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Suggestions for a portable audio recorder?


Sara

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I'm considering bringing an audio recorder to a show to capture some audio with the best quality I can.

Can anyone recommend a high quality recorder (price is no object) that is small enough to easily hide in a small handbag?

I'll have to figure out some hands-free way to hold it, like stick it to a hat, or in a shallow pocket, or bra or something. :teehee:

Chica recommended one I might try, but I just wanted to know what all was out there.

Thanks!

:sara:

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ChicaSkas

A friend I trust told me this:

Yea, the Zoom is cool. The h1 is the small one I got. The h4n is the baddest.

Zoom H1, Zoom H4N are his recommendations!

Do YOU own the 4' by 6' Perfect Illusion promo Poster? Will pay you for it. Pic: http://i.imgur.com/UWuzumk
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Zoom Q2HD is like the best **** on the market now! It has HD concert video recorder mode and has very great light effects (even tho it looks awful when you zoom it) and the concert recording mode is faaab

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ChicaSkas

Ok, Sara, dont close this thread yet, a good buddy of mine who is well versed in quality is gonna post his opinions here, Mr. Waymouth. When he sees my PM :dies:

Do YOU own the 4' by 6' Perfect Illusion promo Poster? Will pay you for it. Pic: http://i.imgur.com/UWuzumk
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thewaymouth

You go, Sara!

#1 Recommendation: Record in WAV.

Go Lossless. Capture and save all the sound.

You can always sonic reduce it er convert it to mp3 later.

#2 Recommendation: Mics.

This Mike says great mikes are the most important parts of going for the goal for the "the gold is for us to capture all we want, anywhere...is capture for The Queen to use."

___________________________________________________

Chica is way too kind.

I have actually recorded a concert myself with an actual a--log tape recorder and microphones (old school!), but this was way back in the day. So unfortunately I do not have recent guerrila-experience. I apologize.

However, I do download and listen to a lot of current audience live recordings.

Schoeps is a name that comes up frequently in excellent recent recordings..

Lady Gaga: Renowned HQ Audience Recordings...

- Ziggo Dome, 2012-09-18, Source: Factory-matched pair of Schoeps CCM 41V microphones (DINa mounted) -> Marantz PMD661 recorder with Oade Concert Mod (-18 dB gain/44.1 kHz/24 bit WAV)

- Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, 2010-09-14: Source: Schoeps MK4's>Nbox>Sony PCM-M10

PCM-M10>Soundforge 9 (Fades,sample Rate Conversion /Bit depth conversion to 16 Bit/44.1khz)>CDWAV>FLAC

- Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ, 2009-12-03: Source (same taper as Wells fargo): Schoeps MK4's>Nbox>Sony PCM-M10 Sony PCM-M10>Soundforge 9 (Fades, Sample/Bit Rate Conversion)>CDWAV>FLAC

- Nassau Coliseum, 2011-04-23: Source: DPA 4061's>Edirol 09HR>Cool Edit>TLH>Flac8

- Madison Square Garden, 2010-07-07: Source: Sound Professionals CMC-8 Cardioid Stereo Mics [mounted on shoulders] -> SP-SBSB3 Battery Module with bass roll-off OFF -> Edirol R09HR @ 24bit 96khz Stereo PCM WAV

________________________________________________________________________________________

PS www.dimeadozen.org Forum of torrents of audio and video downloads

Suggested resources: from where I live live mostly as mikedreams...

SLF's Bootleg How-To http://stephen.foske...ic/boothow.html

Sonic Studios: http://www.sonicstudios.com/tips.htm

Learn about HRTF stereo-surround recording methods & gear

Tips to operate and maintain portable audio recorders

How to optimize the playback listener experience

Live Recording Tips

Deck/Gear Maintenance

Stereo-Surround Methods

Deck Model Info/Links/Reviews

The TapersSection Forum [a currently active forum, where you can peruse without joining] http://www.taperssection.com/

Forum Sections:

- Microphones & Setup: Let's talk about mics, mic configurations, accessories, mic stands...anything to do with mics & setup.

- Cables: Cable me! How to select, find, make, fix and use those interconnects.

- Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors: Everything between the microphones and the recorder: battery boxes, preamps, mixers, ADCs, signal

- Recording Gear: Portable and / or studio recording machines, stereo or multi-track. If the device's primary purpose is to capture data, a--log or digital, this is the place to post. Also, a media-specific sub-board.

- Remote Power: Keep your gear juiced up for the whole show or festival!

- Recording gear: Portable and / or studio recording machines, stereo or multi-track. If the device's primary purpose is to capture data, a--log or digital, this is the place to post. Also, a media-specific sub-board.

The Official Alt Music Bootlegs FAQ: [7-1] What equipment should I use?http://tobyinkster.c...gs-faq-ch7.html

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ChicaSkas

God Bless You my dear WayMouth. I can always count on you for the meat and bones of knowledge :legend:

Do YOU own the 4' by 6' Perfect Illusion promo Poster? Will pay you for it. Pic: http://i.imgur.com/UWuzumk
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Wow, thank you for all that information WayMouth!!

I'm afraid you went a little over my head with some of it though. :hehe:

I don't think I'm up to the task of wiring mics on my body and doing all that stuff to get a premium quality bootleg. Anything with wires is just going to get me in more trouble with security if I get caught. Anything with more than one piece is also more likely to get me caught. Is there a less-premium version that involves just a small device with a built-in mic that I could try an sneak in? :shrug:

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ChicaSkas

Wow, thank you for all that information WayMouth!!

I'm afraid you went a little over my head with some of it though. :hehe:

I don't think I'm up to the task of wiring mics on my body and doing all that stuff to get a premium quality bootleg. Anything with wires is just going to get me in more trouble with security if I get caught. Anything with more than one piece is also more likely to get me caught. Is there a less-premium version that involves just a small device with a built-in mic that I could try an sneak in? :shrug:

@ Sara, yes, see the post I made quoting an anonymous friend.

He suggests the Zoom H1, & Zoom H4N I believe , it runs for about 100.00 and is small., mostly plastic so as not to set off detectors.

I would also say PM me before your show so I can explain in more detail where to hide it.

Do YOU own the 4' by 6' Perfect Illusion promo Poster? Will pay you for it. Pic: http://i.imgur.com/UWuzumk
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Cool, the H1 seems pretty nice and easy. :)

So does this one I just found: http://www.amazon.com/TEAC-VR-20-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B007N0R4C2

And this one: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-PCM-M10-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B0064S555C/ref=sr_1_10?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1360549135&sr=1-10&keywords=sony+digital+pcm

I like these two because they don't look so alien and not clearly an audio recorder if someone saw it.

Not sure how "plastic" it is though.

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ChicaSkas

I am excited just looking at them! the expensive one looks very much like a cell phone :dies:

Do YOU own the 4' by 6' Perfect Illusion promo Poster? Will pay you for it. Pic: http://i.imgur.com/UWuzumk
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What do you guys think of the audio quality of this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1vcxKpUYKA

My camera has good days when it catches decent audio. But I assume these digital records would do a lot better. I just wish they had video too. :hehe:

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