Recording Setup

[BriceT]

Hey Everyone,

To step up my playing I have decided to start recording the solos, etudes, exercises, excerpts, etc. that I am working on. Right now I'm just using my Mac at home, but I want to set up a pretty descent recording space.

I am looking to buy a pretty high quality digital recorder, microphones, and anything else that is needed. I have heard that the Edirol-R09 (I think that is right) is a good recorder, but that is really the only piece of equipment that I am aware of.

I also am looking for something that is somewhat portable.

My current situation is pretty straightforward. My practice area is pretty large with about a 25 ft. ceiling with great acoustics, and I play on a Miraphone 1291 (hence my signature).

Thanks in advance!

[SplatterTone]

Here some biz on the Zoom H2 if you want portable. I'll probably add to the thread as I mess around with it some more.
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=27385&p=238801" target="_blank" target="_blank

[Slamson]

Lots of us who have been using portable units for years are always frustrated when technology improves faster than our wallets can endure it...
I've been using the Zoom H4 for two years, mostly as a backup for live recordings, and while I enjoy the built-in mics, they don't compare with a good pair of condenser mics set on a stand in the appropriate position (which, of course, depends on the environment). I've tried a few other similar units like the Edirol R-09 and the Sony D-50, and the same holds true, although the mics on the D-50 are much better than those on most units in that price range. Problem is, most units don't have XLR connectors and phantom power to add a good pair. To REALLY get quality internal mics, you need to go for the Sony PCM D-1 (about $1400), but personally I would still recommend getting an H4 (one of my students just bought one on ebay for $189), which has XLR connectors and phantom power, and then spending more on a good pair of mics to go with it (that, of course is another topic that we can spend a LOT of time discussing!) I spent about $500 for the pair I normally use, and I've used a Royer SF-24 (about $4000) that's made recordings with it that are simply astounding.
If portability is really important, the newest, COOLEST portable out there - by far is the Yamaha Pocketrak. About 2 inches wide, maybe a half-inch thick, weighs a couple of ounces, records on one AAA battery for 9 hours in mp3 mode (can do WAV, too). Has a little "bow-tie" stereo mic that is adequate for rehearsals, critiquing, discrete recordings of performances, etc. Not for "professional" recordings, but great for carrying around in your pocket. Right now it retails for $449, but it just came out - the price will drop quickly.

[Jay Young]

I also have a Mac. I use Garage Band, good condenser mics (can't remember the names) and a USB interface (M-Audio.) Garage Band is awesome for doing stuff like this. It's not the easiest thing to tote around (computer, mic box, and interface), but if you're looking for quality, ease of use, and an ability to edit out dead space, I'd strongly suggest using a computer and recording software.

If you don't like Garage Band, the USB interface comes with some pretty good stuff.

Good luck!

[Phil Dawson]

Check out Sweetwater.com New gear in all price ranges is coming out almost daily. If you call them their sales people are very helpful. They also have very good prices. I have bought from them and they are great folks.
Good luck, Phil

[jimgray]

I just bought an Olympus LS-10, and am pretty pleased with it.
The folks at Guitar Center matched an online price I found for $300 (as opposed to $400, which is the going rate).
Super sturdy construction, very small, great interface, very quiet unit (low noise floor), great battery life, records 24-bit and 96kHz!
The onboard mics are OK, but I will probably use my AT822 most of the time.
That mic sounds better than anything they will put in a prosumer level device (except perhaps the $2K Sony).

I'd suggest the Marantz PMD620 if you have $400 to spend and don't have a better condenser microphone laying around - I think the onboards mics are warmer than other similar devices.
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oreilly ... eview.html" target="_blank

Wingfield Audio has a GREAT web site that compares devices of this class deeply, including audio samples.
http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/marantz-p ... eview.html" target="_blank

If you aren't TOO picky and on a budget, the Zoom H2 has merits too...

Jim

[keegan watson]

I have been looking into the same stuff. Portability isn't as big of an issue for me so I have settled for a mac book, using a mixer with a USB connection (Alesis 8 channel mixer ($150)), 2 Shure SM-57 mics ($100 each), and the mixer comes with decent software that will do all I need for the time. If I out grow the program it wouldn't be too far to step up to a program like pro tools or nuendo. I ran all of this by a friend who is majoring in audio engineering and said this would be a great and affordable set up that would be easy to use and turn out studio quality. Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Keegan

[MaryAnn]

Friend of mine did an "amateur" recording of the brass band. By amateur I mean he is not a recording engineer, although he is some kind of engineer. It was knock-down-drag-out the best quality amateur recording I've ever heard; almost up there with commercial recordings, in terms of the sound quality I hear on the CD.

The bad news is that he has one little gizmo that itself cost $1500, and it's just some inline piece in his setup. I mean, if you want Quality with a Kapital Kue, it's gonna cost ya.

MA