I’m interested in doing some recordings at our weekly sessions and am researching portable recording devices. I’ve done some reading on the Zoom PS-04 and it looks like a pretty nifty gadget. Does anyone have any recommendations for other devices in this category or experiences they can share?
If minidisc is acceptable, the Sharp MD190 (i think it’s called 200 now, but it’s basically the same thing) is hard to beat:
- As easy to use as you old cassette recorder, with a lot less bulk
- records for hours and hours with the internal battery
- use an external AA battery as backup power if needed
- easy to use recording level control, a real button you can press not a dad-burned menu
- costs about $200, without the microphone. I picked up a good Radio Shack mic for $14, but that's discontinued. You can get the fancy Sony mic on eBay for $70 usually, but there's got to be other good options that are cheaper. This recorder is quiet enough that it's possible to use a directly attached "T" stereo mic, without a cable, for compactness.
Just think of it as a nice cassette recorder…
I have the PS 04 for a few days now and so far its everything I was looking for. The internal mic seems to be more than you will need for a session recording. You will need to get a 128 mb smart media card. Just make sure that it compatible. I have a SanDisk and it work great.
Let’s pretend I don’t know much about computers. Alright, it doesn’t take much to imagine that, but still…
If I have music on a minidisc or memory stick, how do I get it into my computer? Also, is it recorded in digital or analog format? I’ve looked through the web sites but can’t seem to find out the details.
Howdy,
Unfortunately, Minidisc is a closed format. You cannot digitally move the files to your computer. You can hook a cable from the minidisc’s headphone jack to your sound card’s audio in jack and record an analog copy, however.
As for other players, it depends on what player you buy. Most should record in MP3, so the format is not a problem. But you would have to check the instructions to see how the file is moved to your computer.
Best,
Dave
Let assume you have a relatively modern computer and that you have a USB Port. There are many memory card readers on the market they usually go between 15 to 25 dollars. If you are looking for one check the http://www.edealinfo.com/index.shtml site they list new deals each day.
Some times the recording device will come with it own cable and connect directly to the computer.
Hi Wizzer,
How quickly can you set it up to record a new track once you’ve done a recording? Do you just leave it in record mode and pause/unpause the unit? Looking at some of the other micro-studios, it seemed like it took a lot of steps just to make a simple recording, so I’ve stuck with minidisc and high-quality voice recorders, but have been eyeing the micro-studios as a possible upgrade…
Cheers,
Michael
Key strokes are System key, bring up poject select new with the cursor and hit enter twice and you are ready to go. (there is a little more about setting up you volume on the fader and picking your source (ie: internal mic, Imput (guirat or micrphone) or line in witch could be a mic.
But you can only record on two chanels at a time.
I am still learning the ropes but as I stated this seems to do everything I want. Plus I picked up a USB smart media card reader for free (after rebate) last week.
There is a fourm like this one on the PS-04
http://www.2090.org/zoom/bbs/viewforum.php?f=8&sid=2224372fda6e49a0b0b5387f1dd19db8
Hope this helps
Phil
With minidisc, thanks to Sony’s stupidity, the only way is to use the audio output into the computer’s soundcard. That’s why i say, if you have minidisc, just consider it a very nice cassette recorder and it won’t piss you off too much.
To transfer to the computer, something that records in an open format (such as MP3 or WAV) is what you want. There are a couple of MP3 recorders in the wild, but so far i haven’t seen one with a good user interface yet. But ideally you would create a MP3 or WAV file in the device, then connect it to the PC with an USB cable, and then just transfer the file (the device should emulate an external disk for the PC’s benefit).
g
I sure get confused by these competing technologies and their interfaces. I want, like others, the ability to record band practice, session or concerts (for personal use only of course) and use it in a variety of ways: playback (headphones or over speakers), possible manipulation through Slowdowner (via computer of course), and to share with other band members etc etc via homemade CDs or email mp3s or post… And plug in an external mic.
I have read the threads, browsed the posted links, and I feel awash in models, updated models and comparative features.
Should I just go back to portastudios or what?? They have gotten quite cheap even tho we all know cassettes are cheezy. I checked out the Zoom and apparently they have some physical flaws, like a selection wheel that can fall off with moderate use!
Over Xmas break, I read about the Ipods 18-month battery.. What a joke. Buy the most expensive mp3 player then toss it after a year and a half cause its too much trouble to replace the battery. But you will look so cool, like on the billboards. Right.
My personal (humble) opinion: if you want something right now that records good stereo with very small size and little fuss, get the Sharp MT200 minidisc (or email sales@minidisco.com and ask what they recommend for live recording). It’s as easy to use as a cassette recorder, and you don’t have to FF/Rewind like a cassette. Great sound quality too. But no easy way to transfer the material to a computer to burn CDs, you have to basically re-record it from the minidisc into the computer.
If you need multiple channels, then maybe a Portastudio or one of the newer models with hard disks. Harder to use, but a lot more resources.
If you can wait a couple more years (
) there should eventually appear something in the market that records MP3s OGGs or WAVs and has a decent user interface. I almost bought an Archos MP3 recorder, but found out that the user interface stinks, and the hardware is very unreliable.
For example, something that you just can’t live without is a level control that you can access with your fingers, some kind of button, to turn the recording level up or down, as well as some kind of meter so you know if you’re recording too hot or too soft.
I trust the guys at http://www.minidisco.com, by the way. This is a very rare thing these days.
g
Thanks for recommendation, Glaub. I guess that what I forgot to say is that it seems like waiting for a format to win out is the key. Then the design and practicality stabilizes. I never have been on the leading edge of any electronic thing, so I guess its predictable on my part to feel this way.
They seem too pricey right now, considering you can buy a 60 gig harddrive for $60 and a scanner for less than $100… I know its miniaturized technology, but that seems ubiquitous as well…
R and D is necessary, but I sure hate paying for it…
Signed,
Scrooge Weekender
Hi Whizzer,
Any chance you could post a high quality .mp3 file somewhere of one of your session recordings so we can hear how well it works? Sounds like a very useful tool to add to my recording arsenal.
Cheers and thanks,
Michael
You should be able to find something here http://www.2090.org/zoom/bbs/viewforum.php?f=6
until I get around to putting something down that I would want other (besides my cats) to hear.
Phil
Thanks for the link! How long do the batteries last and how long can you record a mono track at reasonably high quality?
Cheers and thanks,
Michael
Actually, Phil, what I’d like to hear is something from a user. Manufacturers are notorious for cleaning up their sound samples, and, as I mentioned in another thread, I’ve had zoom equipment in the past that was very noisy. If you’re too shy to play, maybe record some short clips off a stereo, either direct to line ins or through a mic, and then post those clips without doing any noise reduction or other processing on them. I’d be interested in the zoom unit but only if I can be sure it doesn’t have the same kind of outrageous hiss that my Zoom multi-effects unit had.
Slightly OT.
i have a mic which plugs into a soundcard that came with voice recognition software. My whistle recordings are not so hot. Would a better mic help? if so any recommendations?
thanks
brian
Do you mean the card is not recognizing the voicing of your whistle? 
Sorry. couldn’t resist. Yes, a better microphone will probably help.
I just thought i’d mention a good resource for audio:
A lot of good knowledge there, good search function, helpful people (as long as you use the forum responsibly).
g
A note from the “Ya oughta know better department”…
I was loaned a demo Sharp MD200 minidisc from a local electronics store and recorded some of our open session tonight. Sounds real good. Problem is, since I have to return the demo minidisc tomorrow I have nothing to play it on. I can hear me now, “uh, honey, since I can’t listen to the recording I made and learn the new songs I’ll need to get a minidisc recorder to hear it.” Oh yeah. That’s gonna go over real big in my house.
Dough! 