Recording Equipment...

[Thomas Maurice Booth]

I've been using the Zoom H2 for a little over a year now and am very pleased with it. My fiancee (a flutist) and I have both had positive experiences recording on both ends of the register spectrums.

The mic is very easy to use, the recording quality is terrific, and transfering the files onto the computer and editing them (making tracks etc.,) in Audicity works very well. Also, the small size makes transporting the mic a breeze.

I have no hesitation recommending the Zoom H2.

TMB

[sloan]

One word: Edirol

[hald]

I have a Zoom H4, which I've used to record practice sessions at community band. It works ok, and I'd agree with the other comments already posted. The one criticism I have is that the lcd screen and font the unit uses is so small it is very difficult to read, even with magnifying glasses. Supposedly the H4 has a bigger screen than the H2. At one point I took it to the store where I bought it for help; the salesman couldn't read the lcd screen either. Also, there is a phone number listed in the owner's manual which I've called several times for assistance. It is not a toll free number and, no matter what time I've called, no one has ever answered.

The unit has some good features, but because of the tiny lcd screen and font I can't recommend it.

[THE TUBA]

One word: Edirol

Yep, that's the brand I have. There is also a new Edirol recorder with a remote.

[David Schwartz]

One word: Edirol

Yep, that's the brand I have. There is also a new Edirol recorder with a remote.

I like my Edirol; the remote is very useful, for example if you position the unit high above the ensemble, but the remote is useful only at close range, about ten feet.

A year ago Chris Olka raved about the Tascam. There is a new Tascam recorder, just announced, in the $300 range, with many of the Edirol's features, and the ability to make two recordings at once, the Tascam DR-2d. Has anyone here tried it?

[Wyvern]

The mic is very easy to use, the recording quality is terrific, and transfering the files onto the computer and editing them (making tracks etc.,) in Audicity works very well. Also, the small size makes transporting the mic a breeze.

I have no hesitation recommending the Zoom H2.

I agree with all of the above! The H2 works just fine for me providing excellent recordings. The only problem I have had is batteries dying mid-concert (meaning the unsaved recording is lost). I now always load fresh batteries before any important recording.

[Slamson]

This thread always needs to be revisited because the technology's changing every day.
I, too would not recommend the ProTrack. I heard it at Midwest and the built-in mics are lousy. For what you pay for one you'd be better of spending a little more and going to a good flashcard recorder. ALMOST all of them are great, enough to say Edirol, Zoom, Tascam, Olympus, Yamaha, and Sony for starters. I've had a ZoomH4 for years, and have championed it because it can handle a pair of EXTERNAL condenser mics - the H4n is a substantial upgrade in quality and versatility, being able to record in 4-track mode. If you really think you don't need a recorder that can handle external mics (please rethink that!) then go to the Sony PCM D-50. It has the best mics available for less than $500 (you can spend more, but it would be well over a grand).

If you can't bear to live without the Touch (I've got one, and they are nifty), Blue is coming out with a new version of the Mikey in April. Unlike the old version, which was a stereo pair (fairly decent) and three different preset recording levels, the new one will also sport a line input (so you can use an external source). It should wind up being about $100. Regardless of the version, you should buy a 30-pin extension cable so the unit can hang away from the iPod - occasionally the grinding of the drive inside will transfer to the mics.

As for what mics to get - HOO-HA! A whole different thread.

[SplatterTone]

I've had the H2 for more than a year. Good sound and easy to use. The main drawback on this -- and I suspect most of the handheld units -- is the close spacing of the mics reduces the stereo sumptuousness of the sound.

Here's a comparison of the H2 and a Fostex MR8HD with a pair of Audio Technica 3035 mics (discontinued) recording similar material from the same spot in the building on two different days.

The H2:
http://t-recs.net/mpegs/FBC/2010/02_14_10/hymn1.mp3

The Fostex:
http://t-recs.net/mpegs/FBC/2010/01_24_10/hymn1.mp3

[SplatterTone]

Here is another example of the H2. This is a recorder trio playing at Trinity Episcopal Church in Tulsa. Trinity does a weekly lunch time series where individuals and small groups play a short program of usually 20 to 35 minutes. I sat the H2 on the floor about 8 feet from the performers ... one of the handy aspects of the small handheld size.

http://t-recs.net/mpegs/PMT/01_12_10/fa ... joskin.mp3

[SplatterTone]

One thing about the H2 to consider is that while it can use a SD card bigger than 2GB, it does not write to a file bigger than 2GB. Recording at CD quality wav file, 2GB gives you around 3 hours of time. The H2 has higher bit rates and resolution available, but I see little reason to use them considering the physical limitations of the H2.

However, if one is determined to use the higher rates, the 2 GB file size can be exceeded in much less time. Rather than just quit recording, the H2 will start another file and continue recording if you have space on the SD card, but there will be loss of somewhere around 10 seconds (iirc) of recording while the H2 closes one file and opens a new one. So, if you are convinced you will die and go to hell if you don't record at 96-KHz / 24-bit, keep that in mind.

[Wyvern]

One thing about the H2 to consider is that while it can use a SD card bigger than 2GB, it does not write to a file bigger than 2GB. Recording at CD quality wav file, 2GB gives you around 3 hours of time. The H2 has higher bit rates and resolution available, but I see little reason to use them considering the physical limitations of the H2.

I have been using a H2 for the last 2 years and did not know that!

However, 3 hours recording time I find quite enough for concert use. I cannot remember a concert I played lasting more than that.

[SplatterTone]

I have been using a H2 for the last 2 years and did not know that!

If I recall correctly (i.e. don't take this as gospel), the file system used is FAT32, and 2GB is a the maximum supported by FAT32.