First, I'd like to say thanks to all of you who have shared your labors of love for recording music with us music lovers. I had no clue about this hobby until the last year or so because I've sort of been out of the concert going scene for several years and just now I'm at point in life where I am able to start getting out to enjoy the finer things again. lol No, not prison, but at times I suppose it felt like it.
So anyway, I wanted to post a little intro, a thanks, and a quick questions if you don't mind. Being the newbie, I hope this is wrong or in the wrong section. Anyway, I'm getting to old fart status I guess, no offense to any others over the 50 mark, haha, but over the last year as I said I have started to live life again and have been attending a lot of concerts and while doing so I've been introduced to this awesome hobby of taping and sharing! I recently bumped into a taper while waiting in line at a recent show and decided I really want to get into this as a hobby.
My wife won't be happy because when I get into something it usually cost a lot and it consumes me and I won't stop until whatever it is reaches some acceptable point of perfection. Guess I can blame my years of military service for creating the perfectionist asshole my wife claims I have become. LOL Anyhow, before babbling on, I'm excited about getting into this new hobby and I am spending hours reading through the pages and pages of information here feeling a new addiction taking hold real quick. It, however, is admittedly just a little overwhelming!
Like I said, we've started attending a lot of concerts and I'm looking to primarily do open recording with a possible stealth mission here or there, but primarily I hope to do most in the open. I'm looking at a budget to get into it probably around $500 (+ or -) to get started and see if I stick with it, thinking I can always upgrade down the road. With the learning curve seeming sort of steep right now, I'm going to try and take it slow to avoid the mistake purchases and the oh crap this is junk purchases. I believe and have learned the hard way too many times that you truly do get what you pay for it most instances...so I don't mind spending a little more the first time to get something that is going to be durable and compatible etc.
I'm itching to order my first piece, patience isn't a strong point of mine, but I've seen the Tascam DR2D (I've read the two monster threads) at marked down prices (under $150) and I'm wondering if that would be a good starter for now. I'm leaning towards the Sony PCM-D50 from what I've been reading here, however, I'm thinking if I can start out with a little less expensive recorder to get started I'll upgrade later and would still have a nice recorder for backup or other occasions etc. So I guess my first big question, purchasing the DR2D would be a good start, wouldn't it? Or tell me to go back and read more! haha I'm looking at picking up some external mics to go with it and I've about come to the conclusion I would initially start with the CA 9100 package with battery box etc.
I've obviously got a ton of learning to do and your help will be greatly appreciated so thanks in advance for any and all advice. Also, I apologize if I've babbled on and on and have made no sense. LOL
Some upcoming shows I'll be attending are Feb 8, Willie Nelson, Florence SC, Apr 6, DMB, B'Ham AL and Apr 27, 28 JazzFest NOLA, possible Eric Clapton in Raleigh, if anyone will be taping and wouldn't mind showing me around a little. I'm in the Fayetteville, NC area if there is anyone local that needs an intern or gofer.