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Post by thesmitchens on Apr 9, 2008 21:30:15 GMT -4
Ok, I'm in the market for a recorder. I've got a range of about $400 to spend, so I'm looking for the best bang for my buck. I've landed upon a few questions for purchasing a quality recorder. They are as follows.
-Are there brands that are reputed as good/bad and what makes them such? -What exactly is the difference between a recorder and a mixer? -If I was to plug a USB hard drive into a recorder would I be able to use it as my source for recording?
Any other thoughts are welcome.
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Rustee
Full Member
pima practitioner
Posts: 214
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Post by Rustee on Apr 10, 2008 0:23:05 GMT -4
-What exactly is the difference between a recorder and a mixer? Well generally the mixer would have greater eq range, more inputs of various types, and perhaps better volume/gain control. Most standalone recorders nowadays have most of the essential mixer functions, though again, not always to the same degree. Ideally they'd be used complementary. Not only might you use the mixer for the recording levels, but for the latter mix-down as well. It might also serve other audio functions (if powered) like for monitors and PA speakers. I'm don't consider myself qualified enough to comment on the other 2 questions...I'll leave those to others. I'll just add that of course, it all depends on what you want to achieve. If you want to get some 1-4 track ideas down with relative ease, then you might look into something like this. It's new, packs a lot into one unit, and is getting great reviews (though I can't speak for it...it just looked interesting). Otherwise, the p/c interface route with programs and plugins - though perhaps more technical, potentially expensive, and restrictive to recording in front of your computer - is more on the polished album quality side...a la Schmange
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Post by docsimon on Apr 10, 2008 15:47:16 GMT -4
Ok, I'm in the market for a recorder. I've got a range of about $400 to spend, so I'm looking for the best bang for my buck. I've landed upon a few questions for purchasing a quality recorder. They are as follows.
-Are there brands that are reputed as good/bad and what makes them such?
Zoom / Boss = crap
Apogee / MOTU = good
-What exactly is the difference between a recorder and a mixer?
A recorder records and a mixer mixes. Mixers don't usually have any facility to record as there job is to balance signal levels and combine them to a stereo or mono output.
-If I was to plug a USB hard drive into a recorder would I be able to use it as my source for recording?
Not really, standalone recorders normally have there own internal HDDs
Any other thoughts are welcome.
400 bucks is not much but it might just be enough.
How you deploy your funds really depends on what you want to do and how much user skill you have. If I were you I'd get a second hand Korg D1200 off eBay and save up for a couple of reasonable mics. Id have a good look through musicians friend and pick an SM57 or SM58 type mics (ebay for these also they are built lie tanks) and at least one large diaphragm condenser for vocals and all.
Then record everything you can experimenting with mic placement and type as well as learning how to use the recorder.
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Post by Skeleton Keys on Apr 10, 2008 19:42:20 GMT -4
In terms of brands... I agree with Simon about Boss being crap. From what I've dealt with, thier products (Sorry, I cant remember which exactly) work well for a while, but are prone to going down on you in the first few months. True, I tend to be a bit hard on all my equipment.
My Fostex M16 is a ridiculuosly amazing peice though. It handles anything I do at home, though I plan on using it with my band, which will now include a bassist, and probably while playing jazz tunes with my teacher. They are hell of pricey, though, and it might be a little big than what your looking for, though I think they have an 8 track version that's essentially the same thing. It's very versatile and capable, and is an important tool in my home recording... I just need to finish learning how to use the damn thing... So yes, I reccomend Fostex.
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Post by earthman on Apr 10, 2008 21:08:22 GMT -4
I would just like to say that my Boss Micro BR is not crap. It's certainly not the greatest recording device, but it is remarkable for being just a little bigger than your average wallet.
It was less than $400, too. If you've got the money to get something better, definitely go for it, but the BR is pretty good for the price.
And that's about the extent of my recording knowledge.
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Post by docsimon on Apr 11, 2008 2:56:42 GMT -4
I'd not try to record a symphony orchestra or a whole band inc miced drums on a Boss Machine. Or a Behringer. Or a Zoom for that. That is why I have the opinion I have. However if it works for you, hey cool. However don't stand it next to a pro rig costing 1000 x more and expect it to deliver the same audio quality. It will not by reason of things like physics.
The reasons I don't like the Boss machines is that a) the sound quality i.e. formats they use are not very good and b) they also rely on presets which, although it makes them easy to use mean that, to someone who is used to driving a stick shift and having a great deal of control over what they record, you can't get to the bits that you may need to tweak in a hurry. If I'm in a critical situation i.e. the red light is on and I see something is looking a little like peaking out, I need to do something about it in a hurry without it necessarily being audible like slightly adjust the compression ratio. Not hard on my rig, very difficult on a Boss micro-recorder.
What this comes down to is that a big rig and a little rig are for different jobs and you are right this doesn't mean either are crap providing they are used for there intended application. Would you use Abby road to record a riff that may or may no go into a song as a memory jogger ? No !! Would you use a micro-recorder to record the New York Philharmonic ? No !!
However, saying that, don't think it can compete with a PT HD / Apogee system. Pros will regularly pay 10x more for a microphone and this is not just for having the brand name in there mic locker. Check out the price of U87 !
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Post by earthman on Apr 11, 2008 14:02:16 GMT -4
Would you use Abby road to record a riff that may or may no go into a song as a memory jogger ? No !! Would you use a micro-recorder to record the New York Philharmonic ? No !! Well, I would, but I just like to argue with you.
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Post by Mr. G. on Apr 11, 2008 15:13:36 GMT -4
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Post by thesmitchens on Apr 11, 2008 22:03:10 GMT -4
Well, this certainly has been informative. Doc, your extensive details have been noted and appreciated, as have the others as well.
Perhaps this will give an idea on just what I'm shooting for. I'm obviously shooting for the most bang for my buck, but the circumstances are tight as I've got a budget and a lot of things to get a hold of. I'm wanting something I can plug into when I jam as to keep my ideas beyond my memory, and something I can get good, clean demo songs recorded including drums.
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Post by Mr. G. on Apr 12, 2008 10:08:28 GMT -4
Does it need to be portable, or could you do all of your recording in the same room as your computer?
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Post by thesmitchens on Apr 12, 2008 11:25:11 GMT -4
As far as portability goes, I suppose it doesn't need to be the most economical, but it will be moved around a bit. As far as I know, it will only be one of two places, and the distance between them is less than five minutes.
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Post by Mr. G. on Apr 12, 2008 19:42:26 GMT -4
I was going to suggest a computer setup, but that wouldn't work since you'll need to move it around.
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Post by thesmitchens on Apr 17, 2008 15:48:11 GMT -4
Is there a big quality difference between the Korg D12 and D1200? And are they the same differences between the D16 and D1600?
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Post by docsimon on Apr 19, 2008 1:56:52 GMT -4
I think the D12s ad D16s are old and not as user friendly like don't have USB ports etc. Id go with the newer D1200. I sold my old one to LATS a couple of years ago so yep I have used em and know they are great.
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