Portable recorder

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Permalink Reply by David Lenef on September 24, 2009 at 10:23am

I bought an Edirol R-9 2-3 years ago that I really like. A bandmate uses a Tascam that does a great job too. Interestingly, I do most portable recording these days on my iPhone using the FiRe Recorder app. Times change.

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Permalink Reply by John Gundrum on September 24, 2009 at 10:42am

Tough decision and it's going to come down to how you are going to use it I think. If you are purely recording to hear how you sound and progress then I'd go with the Zoom H2. There are inputs to plug in directly and it also has built-in mics to capture the room.

I've not used the Line 6 Backtrack + Mic but from what I am seeing its a little cheaper than the Zoom. There is probably little difference in what it can do versus the Zoom H2.

I looked both up on Amazon and am seeing that the H2 has 4.5 stars and 362 reviews and the Backtrack + Mic has 4 stars and 6 customer reviews. For a product to hold 4.5 stars after 362 reviews says something about it. That's not to say the Backtrack + mic with its smaller number of reviews is not as good - just not as popular.

Take a look at the features of both products to help make the decision. If you have questions - well, come back here and ask!

John G.

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Permalink Reply by Sylvain on September 24, 2009 at 11:25am

Thanks for your answer.

I currently leaning toward the zoom H2, it just seem to have better mike. But I also find the Tascan DP-004 which was positively reviewed in a previous issue of the acoustic guitar mag.

I just trying to see the different between the two. My main goal is to record my practice in order to improve myself. So does have 4 track vs 2 will make a difference. I'm just thinking that maybe the tascam is a bit overkill for my needs but maybe it may prove useful in the long term.

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Permalink Reply by John Gundrum on September 24, 2009 at 12:20pm

In the long term the Tascam DP-004 might prove useful. It really depends on your future recording desires. In the electronics industry a long time can be a few months and a year is practically an eternity.

Figure for your needs now and the next year or so. By that time there will be a whole other bunch of recording devices to choose from.

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Permalink Reply by Sylvain on September 24, 2009 at 12:40pm

So, basically, the H2 is a field record and the Tascam Dp-004 is 4 track mixer with build in mic.
Did I understand that right?

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Permalink Reply by John Gundrum on September 24, 2009 at 12:43pm

That's it pretty much. You do have the ability to plug in directly with the H2 as well. So it's possible to use it with a mixing board to directly record what's going through the mixer.

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Permalink Reply by Sylvain on September 24, 2009 at 1:17pm

Thanks Anthony.

I'm going to the store after work. I think I'll go for the tascam. so I have the mixing function. Eventually they might come handy

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Permalink Reply by John Gundrum on September 24, 2009 at 1:25pm

You'll find it useful and fun I'm sure.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Sylvain on September 24, 2009 at 6:43pm

Hey,

Went to the store tonigh. I looked at the differents product talk with the saleman. And I finally stop my choice on the Zoom H2. Since what I really wanted was to record myself playing acoustic more than anything. I opted for less gadget but better mics.

I upload two sound samples, I recorded in my living room. If its seem weird it prolly the player and not the recorder :)

Attachments:

• STE-017.wav, 6.3 MB
• STE-032.wav, 5.6 MB

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Permalink Reply by John Gundrum on September 24, 2009 at 7:47pm

The guitar sounds really good. The only thing I would look at is positioning of the H2. The recording level is very low. I forget the kind of meter the H2 uses but you want the recording level to peak at around -10. Try moving the H2 closer to the guitar. I know the table top stand it comes with leaves a little to be desired. If you have a mic stand with a boom then you can attach the H2 to it and position it pretty much anywhere you want and at any angle.

I'm sure you're using the built-in mics. This is fine. Does your guitar have a pickup? If it does then you can try plugging directly into the H2. I do like how it sounds as is. You are getting a nice crisp sound. I'll assume the living room is rugged and not very large which is good. Rugs help absorb unwanted reflections.

Something else I noticed is the H2 is probably positioned slightly to the right of the sound hole of the guitar. I'm saying this because there is slightly more signal in left channel than the right. Try moving the H2 a little to the left to try to give the sound more balance.

It's sounding good, keep it up!
John G.

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Permalink Reply by Sylvain on September 24, 2009 at 8:37pm

I'm using a Alvarez DY74C with extra light Bronze Phosphor string, I don`t have any pickup on it and I'm using the build-in mic. Presently the mic gain is a mid-level, so I should move it to Hight then?

While recording the mic was around a foot and a half from the sound and it was a little bit to the right. I played in a small room with hard wood floor and there is some drapes hanging on the wall (does ask it`s the lady idea).

And how did you find my playing, is it really bad or supportable? Any tips on what I should really improve?
I`ll experience more with it and maybe upload more sample next week.

Thanks for the feedback

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Permalink Reply by John Gundrum on September 24, 2009 at 9:20pm

You should either raise the mic gain some or move the H2 closer or a combination. I would not try to get any closer than a foot from the guitar. The sound will also vary depending on what part of the guitar the mic is pointing. I think where you had the mic pointing was very good. It was the level and some balance that needed tweaking.

Try moving the h2 a few inches closer and a little bit to the left to help with the balance. Also raise the mic gain from where it is now (50%) to about 65% to 75%.

The best judge is you listening to what is recorded. You can compare a solo acoustic guitar recording from a CD to what you have recorded. If your recording is lower or higher in volume compared to the CD then you know to adjust the recording level and/or adjust the position of the mic.

John G.

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