This is the first discussion i have submitted so really hoping i get some replies!!!! i was hoping to get some advice regarding recording devices for sessions, fiddle lessons etc. can anyone suggest a decent, hardy type of gadget that will last!! One that can also store albums and doesn't compress live recordings too much! i have a minidisk at the mo but its falling apart, soaked in grolsch and basically knackered!! Also, big HI to all in UL tadsoc from sunny Newcastle! Cheers Paul
Only thing is, I would also have to buy a video iPod for it, so I'm not sure if I want to spend that much right now. Love the idea of being able to get music right onto my iPod, though.
That iLounge site seems to have lots of information. Good luck!
I'm using an iRiver T30, 1 Gb memory for sessions etc. Very compact, good battery life, uses standard AAA rechargeable. Internal mic. quite adequate. Saves files as .mp3 which I load back onto PC (use SlowDowner to edit and play). About Euro 80 here.
I love the minidisc recorder. The only complaint is that it records a mite treble for me. It's not a problem, because I can fix that in Audacity quite easily. I have even patched it into a PA system for live recording and with all the EQ you can do on the mixer of the PA, the quality of the recording was amazing, just a slight notch below CD quality, and I have heard some badly mastered CDs that sounded worse to tell the truth.
As for session recording, you need to get the mike in the right spot on any player or it will sound terrible. It will vay from place to place, just for some added confusion!
The trouble with the Micromemo is that its release date is set permanently in the future. By the time it comes out there'll be a new generation of incompatible iPods and the circle of life will continue....
I have a minidisc, but it's painful to transfer stuff to the computer and it picks up its own motor noise unless you put the microphone on a long lead. Apparently this is also a problem with some of the iPod attachments.
Some of those new flash recorders look good, but they're a bit expensive at the moment.
To my mind, it isn't worth it to buy a device specifically for recording, such as the Edirol.
What you want is a hard-drive based MP3 player with line-in recording capability. A lot of MP3 players have built-in microphones for "voice recording" but you're not going to be happy with the quality of the recording unless your standards are very low (e.g., just want to listen to it once or twice to learn a tune). Keep in mind, though that a microphone will generally need amplification when fed into a line-in port or your recording levels will be very low.
The Micromemo is indeed available now, I had one in my hands just the other day at the Apple store. Just couldn't bring myself to cough up the extra $$$ for the iPod. Maybe it's only available in the US right now, although I would think it can be ordered online, but who knows. Another feature I like about it is that the microphone is only plugged in, so it allows for switching to a better mic.
Yes, I think its available in the US but not over here in the UK and every time I look the release date has slipped back. The really annoying thing about this is I only got the video iPod because its technical specs said it could record CD quality sound. Over a year later I still can't record anything. Grrrrrr.
I think Burnsy indicated that he wanted a device for sessions/ lessons etc. Yep, the internal mike of a basic mp3 recorder perhaps isn't capable of superior recording but I don't know about your local sessions - maybe there's perfect hush and quiet respect at yours. One I go to .. there's chatter going on, glasses tinkling, people laughing, trays getting dropped etc. What's the point of a special setup if all you need to do is record the tunes so you can learn the ones you like later. A cheap but functional device that you can slip into your pocket is what's needed I would think. Anything else is uneccesary overkill. That said, there's a couple of lovely fiddle players where I go and it would be nice to get a good recording of 'em but trying to do that in a pub session, I would have thought is like farting against thunder!
Jerry, maybe if you call an Apple store here in the US they can ship you one. If not, I can always do it for you. It’s about $60, which I think is 35 pounds or so. All you Europeans make out like bandits now with the dollar the way it is!
Among the features, is the ability to speed (by 25%) or slow down (by 50%) the recording without changing the pitch. While there are plenty of softwore packages that will do this for you, this is the first I've seen that has this feature built-in to the handheld device. (it's a small device too, about the size of two fingers).
While I can't imagine that the sound quality would be as good as a minidisc or iPod, the combination of size and the slow-down feature make it nearly ideal for grabbing tunes from lessons and sessions. At the end of the day, the easier it is to carry, the more likely you'll have it when you need it.
G'day burnsy, welcome to the session. I have just got an iriver t10 (512MB). This take a AA battery which lasts for 45 hours. I took it to a session a couple of weeks ago and made some recordings using the inbuilt mic. When two or three people were playing, the recording were great. Good quality and levels were fine. When 20 people were playing the levels went over the top and the recording distorted. There doesn't seem to be a recording level adjustment on this unit - I can't find it anyway. This unit is sturdy and uses a memory stick. It comes in a 1GB model which will give you more storage. An album on mine takes between 40 an 100MB.
Like the wounded hussar, I've used my iriver T30 1G for recording sessions. For such a tiny mic, it picks up a lot of sound ... direct to MP3 that's easy to pull off onto the PC and into Audacity or some other audio processing software.
It's very small, quite durable and runs for a long time on one AAA battery.
I agree with the iRiver endorsements. If you want a step up in terms of quality, if you can find one, the discontinued iRiver IFP-700 models (mine is an IFP-799) has a line-in jack that doubles as a mic input - with mic level adjustment, mono/stereo setting, and selectable bit-rates up to 320 kbps (higher bit rate = higher quality but more memory usage). Get yourself a decent little external mic (or mics), and you've got a skookum little portable recording rig. Tough to beat for sessions, rehearsals, and clinics.
Does anyone know where the iriver T30 1GB can be bought in Ireland. It seems to be very versatile for recording sessions.
Is there an FM tuner built into it?
ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
This is the first discussion i have submitted so really hoping i get some replies!!!! i was hoping to get some advice regarding recording devices for sessions, fiddle lessons etc. can anyone suggest a decent, hardy type of gadget that will last!! One that can also store albums and doesn't compress live recordings too much! i have a minidisk at the mo but its falling apart, soaked in grolsch and basically knackered!! Also, big HI to all in UL tadsoc from sunny Newcastle! Cheers Paul
# Posted on October 5th 2006 by burnsy
Re: ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
I'm considering buying this:
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/xtrememac-micromemo-digital-recorder-for-ipod/
Only thing is, I would also have to buy a video iPod for it, so I'm not sure if I want to spend that much right now. Love the idea of being able to get music right onto my iPod, though.
That iLounge site seems to have lots of information. Good luck!
# Posted on October 5th 2006 by kennedy
Re: ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
I'm using an iRiver T30, 1 Gb memory for sessions etc. Very compact, good battery life, uses standard AAA rechargeable. Internal mic. quite adequate. Saves files as .mp3 which I load back onto PC (use SlowDowner to edit and play). About Euro 80 here.
# Posted on October 5th 2006 by the wounded hussar
Re: ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
and by the way, burnsy, I don't think anyone has invented a beer-proof audio recorder yet!
# Posted on October 5th 2006 by kennedy
Re: ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
I love the minidisc recorder. The only complaint is that it records a mite treble for me. It's not a problem, because I can fix that in Audacity quite easily. I have even patched it into a PA system for live recording and with all the EQ you can do on the mixer of the PA, the quality of the recording was amazing, just a slight notch below CD quality, and I have heard some badly mastered CDs that sounded worse to tell the truth.
As for session recording, you need to get the mike in the right spot on any player or it will sound terrible. It will vay from place to place, just for some added confusion!
# Posted on October 5th 2006 by irisnevins
Re: ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
The trouble with the Micromemo is that its release date is set permanently in the future. By the time it comes out there'll be a new generation of incompatible iPods and the circle of life will continue....
I have a minidisc, but it's painful to transfer stuff to the computer and it picks up its own motor noise unless you put the microphone on a long lead. Apparently this is also a problem with some of the iPod attachments.
Some of those new flash recorders look good, but they're a bit expensive at the moment.
# Posted on October 5th 2006 by JerryH
Re: ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
To my mind, it isn't worth it to buy a device specifically for recording, such as the Edirol.
What you want is a hard-drive based MP3 player with line-in recording capability. A lot of MP3 players have built-in microphones for "voice recording" but you're not going to be happy with the quality of the recording unless your standards are very low (e.g., just want to listen to it once or twice to learn a tune). Keep in mind, though that a microphone will generally need amplification when fed into a line-in port or your recording levels will be very low.
-- Scott
# Posted on October 5th 2006 by srt19170
Re: ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
The Micromemo is indeed available now, I had one in my hands just the other day at the Apple store. Just couldn't bring myself to cough up the extra $$$ for the iPod. Maybe it's only available in the US right now, although I would think it can be ordered online, but who knows. Another feature I like about it is that the microphone is only plugged in, so it allows for switching to a better mic.
# Posted on October 5th 2006 by kennedy
Re: ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
Yes, I think its available in the US but not over here in the UK and every time I look the release date has slipped back. The really annoying thing about this is I only got the video iPod because its technical specs said it could record CD quality sound. Over a year later I still can't record anything. Grrrrrr.
# Posted on October 5th 2006 by JerryH
Re: ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
I think Burnsy indicated that he wanted a device for sessions/ lessons etc. Yep, the internal mike of a basic mp3 recorder perhaps isn't capable of superior recording but I don't know about your local sessions - maybe there's perfect hush and quiet respect at yours. One I go to .. there's chatter going on, glasses tinkling, people laughing, trays getting dropped etc. What's the point of a special setup if all you need to do is record the tunes so you can learn the ones you like later. A cheap but functional device that you can slip into your pocket is what's needed I would think. Anything else is uneccesary overkill. That said, there's a couple of lovely fiddle players where I go and it would be nice to get a good recording of 'em but trying to do that in a pub session, I would have thought is like farting against thunder!
# Posted on October 5th 2006 by the wounded hussar
Re: ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
Jerry, maybe if you call an Apple store here in the US they can ship you one. If not, I can always do it for you. It’s about $60, which I think is 35 pounds or so. All you Europeans make out like bandits now with the dollar the way it is!
# Posted on October 5th 2006 by kennedy
Re: ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
Actually, I've just looked and the UK Apple Store has just today announced it as available. Thanks anyway.
# Posted on October 5th 2006 by JerryH
Re: ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
A number of my students have these:
http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-WS-320M-Digital-Recorder-Player/dp/B000BJ3BRO/ref=sr_11_1/102-5057438-9581711?ie=UTF8
(there are cheaper models with less memory)
Among the features, is the ability to speed (by 25%) or slow down (by 50%) the recording without changing the pitch. While there are plenty of softwore packages that will do this for you, this is the first I've seen that has this feature built-in to the handheld device. (it's a small device too, about the size of two fingers).
While I can't imagine that the sound quality would be as good as a minidisc or iPod, the combination of size and the slow-down feature make it nearly ideal for grabbing tunes from lessons and sessions. At the end of the day, the easier it is to carry, the more likely you'll have it when you need it.
# Posted on October 5th 2006 by Georgi
Re: ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
G'day burnsy, welcome to the session. I have just got an iriver t10 (512MB). This take a AA battery which lasts for 45 hours. I took it to a session a couple of weeks ago and made some recordings using the inbuilt mic. When two or three people were playing, the recording were great. Good quality and levels were fine. When 20 people were playing the levels went over the top and the recording distorted. There doesn't seem to be a recording level adjustment on this unit - I can't find it anyway. This unit is sturdy and uses a memory stick. It comes in a 1GB model which will give you more storage. An album on mine takes between 40 an 100MB.
# Posted on October 6th 2006 by harry
Re: ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
Like the wounded hussar, I've used my iriver T30 1G for recording sessions. For such a tiny mic, it picks up a lot of sound ... direct to MP3 that's easy to pull off onto the PC and into Audacity or some other audio processing software.
It's very small, quite durable and runs for a long time on one AAA battery.
# Posted on October 6th 2006 by KeepFiddlin'
Re: ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
I agree with the iRiver endorsements. If you want a step up in terms of quality, if you can find one, the discontinued iRiver IFP-700 models (mine is an IFP-799) has a line-in jack that doubles as a mic input - with mic level adjustment, mono/stereo setting, and selectable bit-rates up to 320 kbps (higher bit rate = higher quality but more memory usage). Get yourself a decent little external mic (or mics), and you've got a skookum little portable recording rig. Tough to beat for sessions, rehearsals, and clinics.
You can read loads of info on iRiver units at http://www.misticriver.net/
# Posted on October 7th 2006 by snapper
Re: ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
Snapper! Chinook wawa? Kloshe!
# Posted on October 7th 2006 by sara g
Re: ipod vs mp3 vs minidisk vs the world
Does anyone know where the iriver T30 1GB can be bought in Ireland. It seems to be very versatile for recording sessions.
Is there an FM tuner built into it?
# Posted on March 13th 2007 by tradmad