Topic: GMINI 220

[Chrysler]

Hi all,

in several threads i read that the GMINI 220 produces digi-noises when recording via spdif.
Do these noises also occur when recording via the analog line-in?
How long do the batteries of the GMINI 220 last when recording?

I am currently running a D-100 and since i only record 44.1 kHz i could as well replace it with some HD-based recorder (since it records 16/44.1 too) or use the GMINI 220 when i know that it will be hard stealthing...

cheers
c.

[Chrysler]

can nobody help?

[Brian Skalinder]

People have mentioned the 220 a handful of times here at TS - try a search.  Unfortunately, not much useful information - I suspect either people encountered problems or simply forgot to respond back with their experiences.  Only post I could find on analog input (in the middle of a digital-input thread, no less) was this one:

http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=16606.msg210645#msg210645

And I wouldn't let a single post determine the reliability of the unit.

Have you considered the Edirol R1?  Not a lot of user experience out there with it, but it looks promising.  There's a bit of discussion on the R1 over on the Oade Bros board.

[Chrysler]

thanks for the reply. I read this post also, but for the same reasons you mention i wanted to reassure.
I guess if the Gmini is a good alternative recoding gear it would be more popular here.

I also considered the R-1, but for the CF-Card issue, battery life-time etc. i will rather pass on this.

[Brian Skalinder]

I guess if the Gmini is a good alternative recoding gear it would be more popular here.

Well, not necessarily.  Most of us either record digital-in or plan to in the future, so any device that doesn't support digital-in doesn't get a lot of support here.  And in case you haven't noticed, there's gobs and gobs of Nomad JB3 fluffing going on, and a lot of people run 'em since they support quality digital and analog input as well.  Have you considered a JB3?. 

The GMini may be a great unit analog-in, but given such little feedback it's tough to tell.  I wouldn't assume from the lack of information that the GMini isn't a viable option.  That said, I'm not sure where to go to find the information you seek - maybe there's a GMini User forum linked from the manufacturer's website or some such?

I also considered the R-1, but for the CF-Card issue, battery life-time etc. i will rather pass on this.

Yeah, the CF cards add substantial cost.  Not sure about how to address the battery issue - just haven't looked into it.  At least you considered it. 

[Chrysler]

Thanks for replying again 

how do you go digital-in usually?

I mostly do stealth taping and since it's sometimes very difficult smuggling all of your equipement into the locations i mostly leave my SBM-1 at home. Then the analog-in of the D100 seems to be the only choice of recording?

My Setup is

DPA 4060's > MMA6000 p/s >( SBM-1 >) Sony D100

Do you have any other suggestions how to improve my setup for stealth-taping?
The R-1 definitly would be nice, since it records 24/44.1..it seems quite large deck however

I recently considered Sony Hi.MD drives (only 90 mins run-time), JB3 (too big) and the R-1.

[Brian Skalinder]

how do you go digital-in usually?

Well, when I stealth, I don't.  I run analog-in to my D100.  Heh - you got me there.

I mostly do stealth taping and since it's sometimes very difficult smuggling all of your equipement into the locations i mostly leave my SBM-1 at home. Then the analog-in of the D100 seems to be the only choice of recording?

You could run digi-in to your D100 via the SBM-1 easily enough.  But as you say, it's just more gear to get in the door.  And honestly, I think the D100 sounds mighty fine analog-in.

My Setup is

DPA 4060's > MMA6000 p/s >( SBM-1 >) Sony D100

Do you have any other suggestions how to improve my setup for stealth-taping?

Well, that depends - in what way are you not satisfied with your recordings?  I think the only way I could see improving your stealth gear would be to run directional mics - cards or hypers.  But cards/hypers may or may not be desirable depending on the kind of sound you prefer out of your recordings, the problems you feel you encounter with your current gear's recordings, how much money you're willing / able to allocate to additional gear, etc.

The R-1 definitly would be nice, since it records 24/44.1..it seems quite large deck however

You'd be surprised how much gear one can sneak into a venue!  Obviously depends if there are patdowns, metal detectors /wands, etc.

I recently considered Sony Hi.MD drives (only 90 mins run-time), JB3 (too big) and the R-1.

Honestly, I think the D100 is your best option at this point:

[1] you own it already
[2] it's proven field-reliable
[3] it's easily snuck into venues
[4] it sounds damn good

[Chrysler]

thanks for your advise.

Still i hope someone can anwer my question regarding the Gmini.

cheers

c.

[Thom Joad]

I know you asked about the 220 but, I have a Gmini 400 that I have run for 4 shows now.  It can do 44.1 or 48.  I have not experienced any clicks or noise at all when recording line-in.  I have run it for a 3.5 hour show, and there was about a 1/4 charge left on the battery.  Hope that helps. - Matt

[Chrysler]

Hi all,

i got me a Gmini 220 now and have tried outsome stuff (recording via my DPA mics and also recording of MP3s through my PC).
I did not record more than 7 minutes continiously.
I am not quite sure about the sound quality (i think you can hear digi-noises if you listen to the recording via headphone. On the speaker the recordings sounds flawless however).
I have uploaded a Flac-File (http://www.fansubs.de/REC0001.flac) to my server. Maybe someone wants to analyze it on digi-noises and other artifacts.

The Gmini is a great device (and sooo small) and would be ideal for stealth taping. 20 Gig HDD is more than plenty for recording...16/44.1. The Level Meter is a bit slow, but adequate enough. The only negative aspect would be the lack of a hold-button....
I will make a recording of the Blood Brothers this weekend..hope this turns out alright (and the batteries will last a whole gig).
If the Sound is ok it will replace my D100 for stealth taping..if not it will replace my Muyo MP3-Player and i will use the 4 GIG CF-Card in the R-1......

cheers
c.

[Chrysler]

seems that noone is interested but anyway:

i did a two hour continous recording today and everything worked fine.
Theres also an external battery pack available for the Gmini 220 which kicks in when the internal battery passes out.
So overall the Gmini seems to be a very good alternative for stealth tapers that are tired of DAT and don't mind to record analog-in.

[Brian Skalinder]

seems that noone is interested but anyway:

i did a two hour continous recording today and everything worked fine.

Definitely interested!  Just...not a lot to say about 7 minutes worth of recording.  Keep us up to date - 2 hrs is a good start though it may take many more to identify any potential problems.  Definitely report back as you do more testing, especially in the field.  Thanks!

[Chrysler]

update: the gmini does have a hold function... i did not read the manual 

[Popmarter]

like most stealthtaper i dont need/want a digi-in as i have to sneak in more and more stuff, which i hate to do. therefore i really have my hopes up for the Marantz pdm660, http://www.riksmusic.com/marantz/pmd660.htm

As said, no digi in, but apart from that this looks like a brick and, stealthers, look at those levels...awesome. I also read there comes a remote with levels, really looking forward to it. From what i read else it takes 4gb too.

no, i dont work at Marantz :-)

[slowblow]

anyone can tell me if  the gmini 220 records in .wav in 16/48 .in archos.com, they said it record in mp3 ...
thanks in advance,
slow