say it should be positioned over a table, hard for me in that conditions) or just send it back and get a edirol 09 ? Zoom H4 seems to big for the use, isn't?
I wanna record acoustic music+vocals and the edirol price is borderline, but you know, I wanna make it faultless.
Thanks so much

[gratefulphish]

^^^

What Moke said.  Maybe a Microtrack 24/96, with some of Chris Church's mics and battery box.  Also check the Yard Sale section for used gear.

[boojum]

I have used the OKM II's with great success.  It is hard to beat them at the price.  And for you they are local.  That is important for support. 

[Papoola]

If I understood you guys correctly, I am better buying the cheaper Soundman DR2 and adding Church mic's than get the edirol 09 and use it with its internal mics, right?
Thanks

[Nick's Picks]

you got it.
better mics = better recordings

although....the r9 internal mics ain't no slouch in the world of "cheap mics".

I'd also check out the Zoom H2 w/its built in microphone array.  it is designed for music, not ENG..and might actually sound good.  I've never heard one, but I plan on getting one to play with.

[willndmb]

there are 3 or 4 microtracks fs in the yard
good prices on them imo
don't let early reviews scare you, the new firmwares are great
the ONLY downside is the seemless 2gb file split
on the flipside it has digi in so if you upgrade to a pre with coax out you can use that too

[Arni99]

DON´T buy the DR2!!!!
lotsa problems as the firmware is absolutely ridiculous and it´s NOT able to record in uncompressed WAV although it´s said in the manual etc.
some german guys tested the dr2 in the german minidisc-forum and problems is ALL they can report about .

for silent stuff get an SONY-MZ-RH1(excellent preamp!) and for loud stuff an RH1 or an r09 or microtrack 24/96 or an mr1.....or for low budget but great results and refurbished rockboxed iriver h120/h140 from "roadpal"...ebay shop.).
for silent stuff you can also use the r09 or mt24/96 or mr1 but use an external low-noise preamp then....

[nameloc01]

DON´T buy the DR2!!!!
lotsa problems as the firmware is absolutely ridiculous and it´s NOT able to record in uncompressed WAV although it´s said in the manual etc.
some german guys tested the dr2 in the german minidisc-forum and problems is ALL they can report about .

for silent stuff get an SONY-MZ-RH1(excellent preamp!) and for loud stuff an RH1 or an r09 or microtrack 24/96 or an mr1.....or for low budget but great results and refurbished rockboxed iriver h120/h140 from "roadpal"...ebay shop.).
for silent stuff you can also use the r09 or mt24/96 or mr1 but use an external low-noise preamp then....

the sony hi-mds are great for all around. for softer situations go >mic in.. for loud ones go > line in.
trust me, you're not going to overload the >line in amp.