Topic: sound device suggestions needed for a non-pro user.

[missing]

hey everyone --
i'm headed to the baltics to see my friend singing in a concert and wanted to archive the experience on a decent hand-held audio device for my own personal use.  i've previously tried using my creative zen MP3 player for such things, but the recording was poor quality - infact, terrible.  i'm no pro at sound recording so just want something that is easy to use and will do the job of giving a good sound quality on playback....can anyone make some suggestions on devices?

many thanks and i hope you are all well! 

ingrid

[digifish_music]

hey everyone --
i'm headed to the baltics to see my friend singing in a concert and wanted to archive the experience on a decent hand-held audio device for my own personal use.  i've previously tried using my creative zen MP3 player for such things, but the recording was poor quality - infact, terrible.  i'm no pro at sound recording so just want something that is easy to use and will do the job of giving a good sound quality on playback....can anyone make some suggestions on devices?

many thanks and i hope you are all well! 

ingrid

The biggest impacts on recording quality (assuming you are using a digital recorder) are generally -


1. Microphone placement. If you can get close to a performance it's going to sound generally great. The mics on recorders also will have a particular arrangement that will affect the stereo image. A $5000 rig in a bad location is going to sound worse than a $300 recorder in a great location.
2. Microphone type/design. If the mic is hissy it will suck during quiet parts.
3. Mic pre-amplifier quality. If the mic preamp is hissy it will suck during the quiet parts.
4. Digital recorder quality. Most D/A converters are all but indistinguishable for most field-recording applications.

Generally any digital recorder fed a good quality signal is going to do a good job. The questions to ask yourself is do you want your mics on the recorder or separate?

If you are looking for an on-the-recorder solution then 1 to 4 above become correlated, I would suggest you check out...

1. Sony D-50 http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/2008/01/10/sony-pcm-d50-recorder-review.html
2. Zoom H4n http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1994
3. Edirol R09HR http://www.edirol.net/products/en/R-09HR/

The nice thing about any of these is that they will all make great recordings when you get the placement right. Later you can always add external mics/preamps and up the quality to full pro, these recorders won't limit you.

I use a Sound Devices MixPre + Edirol R09HR + Professional mics OR some cheapie binaural mics I made myself (direct into the R09HR), for capturing field-recordings in public spaces where stealth/mobility is required. I don't use the internal mics much, although this field-recording does and sounds great IMO.

digifish

[missing]

thanks for the info! this all sounds a bit complicated.  are these things discreet and easy to use? (i'll be a bit lost at setting the settings etc) and where would be the best (and cheapest) place online to pick one up?  think i'm looking to the Edirol R09HR - it comes with standard 64mb (4hrs recording time) built in memory right? but it could hold more audio with a memory card? the downside seems to be that it requires batteries when out on the road.  there's not plug battery charger option.  sorry - i'm such a dumb ass at this!
thanks for your help!
ingrid

[digifish_music]

thanks for the info! this all sounds a bit complicated.  are these things discreet and easy to use? (i'll be a bit lost at setting the settings etc) and where would be the best (and cheapest) place online to pick one up?  think i'm looking to the Edirol R09HR - it comes with standard 64mb (4hrs recording time) built in memory right? but it could hold more audio with a memory card? sorry - i'm such a dumb ass at this!
thanks for your help!
ingrid

These things (all mentioned above) all are very straight forward to use once you have them in your hands, turn on, press record, adjust the levels. That's it.

The R09HR is an excellent choice, small and portable, nice quality preamps and nice internal mics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs6UwZRa0x0

The 512 Meg (not 64) the R09HR comes with is a supplied SD card =

320 kbps MP3 = 3hours:42min
44.1 kHz WAV = 1hour:41

4 GB SD cards are only about $20 nowdays =

44.1 kHz/16 bit @ 6 hours 46 minutes

Best place depends on what country you are in. eBay is global

digifish

[missing]

would this do the job? (and is it normal for these devices to need batteries when out on the road? - no plug in battery charger? :-/) - btw i'm in the uk. and i can do the "switch it on" and "hit the record button" but as for "setting the settings" - this is where i'll be lost.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Edirol-R-09HR-64-MB-4-Hours-Handheld-Digital-Voice_W0QQitemZ160330643361QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioVisualElectronics_PortableAudio_DictaphonesDictationMachines?hash=item160330643361&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

[digifish_music]

would this do the job? (and is it normal for these devices to need batteries when out on the road? - no plug in battery charger? :-/) - btw i'm in the uk. and i can do the "switch it on" and "hit the record button" but as for "setting the settings" - this is where i'll be lost.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Edirol-R-09HR-64-MB-4-Hours-Handheld-Digital-Voice_W0QQitemZ160330643361QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioVisualElectronics_PortableAudio_DictaphonesDictationMachines?hash=item160330643361&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

That looks like the ticket

It comes with a great (pair) of manuals. I don't think you will have too much trouble.

And you can always ask here. After making the settings for the first time (internal clock, set the recording mode - MP3 or WAV etc) you won't have to do that again. You will probably find the recording level doesn't even need touching (after the first time you set it) if you are recording similar things.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7EiiZRvuHM

Batteries, most of these recorders use AA's and don't recharge on-board. A pack of 4 AA batteries/rechargeable will last about 8-12 hours of recording. 4-6 hours per pair (it uses 2).

Its common on this sort of gear (pro/consumer = prosumer) to have replaceable batteries as you can always find AAs when you are out and about. Not always true you can find a power-point to charge from. And if you need to recharge your internals in the machine, it may be out of action...this way, swap and keep recording. I agree tho, it would be nice if they recharged the AA's.

I use rechargeable AA's in mine (Duracell or Energizer)

digifish

[missing]

digifish - you're a star ok, gonna grab me one of these babies.  thank you so much for your help.  i may well be messaging you guys from the baltics though for settings help.  i don't wanna screw this up.
thanks again!
ingrid

[digifish_music]

digifish - you're a star ok, gonna grab me one of these babies.  thank you so much for your help.  i may well be messaging you guys from the baltics though for settings help.  i don't wanna screw this up.
thanks again!
ingrid

If you practice with it before you go, you will have no problems. Indeed pop back when you have it and we can give you advice on settings for recording a vocal performance.

digifish

[su6oxone]

i may well be messaging you guys from the baltics though for settings help.  i don't wanna screw this up.
thanks again!
ingrid

I would strongly suggest trying it out before your big day... like at a local club or venue with a no-name act, just to get used to it.  If you don't test it out before your main event, something is likely to go wrong. 

[missing]

i'll be seeing the same show on 6 occasions when i'm in estonia (yeah "6"- he's an amazing friend and artist - what can i say? lol) it's in a theatre, and i'll be sat somewhere in the 1st 3 rows, so, HOPEFULLY i'll get it right once, atleast (with your help).  fingers crossed. 
thanks guys!
ingrid

[boojum]

Ingrid - with six copies you can pick the best of each for the final mix.  You just have to download Audacity now and get to know that.  It is an audio editor.  If you can run the recorder you can use Audacity.  It's free.

Have fun!

[digifish_music]

Ingrid - with six copies you can pick the best of each for the final mix.  You just have to download Audacity now and get to know that.  It is an audio editor.  If you can run the recorder you can use Audacity.  It's free.

Have fun!

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

[missing]

hey guys! thanks for the tips - i just 'won' this on ebay for £222.00 
rock 'n' roll!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180352267314

[digifish_music]

hey guys! thanks for the tips - i just 'won' this on ebay for £222.00 
rock 'n' roll!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180352267314

That's great...we will be here to answer questions when you have them.

digifish

[missing]

this is such a cool and welcoming forum - thank you so much