April 15, 2010
Handheld digital recorders
It's both fun and useful to record your practice sessions and gigs, and these days it's not that hard to get good results, if you have a digital handheld recorder. Considering the price point and variety of handheld digital recorders currently available, you don't have a lot of excuse to not be recording. These handy little recorders provide you with high quality audio, and the recordings can also easily be transferred to your computer. There are a lot of products available on the market, and all of them provide good audio results. They differ mainly in number of features and options, like input and output jack configurations, file formats and sizes, etc.
Below I have listed a few of the good recorders I know of. I haven't tested them all personally, but I have sources who have confirmed the quality of these products, and I honestly don't think you can go wrong with any of these. You can click on the product to be taken to a product page where you can read more details and reviews for each. If you get one or have one of these, let me know how you like it!
Sony PCM-M10
This is the smallest addition to Sony's family of portable audio recorders - the PCM-M10 portable recorder. It is a palm-sized compact recording unit designed to be the perfect musician's tool for composing music, recording voice, instruments, practice sessions, and performances—even for use as a personal music player.
The PCM-M10 is designed to faithfully capture even the most subtle nuances of live performances and events. It is conveniently small in size but packs in many beneficial features: a five-second pre-record buffer, WAV and MP3 format record and play, USB port for easy uploads and downloads, Digital Pitch Control, and a MicroSD/Memory Stick Micro slot. Providing 24-bit/96kHz recording, a 4 GB built-in flash memory, user-friendly operation, and electret condenser stereo microphones, the PCM-M10 hand-held recorder is the ideal choice for making live musical, nature sounds, and field recordings.
Key features of the Sony PCM-M10 recorder include a built-in speaker, cross-memory recording, digital pitch control, digital limiter, low-cut filter, track mark functions, a 5-second pre-recording buffer and A-B repeat capability. The PCM-M10 comes supplied with Sound Forge Audio Studio Recorder Edition software.The portable recorder includes a USB high-speed port for simple uploading and downloading of native WAV or MP3 format recorded files to and from Windows PC or Macintosh computers. The M10 offers durable metal construction and long battery life using conventional AA alkaline batteries.
Tascam DR-2d
TASCAM's DR-2d Portable Digital Recorder brings high-resolution recording to a compact, affordable package. It offers up to 96kHz/24-bit WAV or MP3 recording to SD cards, and recordings can be transferred to computer through high-speed USB 2.0. A new dual recording feature records a copy of your audio at a lower level, so if the level suddenly jumps you have a backup instead of a distorted performance.
Record using the new built-in condenser microphones or plug in your own. You can slow down recordings without changing the pitch, and there's even a metronome and built-in speaker. The DR-2d provides hours of recording time using a pair of AA batteries. making it the perfect partner for songwriting, live performance, rehearsal or home studio recording.
- Built-in stereo condenser microphones
- Dual recording function records a copy of your audio at a lower level, so you always have a backup in case of overload
- Up to 96kHz/24-bit WAV recording or MP3 recording modes
- Records to SD or SDHC cards
- Internal effects including reverb
- Auto-recording function
- Limiter, low cut filter and auto gain control for input
- Metronome
- Variable Speed Audition
- Loop playback mode
- USB 2.0 connection for file transfer
- 1/8" stereo microphone input
- 1/8" stereo line input
- 1/8" stereo headphone output
- 128x64 backlit LCD display
- Powered by two AA batteries or optional PS-P520
- Built-in speaker
- Includes wireless remote control, 2GB SD card, AA batteries and carrying pouch
Edirol R-09 Handheld Recorder
Building on the success of the R-1, the R-09 takes many of the most desired features - 24-bit uncompressed recording and a built-in stereo mic - and shrinks it all down into a more streamlined, stylish, and affordable package.
Key Features
- 24-bit/48kHz (or 44.1kHz) linear PCM recording
- Ultra portable, half the size of the R-1
- Up to 320 kbps MP3 recording
- Records to SD card
- Isolated Adaptive Recording Circuit (I.A.R.C.)
- High-grade stereo condenser microphone built in
- Mic and Line audio inputs
- High speed file transfer via USB 2.0 connection to computer
- Easy operation, user-friendly graphic display
- Time & date stamp
- Long battery life (4 hour recording with 2 AA batteries)
Olympus LS-10 Linear PCM Recorder
The Olympus LS-10 Recorder brings you high-fidelity sound recording that's ideal for everything from live music to the singing of birds. The LS-10 delivers unparalleled sound quality, anytime, anywhere because it combines the advanced technologies derived from Olympus' decades of experience in the recording field. 24-bit/96kHz Linear PCM Recording - the LS-10 will let you capture it all exactly as you hear it. Up to 12 Hours of Recording Capability — 2GB Built-in Memory and SD Slot The 2GB built-in flash memory assures immediate recording, while the SD slot allows for expanded capacity. Long battery life allows you to record music, performances or lectures up to 12 hours with two AA batteries, so you can spend less time worrying about recharging or replacing batteries.
Three Recording Formats: WAV, MP3, and WMA The LS-10 Linear PCM Recorder makes it easy to record audio and play back the files in the format of your choice. With three compatible file formats, the Olympus LS-10 offers impressive versatility and enables longer recording capacity.
Zoom H2
Simplicity is a beautiful thing.
It's a simple idea: provide brilliant stereo recording in an easy-to-use, ultra-portable device. Now everyone can record pristine audio in an infinite variety of applications. From seminars and conferences, to electronic news gathering (ENG) and podcasting, to musical performances, songwriting sessions and rehearsals, the H2 provides amazing recording quality. And no matter what kind of music you perform or the instrument you play, the H2 can effortlessly record it in high-quality stereo.
Features:
- W-XY mic patterns with 4 mic capsules and signal processing allows Front 90 cardioid, Rear 120 cardioid and 360 polar patterns
- Built-in USB 2.0 interface
- Records in WAV 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit, MP3 to 320kbps and Variable Bit Rate (VBR) data formats
- Time Stamp and Track Marker functions in Broadcast WAV Format (BWF)
- 512MB SD memory card included
- Accommodates up to 16GB SD memory cards
- Auto Gain Control (AGC) for pristine recordings
- Auto Start function means you're always ready to record
- Low-cut filter eliminates wind noise
- On-board chromatic Guitar/Bass tuner
By Robert Renman - www.dolphinstreet.com
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