TubeNet

Hey All,

I'm looking into purchasing a digital recording device to record practice sessions, lessons, maybe even some performances.

Do any of you guys have experience with this:



http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H2-Portable- ... _sv_edpp_i

I'd be interested in hearing about anyone's experience with digital recording devices.

Thanks!

The Zoom H2 is great. The gain options make a difference in the recorded sound, which is good, because it gives you a lot of options for recording in different rooms, with different ensembles, etc, etc... One of the best uses the Zoom has is making recording of live shows of any sort. My uncle, who plays around central Illinois with several gigging bands, says he always puts his H2 in the back of the bar, flips it on, and let it run. The recordings sound great, even with that much possible interference. Sure, there are some other recorders that have more features, but this recorder gets the job done just fine. And, with its price, it handily beats a lot of the competition out there.

I own an H4. It's a great recorder, as well. I have used it to record tuba, brass quintet, concert band, and rock bands. In retrospect, I could probably use the H2 instead, because I never use the 4 track capability on he H4. I do, however, like the combo XLR/1/4" inputs on the H4 (I don't think that the H2 has these). This has allowed me to 1) Plug a bass guitar directly into the device, and 2) Record directly from the board in a live situation.
The biggest downfall of the H4 involves its menus and navigation. The tiny little button can, at times, be difficult. Having said that, I'm all in all happy with the H4. I have no direct experience with the H2.

I've been using the H2 for a few months now and have been very happy with it. A wide range of file types are available and it is relatively easy to use. The levels are quick and easy to set and I've been able to make good "on the spot" recordings, even in noisy environments. Eventually I'd like to be a larger card for it but the one that's provided can provide quite a bit of recording time.

Here's my vote
http://www.bassplayer.com/article/round ... t-08/89043" target="_blank" target="_blank
Peace.
ASG

My biggest concern would be the quality of the built-in mics - how well do they perform in the lower range??
Being that all these recorders are pure digital, I am sure it is the mic and it's preamp that are typically the weakest links.

I really like the Edirol R-09, I think it might be a little more expensive, the ease of use is great though. I can give it to anybody and just say, "hit this button twice!", and know the recording will turn out really good. The quality is really great, i'd be comfortable to sending it in to any competition/audition. I record all my lessons, they turn out really clear. The trick is figuring out where to place it, and what level to set the mic's at. Theres a handy switch for hi gain and lo gain on the back, and adjusting the levels is really easy, you just hit buttons on the side. When the mic's peak out theres also a LED that goes off so you know to ajust the levels down a bit.

I love it, best money I've spent on my playing, gives instant accurate feedback! Also its GREAT to record lessons, wait a few days and go back and listen to it. You absorb much more of the information and grow faster. Its worth it! Get it now and start recording lessons!

ArnoldGottlieb wrote:Here's my vote
http://www.bassplayer.com/article/round ... t-08/89043" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
Peace.
ASG

Which one?

jacojdm wrote:

ArnoldGottlieb wrote:Here's my vote
http://www.bassplayer.com/article/round ... t-08/89043" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
Peace.
ASG

Which one?

Exactly. Everybody likes or dislikes the one unit they have. Kind of like tuba's.
Peace.
ASG

ArnoldGottlieb wrote:

jacojdm wrote:

ArnoldGottlieb wrote:Here's my vote
http://www.bassplayer.com/article/round ... t-08/89043" target="_blank"
Peace.
ASG

Which one?

Exactly. Everybody likes or dislikes the one unit they have. Kind of like tubas.
Peace.
ASG

Ah. How very sage.
The BP article does a great job of pointing out what it perceives as pros and cons of the popular models. Thanks for the link.

MartyNeilan wrote:My biggest concern would be the quality of the built-in mics - how well do they perform in the lower range??
Being that all these recorders are pure digital, I am sure it is the mic and it's preamp that are typically the weakest links.

I have a Zoom H2 that I just got a month or so ago and have been using in my studio and to record concerts and recitals here on campus.

It's GREAT! The sound recorded with the built-in mics is very true to life when recording tuba in either a small room with a suspended ceiling or a large hall. I have used it to record everything from marching band to a voice recital and have used it in practice rooms, rehearsal halls, concert halls, churches and outdoors and it hasn't disappointed me yet.

The flexibility of the 90-degree and 120-degree built-in setups is a great bonus if you'll use it in different environs for different groups.

You can record from super high quality down to super-economy quality in either .wav or .mp3 format. With the supplied memory card you can get about 7 hours of stereo 160 .mp3, and it will accept far larger cards should you need them.

The display is easy to navigate, even if you're not terribly technically skilled, and you can do several simple editing tasks right on the device, including (my favorite) splitting recorded tracks, so you can record a concert/practice/etc. in one take and break it up later without even putting the files onto your computer, if you so desire.

The biggest drawback, in my opinion, is the inability to use standard mic connections, but if you have a good mic with a 1/8" jack, you can use that.

I think the sound from the built-ins is very nice, even recording tuba, ESPECIALLY for a $200 digital device that is just a bit bigger than a deck of cards and weighs about as much without the two AA batteries on board.

Somewhere there is a site with sound samples from the H2 and several other digital devices, and I think it was posted in another thread here a little while back...

JCalkin wrote:

MartyNeilan wrote: <snip>
Somewhere there is a site with sound samples from the H2 and several other digital devices, and I think it was posted in another thread here a little while back...

Here's a link for samples:
http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/portable- ... mples.html

more samples of Zoom H2:
http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/zoom-h2-s ... mples.html

I've been very happy with the Zoom H2. Here is a clip recorded with this device in my front room with the rear internal mics......MW45s...
http://www.bassclefbrass.com/sounds/paduert4.mp3
I believe the sound quality, for the price is very attractive.

Russ Dickman

highsierra wrote:I've been very happy with the Zoom H2. Here is a clip recorded with this device in my front room with the rear internal mics......MW45s...
http://www.bassclefbrass.com/sounds/paduert4.mp3
I believe the sound quality, for the price is very attractive.

Russ Dickman

Excellent! The sensitivity of the mics picks up every nuance of your breathing!
Do you have anything on the big horn - something in the lower register, and with more lower harmonics?
Thanks,
Marty

I bought an Ikey Plus portable USB recorder a while back to make digital copies of some of my LP's. I've found that with my little Sony microphone, a predecessor to the current ECM-MS907, it makes very decent recordings. The soundstage is a little compressed compared to the same mic with my Walkman DC-6 cassette recorder but it has more headroom. It's not studio quality but it's a great practice or rehearsal aid.

It also works splendidly for the LP transcriptions. I use an outboard phono preamp, though. the one on the unit is servicable but not audiophile quality.