Best value digital audio recorder for voice at DVinfo.net

Barry Hunt · January 17th, 2009, 06:06 PM

Hi there,

I am writing an article for a paper and will need a digital voice recorder. I did have a mini disc but that broke so I was wondering if anybody knows the best option. I work on a mac and would like something that is not too big and has got a decent range. In other words I would like to be able to leave it on a desk and record the guy rather than have to stick it other his face.
I do have a at897 mike but someone told me you can get ones with a mic built in.

Any advice of info would be appreciated
regards

Colin McDonald · January 17th, 2009, 06:18 PM

I've found the Zoom H2 ZOOM which I bought as a simple solution for recording sermons at church has exceeded expectations and is certainly worth considering. I think it was £138.

Barry Hunt · January 17th, 2009, 06:23 PM

thanks for that Colm

May go with an ipod and a mic. Anyone ever used these?

Thanks

Jim Andrada · January 17th, 2009, 06:45 PM

Well, you could stick a USB or other mic directly into your Mac (if it's a MacBook, that is, otherwise it probably isn't as portable as you'd like.)

The built-in mic on the MacBook Pro is good enough for capturing voice if you're interested in the content and don't intend to use the recording itself for much other than just an intelligible capture.

Christopher Glavan · January 17th, 2009, 06:46 PM

That's gonna depend entirely on which generation your iPod is. Apple has been shipping them with 'memo' disabled for a long time. I have a gen5 video iPod and the 'memo' function doesn't work. If you'd like to use your iPod, you might want to check this out:

Alesis ProTrack

Dunno about the quality of sound but you get a lot of features and you can record to your iPod (can't beat the storage capacity!).

Personally, I have a Zoom H4 and I have no complaints.

Jon Fairhurst · January 17th, 2009, 08:39 PM

The Zoom H4 and M-Audio Microtrack II are the least expensive recorders for using your own mics. Both have phantom power. The H4 has XLRs and built-in mics. The Microtrack has balanced 1/4" TRS inputs, so the quality is as good as an XLR, but you need an adapter cable. The Microtrack comes with a little stereo T-mic and a 1m 1/8" cable for it.

We bought the Microtrack II. I've read some reviews that complain about noise on the H4, but I haven't confirmed it personally.

Last night my youngest son (our audio production guy) recorded with 24dB of headroom at 24-bits using an AT815b. Even after boosting the levels, he was really happy with the low noise levels. This is great, because we can set and forget the levels, and he can concentrate on operating the boom.

Jack Walker · January 17th, 2009, 08:41 PM

A unit made for this purpose is the Olympus DS-50 voice recorder. It is very good:
Olympus | DS-50 Digital Voice Recorder | 141915 | B&H Photo Video

Olympus makes a variety of voice recorders, for professional and home use:
Olympus Voice Recorder | B&H Photo Video

Chris Soucy · January 17th, 2009, 09:21 PM

Could do worse than this:

H2 Handy Recorder

or this:

H4

tho' the latter has been superceded by the Zoom H4, er, x, or was it a, or could it be...........whatever.

Can't find a URL for it (the new one, think it was announced during the latest trade show[s]).

I'm sure you'll get other suggestions.

I happen to have the H4 and it works ok with a few niggles. The 2 looks a superior design.

Here's the Wikipedia review of the H2.

Zoom H2 Handy Recorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Good luck.

CS

PS: Couldn't update your details with your location could you?

Click on the "Contact Us" button at the bottom of the page and send a message to the mods.

Much obliged.

Guy Cochran · January 19th, 2009, 07:20 PM

Is your Mac a portable?

If you've already got the shotgun mic, would one of these work? MXL USB Mic Mate™ Pro

Ilya Spektor · January 19th, 2009, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Soucy

...Can't find a URL for it (the new one, think it was announced during the latest trade show[s])...

You mean, new H4n:
Zoom H4n mobile audio recorder | CES 2009 - CNET Blogs

Paul Mailath · January 19th, 2009, 11:14 PM

how about this little beauty - I tried it out on a wedding recently and it worked a treat

Belkin : GoStudio

January 17th, 2009, 06:06 PM	#1
Barry Hunt Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 137	Best value digital audio recorder for voice Hi there, I am writing an article for a paper and will need a digital voice recorder. I did have a mini disc but that broke so I was wondering if anybody knows the best option. I work on a mac and would like something that is not too big and has got a decent range. In other words I would like to be able to leave it on a desk and record the guy rather than have to stick it other his face. I do have a at897 mike but someone told me you can get ones with a mic built in. Any advice of info would be appreciated regards Last edited by Barry Hunt; January 17th, 2009 at 06:08 PM. Reason: duplcate

January 17th, 2009, 06:23 PM	#3
Barry Hunt Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 137	thanks thanks for that Colm May go with an ipod and a mic. Anyone ever used these? Thanks

January 17th, 2009, 06:46 PM	#5
Christopher Glavan Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 260	That's gonna depend entirely on which generation your iPod is. Apple has been shipping them with 'memo' disabled for a long time. I have a gen5 video iPod and the 'memo' function doesn't work. If you'd like to use your iPod, you might want to check this out: Alesis ProTrack Dunno about the quality of sound but you get a lot of features and you can record to your iPod (can't beat the storage capacity!). Personally, I have a Zoom H4 and I have no complaints. __________________ Reel Impressions Media - Make it more than a memory GY-HD100- 7D- PSC Promix 3- Lectro/Sennheiser- Zoom H4- MPB- CS6/CC

January 17th, 2009, 08:39 PM	#6
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	The Zoom H4 and M-Audio Microtrack II are the least expensive recorders for using your own mics. Both have phantom power. The H4 has XLRs and built-in mics. The Microtrack has balanced 1/4" TRS inputs, so the quality is as good as an XLR, but you need an adapter cable. The Microtrack comes with a little stereo T-mic and a 1m 1/8" cable for it. We bought the Microtrack II. I've read some reviews that complain about noise on the H4, but I haven't confirmed it personally. Last night my youngest son (our audio production guy) recorded with 24dB of headroom at 24-bits using an AT815b. Even after boosting the levels, he was really happy with the low noise levels. This is great, because we can set and forget the levels, and he can concentrate on operating the boom. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

January 17th, 2009, 09:21 PM	#8
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,691 Images: 18	Hi Barry.................... Could do worse than this: H2 Handy Recorder or this: H4 tho' the latter has been superceded by the Zoom H4, er, x, or was it a, or could it be...........whatever. Can't find a URL for it (the new one, think it was announced during the latest trade show[s]). I'm sure you'll get other suggestions. I happen to have the H4 and it works ok with a few niggles. The 2 looks a superior design. Here's the Wikipedia review of the H2. Zoom H2 Handy Recorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Good luck. CS PS: Couldn't update your details with your location could you? Click on the "Contact Us" button at the bottom of the page and send a message to the mods. Much obliged. Last edited by Chris Soucy; January 17th, 2009 at 09:25 PM. Reason: Location request

January 17th, 2009, 06:18 PM	#2
Colin McDonald Trustee Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 1,546	I've found the Zoom H2 ZOOM which I bought as a simple solution for recording sermons at church has exceeded expectations and is certainly worth considering. I think it was £138.

January 17th, 2009, 06:45 PM	#4
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Well, you could stick a USB or other mic directly into your Mac (if it's a MacBook, that is, otherwise it probably isn't as portable as you'd like.) The built-in mic on the MacBook Pro is good enough for capturing voice if you're interested in the content and don't intend to use the recording itself for much other than just an intelligible capture.

January 17th, 2009, 08:41 PM	#7
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	A unit made for this purpose is the Olympus DS-50 voice recorder. It is very good: Olympus \| DS-50 Digital Voice Recorder \| 141915 \| B&H Photo Video Olympus makes a variety of voice recorders, for professional and home use: Olympus Voice Recorder \| B&H Photo Video

January 19th, 2009, 07:20 PM	#9
Guy Cochran DVCreators.Net Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 892	Is your Mac a portable? If you've already got the shotgun mic, would one of these work? MXL USB Mic Mate™ Pro __________________ Guy Cochran DVinfo Sponsor, Cool Gear - DVeStore!

January 19th, 2009, 11:14 PM	#11
Paul Mailath Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Coast - NSW, Australia Posts: 1,606	how about this little beauty - I tried it out on a wedding recently and it worked a treat Belkin : GoStudio __________________ Cheers - Paul M. www.perbenyik.com