Recorders and Microphones

[JP]

Recorders and Microphones

I'm thinking about buying a recorder. I've read the comments in this forum about the Edirol R-09, Zoom H4N, and Zoom H2. I also have a friend who has the H4N and speaks very highly of it, but says that the user interface is complicated and the manual hard to follow. I am an amateur musician, and am just looking for a tool to produce a high quality recording of my playing for my scrutiny. Seems to me that the H2 is the best choice, especially considering it is half the cost of the other two. Looking for opinions from those of you who have experience with these recorders.

Also, what options/accessories should I purchase to round out the package?

Thanks much.

JP

[davewerden]

Recorders and Microphones

Originally posted by: JP Also, what options/accessories should I purchase to round out the package?

Easy: a good external stereo mic. One choice is shown above. Another is described in this post. This is important for a couple reasons. First, you will be getting a better microphone, which will make any of the recorders you mention sound better. Second, you have more options for placement. That, too, will make the recordings sound better.

Along with the mic, you might want to get a decent portable stand for it. Some have fold-up bases (usually tripod). Another option is to get a desktop mic stand, which can be placed on top of a music stand. That option doesn't get the mic as high as might be preferred but it works pretty well anyway and it makes your equipment very easy to tote around.

[davewerden]

Recorders and Microphones

Oo Oo Oo - I forgot one very important item. If your recorder uses AA batteries, buy Eneloop rechanrgables and a portable charger. You can easily pack the set in a suitcase if you are on the road (as I have done a few times). And these batteries are great - no memory effect, and they hold a charge for a year or so. Both mics I suggest run on AA, and many of the small recorders do. These will make your life simpler!





Sanyo Eneloop 4 Pack AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargable Batteries w/ Charger

These little guys are one of only a few products that I recommend with absolutely no reservation or qualification! I use them in recorders, flashlights, microphones, digital camera, and my old Walkman tape player. My church has also started using them for the battery-hungry wireless mics.

[JP]

Recorders and Microphones

Thanks Dave! Has anyone done a side-by-side comparison of the H2 and H4N or Edirol R-09?

JP

[RickF]

Recorders and Microphones

This thread is a bit dated, so I wonder if there are any better solutions out there today. My comm band asked me to look into finding a better way to record our concerts. Any recordings we make are not for sale but are used by fellow band members. What we use now to record our concerts is a Tascam DR-2D recorder. We don't use external mics, just the built-in mics on the unit itself. We don't hear much of the low voices near the back of the band - but do hear a lot of flutes and clarinets . We mount the unit high (up about 8') behind our conductor near the edge of the stage on the tripod. It has a wireless remote so someone can pause it during breaks. I'm not sure but I suspect our problem might be NOT using external mics.

Any recommendations or suggestions? Thanks.

[davewerden]

Rick,

I'd suggest:

1. Use an external mic. I use an Audio-Technica stereo mic and it gives me great results, with plenty of low range. Listen to some of the videos I recently posted, made with that mic. The low end of the piano really comes through well, I think. The model I use is discontinued, but here is a similar mic: Audio-Technica Stereo Mic
   I've also heard very good things about a Rode stereo mic.
2. Move the mic back more. I think you may have a proximity problem. The ratio of the distance from the mic to the high ww's is large compared to that between the mic and low brass. That requires either a good X/Y pattern or cardioid mics probably. Omni-directional will sound too echo-laden from the longer distance.
3. If you can't move it back, and maybe even if you can, try to elevate it more. That will help a little with the distance-ratio-thing mentioned above. Also consider the line of sight. The lower the mic the more the bodies of the front rows are blocking the direct sound of the back rows.

[RickF]

Thanks Dave,

All of your suggestions make a lot of sense. The mics cost more than the recorder itself.

[davewerden]

The mics cost more than the recorder itself.

Yep! The recorder has an easy job. It's mostly run by chips that are easily mass-produced and whose price gets lower with time. A mic still involves precision assembly and moving parts.

Envision the principle it by reversing the sound stream. If you have a so-so amplifier/receiver in your stereo system and so-so speakers, you can make a huge improvement by upgrading to really good speakers. But with the old speakers in place, adding a new amp won't be as much of an apparent improvement.

[RickF]

I remember the early days of stereo (vacuum tube era). The real audiophile would have separate components... pre-amp, power amp, good turntable with low 'wow and flutter'. They'd spend lots of money just on a cartridge for their turntable. Then some great speakers - some had a sand-filled cabinet. The old saying of "it's only as strong as its weakest link" still applies.

Thanks again.

[Davidus1]

Ok. So its 2018. Are there new mics or recorders that would be better suited for low brass recording or are the things mentioned previously still the best available? I have zero experience in recording but am interested in putting some recordings together.

[davewerden]

Ok. So its 2018. Are there new mics or recorders that would be better suited for low brass recording or are the things mentioned previously still the best available? I have zero experience in recording but am interested in putting some recordings together.

Sort of. But mic and recorder technology has not changed much for sound quality. Changes to electronics have added new features, though.

Here is my latest thought on the subject:

http://www.dwerden.com/forum/entry.p...r-Good-Quality

[Davidus1]

Sort of. But mic and recorder technology has not changed much for sound quality. Changes to electronics have added new features, though.

Here is my latest thought on the subject:

http://www.dwerden.com/forum/entry.p...r-Good-Quality

Thanks Dave! I'll check that out as I'm interested in doing some recording of duets and things.

[Jasonium]

What are the best options for recording yourself in a small sized room to critique your own playing?

I'm currently using a Blue Snowball on a boom arm placed about a foot from my bell on the -10dB cardioid setting. I can't get far enough away from the mic to avoid clipping while using the omnidirectional setting.