Topic: Simultaneous mic-in and line-in?

[Tisbo]

Is there a two-channel hand held deck that allows simultaneous input from the line-in and mic-in ports? I checked the owners manuals for the PCM-M10 and the R-05 and with those decks, one takes priority and disables the other.

[jagraham]

Not sure if I get your question, you want a two-channel recorder that can record both line in and mic in at the same time?  Most handhelds have stereo input, so line in + mic in would be 4 channel.  Or did you mean a recorder that has the ability to record with 2 channels that also does 4 channel with line + mic in together?  Either way, check out the Tascam DR-2d on musiciansfriend for $90 USD.  I just got one and haven't used the 4 channel feature but others on here have.  You can record in 2 channel from the line in or 4 channel with line + mic or line + internals.  Check the DR-2d thread for more.  I believe the Tascam DR-4 does the same as well.

[Tisbo]

Jagraham,
In fact what I'm looking for is a deck that will take a mono input from mic-in and a mono input from line-in to make a two-track recording; something I can use with two external sources at once. Thanks...

[jagraham]

Oh that makes sense.  Not sure if I can help with that.  If your cables can term to 1/8", you could always record the two tracks on the DR-2d which would of course be 2 stereo files, but then just mix the two mono tracks together in audacity.  There's probably a better solution for that though so I would wait for someone else to chime in.

[Tisbo]

In fact I have a DR-2d I got used on eBay and it's giving me trouble. Seems that anything of similar form factor is two channel. I'd like to continue running mics through two external pres and record a channel from each pre.

[George2]

http://www.sounddevices.com/products/mixpred/

[danny3]

While I admit being unclear about what you wish to attempt, my thought is to use an adapter that converts two mono jacks to a stereo plug.

[Tisbo]

I think you're right.

[ScoobieKW]

stereo adapter idea with 2 notes.

1. Level adjustment at the preamps in conjunction with the recorder preamp.
2. Split stereo track in software, adjust panning as needed for each track

[aaronji]

Maybe a DR100mkII, PMD661, LS100 or the like. PFAs as needed. One mic per input. A little larger, but has some big advantages (balanced, separate gain, phantom)...

I'm curious what you intend to record...

[Gutbucket]

In fact what I'm looking for is a deck that will take a mono input from mic-in and a mono input from line-in to make a two-track recording; something I can use with two external sources at once. Thanks...

To do that you just need a 'Y' cable with two mono inputs to one stereo output (2 x mono > TRS stereo mini plug) into any handheld stereo recorder's line or mic input.

The DR2d is unique in being able to use both inputs simultaneously.  You can record those to two seperate stereo files, or a single stereo file with the mix balance determined as you like on a menu setting (I think, I never use it that way).

[Tisbo]

Thanks, Gutbucket. I was thinking of recording from two sources, one that outputs at line level and the other at mic level. To feed into the deck through a stereo plug, I'd have to amplify or attentuate one of the signals.

Aaronji, I was thinking soundboard line-in and then mic(s) mic-in for audience and room. But now I realize the soundboard output is going to be two channels already. Never mind. I'll think about it some more.

[Gutbucket]

Use the DR2d.  It can do everything you want if you wire up (or buy) some input cable adapters. 

You can input both a mic-level signal and line level signal at the same time.  You can either have those signals recorded independantly to one stereo file as Left and Right channels OR mix them together to mono (dual mono, same information on the Left and Right channels of a stereo file)  OR record them seperately to two dual mono files (or one dual mono file for the mic and one 2-channel stereo file for the SBD).  You can do all of those options, you just need the correct cables to get you there for some of them.

[Tisbo]

Gutbucket, I've got the DR2d, I've got the cables, It's perfect... when it works. As I was just discussing on the "DR2d Part 2" thread, I was getting the writing error message (actually, it says "file error") and losing files. I recorded again yesterday with the same 8gb card, fully formatted: disaster! Maybe some of the files are salvageable: they list as many megabytes but when I open them in Audacity, all I get are flat lines. Then I had an important lecture to record last night with people counting on me. Took money out of the bank to buy an R-05, but the local music store had them backordered! So I soldiered on with the DR2d. Put in my "El Cheapo" 2gb card. Filled it up (I was rolling Dual_Line) and had nothing but the 8gb to replace it. DR2d worked flawlessly with both cards! This is the second time it's come through for me in the clutch, but the unreliability makes me crazy.

As I've mentioned before, this is a deck someone unloaded on eBay. Maybe it's a lemon, but I'm reluctant to try a different one even for $90. Maybe I'll re-deposit the $200 I was going to spend on an R-05 and save up for an R-26 and say goodbye to pocket-sized decks, or resign myself to a two-channel system... or try a different DR2d. I mean, 90 bucks! Decisions, decisions.

[Gutbucket]

Sounds like the problem occurs (intermitantly) when using the 8GB card, but has not when using the 2GB card.

Don't use the 8GB card.  Replace it (with a 16GB or 32GB one which won't fill up so quickly) and I bet that solves the problem.  If by chance it does not, you can use the card in another recorder or camera, so it will not be a loss.