Mini Recorders

[BeanoBoy]

I play guitar while watching TV A LOT. If I'm lucky occasionally I'll hit on an idea for a song; cool riff, chord sequence, vocal melody. I ALWAYS tell myself "I'll remember this. It's too good to forget.' I almost always forget them. Anybody have any recommendations for those mini portable recorders? Would like to spend about $100 or so. Thanks

[mistersully]

can't help you with what you're after... but what i've been doing lately is walking over to my computer and capturing the idea with the webcam.... that way i can see what i'm playing too

[Kevman]

For a hundred bones you will need to go used. I suggest and highly recommend the Zoom PS-04. 4 track digital recorder w built in drums and bass(never use the bass on mine) as well as some pretty great guitar amp models (not tweakable but good) as well as some decent preset mastering effects.

The things do use the outdated Smart Media cards, you can use up to a 128mb card but will still fill it up pretty quick.

 

I usually record to the PS-04 then mix down out to my PC. This has to be done through the sound card on your PC as the PS-04 is old enough to NOT have usb connectivity

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http://instruments.shop.ebay.com/Musical-Instruments-/619/i.html?_nkw=ps-04&_catref=1&_fln=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282

[JohnnyDD]

A lot mp3 players have a built in recorder that is pretty basic but works well enough for your purposes. i have a little creative 15gb chip player I got for $80. That or hope that the Tascam 004's come available again for $40.

[MrChitlins]

The Zoom H2 is the gold standard for 1) cheap + 2) sounds really good.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H2-Portable-Stereo-Recorder/dp/B000VBH2IG

[homestar_kevin]

^have an h2, and love it^ +1

[DaleH]

Zoom H1 very easy to use. Really like mine.

 

[BeanoBoy]

Thanks guys! The Zoom's seem like they get some respect. I'll look into them.

[Armchair Bronco]

I have the Zoom PS-04. It works as advertised, and I've made some cool recordings with it.

 

HOWEVER...unless you keep the owner's manual next to the unit *at all times* or use the unit on a daily basis, you'll forget how to access all the internal menus at the drop of a hat.

 

I finally gave up on the PS-04 for this reason. To do anything, you have to press the select button three times (or is it two?), and then double-press "input" and scroll left (or right?) and wait for 3 seconds (or is is 4?). It's infuriating!

 

This is pretty much a common theme with all these units that try to pack in sophisticated mixing and mix-down feature into a hand-held unit. It can't be done without an owner's manual that's at least 350 pages long.

 

What I use now is my iPad and an 8-track iPad app. It's totally visual and I don't need no stinkin' owner's manual just to record a rhythm, bass, and vocals track. When you consider that the cost of a dedicated Zoom recorder can be $200 or more, the price of an entry-level WIFI iPad doesn't look so bad. I also have at least a dozen free recorder apps on the iPad, and when I just need to quickly capture a musical idea or riff, I don't even bother with the 8-track app. I just fire up a "Plain Jane" digital recorder, put the iPad on the coffee table next to the sofa where I'm jamming, and press the big red "Record" button! Works like a charm!