Anyone got one of these digital audio recorders - I am considering getting one for Chrismas and wondered if they are any good ? I just want convenient way to record tunes as mp3's as I am out & about, for my own use to learn tunes - I also like the integral speed & pitch change capability to help me with the likes of Brian Kelly's banjo tunes, to try & decipher how just he does it
Record them as WAV files, you can always, and easily, convert them to MP3 later... Unless it's only quantity you're after, in which case you'll get more MP3s for any given memory. I've used Tascam kit and am happy with it, but there are a few nice portable recorders out there and the Zooms are sweet too... Have a jolly Christmas...
I have the Tascom and its okay. Two negatives in my opinion: short battery life and lack of volume. I don;t know about Zoom, but I've seen the Edirol and I wish I had gotten it. All the best for the holidays.
If it's simply a convenient way to record tunes on the fly for learning purposes, I suggest picking up one of the new iPod nanos. I take my tiny little iPod and record at my local sessions (with permission from the players, of course) and it works great. Then I just listen back on my computer and adjust the speed using freeware applications. I've never tried to adjust pitch, just speed, but I suppose some of the freeware applications will do that as well. Anyway, there are many ways to skin that cat, that's just one.
The iPod nano, yes, one of those that comes to our session uses his to record tunes, and he also downloads small videos and audio from YouTube, which he sometimes entertains us with. If MP3 quality is good enough for you, it's a lovely bit of kit.
I have the Edirol R-09 recorder. It's amazingly simple (two aa batteries last a long time and a flash card - 2gb=9hrs of recording). All you have to do is turn it on, record, and drag the file onto your computer - open Audacity (free as a download) and import the files, and start editing.
I particularly like the mics onboard the Edirol (same company as Boss and Roland) - they're very lifelike and clear sounding. (I made a mic stand clip for mine out of duct tape and an old suspension clip so I can record at instrument height while playing).
The Edirol is a little more expensive than the Zoom and the Tascam, and certainly not as versatile as an iPod, but the recording results are superior.
I have the Dr-1 which is similar to the DR-7 but just has more options. The recording quality is really good. The pitch shift and tempo is very handy to learn tunes. However like the DR-7 (it seems from above) the battery life is a bit of an issue. Maybe its a Tascam thing ? Not to long ago I attended a weekend music workshop. Recording at the highest quality (which I really didnt need to) I found that I could record for roughly 4-5 hours but would need to recharge after that although it would recharge pretty quickly. Overall I have been really pleased with it. I do know the Zoom are really good sounding digital recorders as well.
The new model ZOOM H4n is an excellent and cheap option. I've never used the Edirol, but from reading many reports I'd say the mics on the ZOOM are definitely better.
The original ZOOM H4 was great in performance but cheap in build quality. The new version has addressed most of those minor issues, and is very hard to beat. I know two professional sound engineers who recommend it.
I would have a good look at it before opting for the Edirol or any other similar level kit.
I've got the DR-07 and it's pretty good for learning tunes from sessions. The thing about recording as WAV rather than mp3 is that the realtime mp3 recording is full of artifact: loud background digital noises that sound like the Terminator is skulking. I think the battery should last longer with wav recording as there is less processing involved. price/usability ratio is VERY good.
big up the zoom H4, its by far the best of the bunch.
as TOR implies, its *so* much more than just a good stereo field recorder.
its also a phantom power xlr preamp, an fx unit/compressor, a standalone 4track, a zero latency USB I/O.
yowsa, santa
The Zoom H4n is just excellent. i've even done 4 tracks on it with 4 external mics. The built-in ones are pretty amazing but the great thing with any of these beasties is that you can get it going really quickly, before you "lose the inspiration" or opportunity to grab that sound you want.
Thanks for all your help - I've considered all your replies, and trawled the internet for reviews etc decided on the following:-
Prices (UK supply - best I can find)
Tascom DR-07 £139 (does everything I want except speaker)
Zoom H2 £159, (no speed / pitch control or speaker)
Olympus £208, (no speed / pitch control)
Edirol £239, (no pitch control )
Zoom H4n £290, (does everything but bit bulky & heavy 280g)
Sony PCM-M10 £349, (does everything + wow factor)
I really like the Sony PCM-M10 or Zoom H4n but just can't afford either of them at the moment
My budget is around £150 what with Christmas and all.
I definitely want the speed & pitch control - so I have ordered the Tascom DR-07 and will let you know how I get on - I mainly want it for recording tunes at sessions and learning later so hopefully it will be OK for my needs
Thanks again
I have and use the Edirol R1 - now superceded by the R-09, but I am generally very happy with it. Negatives are:
1. A bit bulky.
2. Build style is not really appropriate for something which is meant to sit in a pocket/kick around loose in a case. Especially, the door over the flash card is a pain.
3. Compact flash cards are bulky. The device cannot cope with more than 2Gb in one file.
4. Battery life is ok, but could be better.
5. User interface is a bit primitive and a bit of a nuisance, especially when trying to set the volume for a recording.
Positives:
1. Sound quality is good. Really, this makes up for all the rest. Slap it (gently) on a table in the middle of a session sitting on top of its' wee neoprene cover and off you go - just make sure it is not directly in front of someone with a banjo (skin roughly at same height as table...). My profile has a couple of clips recorded with this device two meters from the flute, resting on a music stand.
2. Special effects are nice, but I never use them - I record clean in the the best MP3 quality (when in the pub) or in wav (when sitting next to the PC). Any processing I would do on the PC afterwards, but I rarely do.
3. The device does do playback, including an option for half speed but has no speakers so you have to use headphones or an exernal device. This is occasionally useful for field checks, but I listen and/or play along to the results on other devices.
I am sure the negatives have been largely addressed with the successor devices. I've also known some ZOOM owners and they have been happy too.
Just quick review of DR-07
I have just returned the DR-07 in favour of the Sony PCM-M10 which is now reduced to £300 from Absolute Music Solutions in Poole, Dorset
The DR-07 did work OK generally but will only play MP3's created at 44.1 MHz - I was also bit worried by the plasticky feel and general flimsiness of the unit
Since I download podcasts from Clare FM every day, which are either 24MHz or 32MHz, the DR-07 was unable to play them
It is worth noting that all both Zoom Models and the Olympus
model have the same limitation
The Editrol does recognise 32MHz but not 24MHz
The Sony however recognises all common frequencies 16/22.05/24/32/44.1/48 KHz
It is a much more robust unit and I am really impressed with the recording quality
I have had to trade in all my 'Marks & Spencers' Xmas vouchers from my relatives to find the extra money, but in the long run I think the Sony model is the best of the bunch - also has internal speaker, speed & pitch control, remote control and comes with the impressive SoundForge Audio Studio LE software. The battery life is also massively better than any comparable units at approx 20 - 30 hours per
Anyway, thanks for all your help
TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder
TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder
Anyone got one of these digital audio recorders - I am considering getting one for Chrismas and wondered if they are any good ? I just want convenient way to record tunes as mp3's as I am out & about, for my own use to learn tunes - I also like the integral speed & pitch change capability to help me with the likes of Brian Kelly's banjo tunes, to try & decipher how just he does it
# Posted on December 16th 2009 by Enob
Re: TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder
Don't know about the Tascom but I'm very happy with the Zoom H2, as are a couple of my mates
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/19072/comments#comment398729
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/20841/comments#comment433973
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/15379/comments#comment317754
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/16405/comments#comment344384
# Posted on December 16th 2009 by domhnall.
Re: TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder
Record them as WAV files, you can always, and easily, convert them to MP3 later... Unless it's only quantity you're after, in which case you'll get more MP3s for any given memory. I've used Tascam kit and am happy with it, but there are a few nice portable recorders out there and the Zooms are sweet too... Have a jolly Christmas...
# Posted on December 16th 2009 by ceolachan
Re: TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder
I have the Tascom and its okay. Two negatives in my opinion: short battery life and lack of volume. I don;t know about Zoom, but I've seen the Edirol and I wish I had gotten it. All the best for the holidays.
# Posted on December 16th 2009 by John Culhane
Re: TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder
If it's simply a convenient way to record tunes on the fly for learning purposes, I suggest picking up one of the new iPod nanos. I take my tiny little iPod and record at my local sessions (with permission from the players, of course) and it works great. Then I just listen back on my computer and adjust the speed using freeware applications. I've never tried to adjust pitch, just speed, but I suppose some of the freeware applications will do that as well. Anyway, there are many ways to skin that cat, that's just one.
# Posted on December 16th 2009 by Jimmy B
Re: TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder
The iPod nano, yes, one of those that comes to our session uses his to record tunes, and he also downloads small videos and audio from YouTube, which he sometimes entertains us with. If MP3 quality is good enough for you, it's a lovely bit of kit.
# Posted on December 16th 2009 by ceolachan
Re: TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder
I have the Edirol R-09 recorder. It's amazingly simple (two aa batteries last a long time and a flash card - 2gb=9hrs of recording). All you have to do is turn it on, record, and drag the file onto your computer - open Audacity (free as a download) and import the files, and start editing.
I particularly like the mics onboard the Edirol (same company as Boss and Roland) - they're very lifelike and clear sounding. (I made a mic stand clip for mine out of duct tape and an old suspension clip so I can record at instrument height while playing).
The Edirol is a little more expensive than the Zoom and the Tascam, and certainly not as versatile as an iPod, but the recording results are superior.
# Posted on December 16th 2009 by Toppish
Re: TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder
I have the Dr-1 which is similar to the DR-7 but just has more options. The recording quality is really good. The pitch shift and tempo is very handy to learn tunes. However like the DR-7 (it seems from above) the battery life is a bit of an issue. Maybe its a Tascam thing ? Not to long ago I attended a weekend music workshop. Recording at the highest quality (which I really didnt need to) I found that I could record for roughly 4-5 hours but would need to recharge after that although it would recharge pretty quickly. Overall I have been really pleased with it. I do know the Zoom are really good sounding digital recorders as well.
# Posted on December 16th 2009 by Kewlceltic983
Re: TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder
The new model ZOOM H4n is an excellent and cheap option. I've never used the Edirol, but from reading many reports I'd say the mics on the ZOOM are definitely better.
The original ZOOM H4 was great in performance but cheap in build quality. The new version has addressed most of those minor issues, and is very hard to beat. I know two professional sound engineers who recommend it.
I would have a good look at it before opting for the Edirol or any other similar level kit.
# Posted on December 17th 2009 by Martin_BC
Re: TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder
I've got the DR-07 and it's pretty good for learning tunes from sessions. The thing about recording as WAV rather than mp3 is that the realtime mp3 recording is full of artifact: loud background digital noises that sound like the Terminator is skulking. I think the battery should last longer with wav recording as there is less processing involved. price/usability ratio is VERY good.
# Posted on December 17th 2009 by justjim
Re: TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder
I use a Zoom H4n and am very happy with it. Excelent recording quality,easy to use, many bells and whistles.
# Posted on December 17th 2009 by Tony O'Rourke
Re: TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder
big up the zoom H4, its by far the best of the bunch.
as TOR implies, its *so* much more than just a good stereo field recorder.
its also a phantom power xlr preamp, an fx unit/compressor, a standalone 4track, a zero latency USB I/O.
yowsa, santa
# Posted on December 17th 2009 by rumpole
Re: TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder
I'm using the Edirol, and I'm very pleased with it. Quality is excellent, and it's very easy to use.
# Posted on December 17th 2009 by rbs
Re: TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder
The Zoom H4n is just excellent. i've even done 4 tracks on it with 4 external mics. The built-in ones are pretty amazing but the great thing with any of these beasties is that you can get it going really quickly, before you "lose the inspiration" or opportunity to grab that sound you want.
# Posted on December 17th 2009 by Mark Harmer
Re: TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder
Thanks for all your help - I've considered all your replies, and trawled the internet for reviews etc decided on the following:-
Prices (UK supply - best I can find)
Tascom DR-07 £139 (does everything I want except speaker)
Zoom H2 £159, (no speed / pitch control or speaker)
Olympus £208, (no speed / pitch control)
Edirol £239, (no pitch control )
Zoom H4n £290, (does everything but bit bulky & heavy 280g)
Sony PCM-M10 £349, (does everything + wow factor)
I really like the Sony PCM-M10 or Zoom H4n but just can't afford either of them at the moment
My budget is around £150 what with Christmas and all.
I definitely want the speed & pitch control - so I have ordered the Tascom DR-07 and will let you know how I get on - I mainly want it for recording tunes at sessions and learning later so hopefully it will be OK for my needs
Thanks again
# Posted on December 18th 2009 by Enob
Re: TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder
I have and use the Edirol R1 - now superceded by the R-09, but I am generally very happy with it. Negatives are:
1. A bit bulky.
2. Build style is not really appropriate for something which is meant to sit in a pocket/kick around loose in a case. Especially, the door over the flash card is a pain.
3. Compact flash cards are bulky. The device cannot cope with more than 2Gb in one file.
4. Battery life is ok, but could be better.
5. User interface is a bit primitive and a bit of a nuisance, especially when trying to set the volume for a recording.
Positives:
1. Sound quality is good. Really, this makes up for all the rest. Slap it (gently) on a table in the middle of a session sitting on top of its' wee neoprene cover and off you go - just make sure it is not directly in front of someone with a banjo (skin roughly at same height as table...). My profile has a couple of clips recorded with this device two meters from the flute, resting on a music stand.
2. Special effects are nice, but I never use them - I record clean in the the best MP3 quality (when in the pub) or in wav (when sitting next to the PC). Any processing I would do on the PC afterwards, but I rarely do.
3. The device does do playback, including an option for half speed but has no speakers so you have to use headphones or an exernal device. This is occasionally useful for field checks, but I listen and/or play along to the results on other devices.
I am sure the negatives have been largely addressed with the successor devices. I've also known some ZOOM owners and they have been happy too.
# Posted on December 21st 2009 by Crackpot
Re: TASCOM DR-07 Digital Recorder - UPDATE
Just quick review of DR-07
I have just returned the DR-07 in favour of the Sony PCM-M10 which is now reduced to £300 from Absolute Music Solutions in Poole, Dorset
The DR-07 did work OK generally but will only play MP3's created at 44.1 MHz - I was also bit worried by the plasticky feel and general flimsiness of the unit
Since I download podcasts from Clare FM every day, which are either 24MHz or 32MHz, the DR-07 was unable to play them
It is worth noting that all both Zoom Models and the Olympus
model have the same limitation
The Editrol does recognise 32MHz but not 24MHz
The Sony however recognises all common frequencies 16/22.05/24/32/44.1/48 KHz
It is a much more robust unit and I am really impressed with the recording quality
I have had to trade in all my 'Marks & Spencers' Xmas vouchers from my relatives to find the extra money, but in the long run I think the Sony model is the best of the bunch - also has internal speaker, speed & pitch control, remote control and comes with the impressive SoundForge Audio Studio LE software. The battery life is also massively better than any comparable units at approx 20 - 30 hours per
Anyway, thanks for all your help
# Posted on January 4th 2010 by Enob