Recording devices

[Kory101]

I don't know that particular device, but I have the H2 Zoom. It's a great, portable device that works like a dream. Just google it and you'll find out everything you need to know!

[BriceT]

I do not know anything about the MicroTrack II, but I have an Edirol R-09HR. It records with awesome quality, and I think anyone would be happy with it. Good Luck!

[jimgray]

I'd steer clear of the mAudio stuff.

I bought an Olympus LS-10 a while back and LOVE it.
Best $300 I have spent in a long time.
If anyone wants some sample mp3s I recorded at a recent concert I did, let me know.

I also think I posted an extended writeup on it on Tubenet.
The Marantz is nice as well.

Check out wingfieldaudio.com for LOTS of good information.

Jim

[THE TUBA]

I have an edirol R-9, and I love it. I use it for recording practice sessions, live concerts, and just about everything else.

[Tom Waid]

Does anyone know if the MicroTrack II by M-Audio is a good recording device? What some other options if you don't know or don't like the previously stated device?

I've been using the MicroTrack for quite some time. With a mike upgrade the recorded sound is excellent. My only complaint is that the menu structure is awkward and this may be due to the fact that I have one of the earlier examples of the MicroTrack

[Phil Dawson]

There are a lot of great recording devices out there. It all depends on what you want to do. Is MP3 quality good enough or do you want higher resolution (better sound)? How many tracks do you want to record at one time? What type of mics do you want to use (do you need phantom power)? How much storage space do you need (how long do your recordings have to be)? There are also other considerations that may affect your choice (size, mixing capabilities, power requirements - battery power or not, inputs - both number and type, built in mics or not, and a host of other options. Sweetwater.com has a great selection of devices and more are coming out all of the time. They have a great sales staff that can help you get the gear you really need at a price you can afford.
Good luck, Phil

[Slamson]

The M-Audio is "ok" as in "why not look at something that will do the same thing for less?" That would certainly be the Zoom H2. Really handy, and the variable mic patterns are really good when used judiciously. Costs less than the M-Audio, too. If you move up to the H4, plan on purchasing a pair of good condenser mics to go with it and it will be VERY good.

Soon, when the hype is over, the Yamaha Pocketrak will probably be the one everybody will want - it's incredibly small (about the size of a normal candy bar), easy to use, good sound, built in speaker - but it's too pricey right now. It'll come down when Yamaha can't get anybody to pay the $350 price tag they've had on 'em.

If money's no object get the Sony PCM-D50. The best mics out there in one of these units, except for the AKG, which costs more than my car...

[Bandmaster]

The M-Audio is "ok" as in "why not look at something that will do the same thing for less?" That would certainly be the Zoom H2. Really handy, and the variable mic patterns are really good when used judiciously. Costs less than the M-Audio, too. If you move up to the H4, plan on purchasing a pair of good condenser mics to go with it and it will be VERY good.

The Zoom H2 is not even close to the M-Audio MicroTrack II in the features list. The H2 has no 1/4" mic inputs and no phantom power, no digital s/pdif output, and no RCA line outputs. The H2 built-in mics might be better, but that's it. The H4 is a closer match in overall features.

I have been using an older M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96 for a couple years now and I am very happy with it. I have been recording the concerts for my community band using Audio Technica AT4041 mics through a Mackie 1202 mixer into the MicroTrack 24/96 with very good results. I could do it without the mixer, but it is a little easy to set the levels with the mixer. The band uses these recordings to produce it's annual double CD set for the members and the public.

[Slamson]

my mistake - I assumed that we were talking about the box as a stand-alone unit... something you could whip out of your pocket and record with. The H2 doesn't connect well with other stuff, except your computer, of course - and you can use it as a usb interface (I wouldn't recommend it, though).

If hauling a bunch of stuff around is an option, then the possibilities are almost endless... I use MOTU 896HDs with a Powerbook, along with a Royer ST24 and however many spot mics I need, personally.

I do use the H4 whenever I need something I can whip out of my pocket, but people keep mistaking it for a Tazer... "Don't taze me, Zoom!"

[Casey Tucker]

i'll second the edirol r-9. both my personal prof. and the trombone prof. (a tech junkie) both LOVE this recorder. they keep them handy at recitals in case our recording studio screws up and there's no one there. great quality and vey portable.

-CT

[sloan]

Has anyone tried the edirol r-9HD? Looks like it has many small tweaks, a (bad) speaker, etc. Right now it's at the top of my shopping list - but I'd love to hear from someone who has tried one.

[Onebaplayer]

I own the R-09HR, can say it lives up to the hype. It is the same price as the original, and includes a remote and built in speaker. The built in speaker isn't very loud, and the sound quality is only good enough to ensure the recording happened. Aside from that, it is slightly smaller than the R-09 and the remote is a god send when it comes to recording in a big hall. Not having to deal with either long tracks or running back and forth is fantastic.

This is by far the best super portable recording device I've ever used (I've used 4 tracks, minidiscs, the original R-09, as well as the other dual mic small device... zoom? (the name escapes me))

Efficient, relatively affordable, great performance.

I do wish it had a rechargeable battery pack. I use rechargeable batteries, but the battery packs are always my preference.

[SplatterTone]

One small correction to a previous post: The H2 does indeed do phantom power. Just not at 48V level, rather at the voltage of the batteries being used (~2.4 for NiMH, ~3 for alkaline). A cable like this is what one would use.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/IPMB2XF3/
I have one like the above but made by Hosa. It cost a lot less.

With that said, I will agree with previously expressed sentiment that the purpose of the small, portable recorder is to be small and portable. So the ability to plug in deluxe microphones and other paraphernalia was not a consideration for me. Here is a previous thread with some sound samples of the H2 relative to a Fostex MR8HD / Audio Technica AT3035 setup.
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=27385

There is a silicon jacket sorta kinda thing that you can get to offer a small amount of accident protection without impeding the use of the H2. I got one. It's a little bit of insurance, I think.
http://www.samsontech.com/products/part ... ccsID=1979

One thing I found out about the 2GB maximum file size limit is that if that limit is reached, the H2 will not just stop recording. It will automatically start another file. However, there will be a significant gap while the H2 closes the current file and starts another.