Which MP3 recorder for multimedia slideshows?

I compared the Microtrack and the Edirol R-09 and ended up with the Edirol, mainly because it uses regular AA cells. I really don’t like it when you have to send in a device simply to get the rechargeable battery replaced (bad experience with an iPod).

Carsten

Here is the link to the manufacturer: http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/h4/

I’ve had a Marantz PMD-660 for about a year and like it a lot. I had been using a Zoom PS-04 before that and found it to be flimsy and complicated to use – a big drawback in the field. Plus, the mic connectors were 1/8 mini and pretty flimsy. This is a problem with small recorders. The jack is small and so the connection is weak. The PMD uses XLR as mentioned above. Much more robust, but takes up more space. I personally wouldn’t use a recorder which didn’t have xlr, but the space and weight become an issue (cables are heavier also)

Good:
Light
Uses pro microphones (high quality)
Uses compact flash, so you can use in your camera if you leave your cards at home (like I did last week) or use older cards
Very high quality sound
Easy to use
Can get two hours of high quality (audio equivalent of RAW) or nine or so hours of mp3 on a one-gig card
Uses AA batteries, and will run for a long long time (many hours) on one set
Very good tech support

Bad:
Somewhat large
Uses pro mics (expensive)
A bit more money
Not so waterproof

Two tips:
One – use lexar cards. Other brands are flaky with the recorder
Two – if you are going to use rechargable batteries, you have to bend out the positive terminal with a screwdriver. Tech support can tell you how or PM me and I’ll describe. Takes thirty seconds.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Also, B&H has open box specials on them from tine to time.

I suggest recording WAV, not MP3 as you will have much higher quality and higher versatility for use of the raw material after – it takes more memory, but hey that is cheaper than *$#@ these days, no?

I am considering replacing my old stolen solid-state recorder with the Marantz PMD660 – based on these good recommendations (although it is quite big, I like the ability to use CF cards and its standard XLR jacks). I just wanted to ask one question – how about its field reliability? Does it hold well in dusty, etc. field conditions? Local BBC used it, I can ask there, but since it got disbanded to make funding for the Arab BBC TV project, I don’t see the people from it so often :-(

Also, are there any common issues with it one should look into when buying used? I have a good price on an used one, still pondering it.

Thanks Frantisek

http://www.photoethnography.com/blog/archives/2006/10/info_new_samson.html#comments

http://www.2090.org/zoom/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=7914

and it will cost only 199,00 $

If money isn’t an issue look for a NAGRA ARES-M http://www.nagraaudio.com/pro/pages/products_ares_m.php the BBC has issues them to they’re local radio stations as well as the nationals. It’s a lot smaller and lasts longer biggest downside though is the built memory

What I really liked about it is the fact it takes ordinary AA batteries, unlike some other recorders (like the M-Audio Microtrack for example), so even if recording times are shorter you can alway carry spares.

The H4 is much more bulky than the Edirol R-09 (which, if you spend the extra cash on the fitted case, will sit nicely on your belt). However the H4 is also quite a bit cheaper, especially when you allow for the fact that it comes with a tripod adapter and windshield, where as with the Edirol R-09 you need to buy the tripod adapter (and the fitted case to attach the adapter to), also there is no windshield available.

I only point this out because I have found that you get a cleaner sound if you attach the recorder to a mini tripod (with the legs closed) and hold that rather than holding the recorder directly in your hand (you can see an example of what I mean in the H4 Usage Examples photos at the link below). Also the windshield can be useful in windy conditions.

http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/h4/index.php

I looked at most of the recorders mentioned in this thread and I got the impression that they are all equally capable, but with different strengths and weaknesses (ability to take AA batteries, for example). I was going to buy the M-Audio Microtrack, as it appeared to have the slight edge on recording quality, but it’s no good if the battery runs out and you can’t get to a power socket to recharge!

I think the H4 is a good starting point, and not so expensive that you couldn’t move on to something more expensive at a later date.

http://martelelectronics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?page=MDH/PROD/MDVR/1284

defintely would avoid used – unlessa full warranty is offered

The 3 options that most suggest are M-Audio, Edirol and Zoom’s 300 dollar options.

After much deliberation and research, I’m going with the Zoom H-4. I talked for a while with Shaheed at B&H’s audio department who said he really liked this recorder and it was a great starter one for a photographer looking to experiment and learn. It runs about $299.

These reviews and sample recordings helped sealed the deal: http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oreilly/digitalmedia/2007/02/01/review-zoom-h4-handy-recorder.html
http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/pub/a/oreilly/digitalmedia/2005/11/30/m-audio-microtrack-review.html?page=1
http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/pub/a/oreilly/digitalmedia/2006/08/31/edirol-r-09-digital-recorder-review.html?page=1

FYI, according to B&H, the Mictrotrack 24/96 is now discontinued.

I’ll let you know when I’ve field tested it. cheers!

My dream machine would be something with XLR mic jack, records on to CF cards, long-life battery (around 6 hours) and about the siz of the R-1.

I use it with a Electro-Voice 635 mic, which is a really rugged field mic that was a standard for radio reporters for years. It doesn’t need any batteries, and it’s rugged enough to roll around in the pocket of my camera bag, so that puts it ahead of many of the more expensive XLR mics out there. I have a Sennheiser MK66 that’s about 18 inches long that sounds amazing, but it’s just too much to deal with it and my cameras at the same time.

In the field, after I start up the Microtrack, I put it to standby, which is a lot easier than powering it up and down (which takes about 30 seconds). I haven’t had any issues with battery life, and I’ve used it to record 1 1/2 hour long press conferences (I just plugged it into the radio feeds on the sound board, it sounded great). I have a USB cell phone charger in my car, and I can use that to charge up the recorder in the field, if I have to.

For example, here’s one I produced last weekend for the federal elections here in the land of Oz, using the above system:

http://www.electiontracker.net.au/vodcasts/a-labor-victory/

The sound is very clean with no hiss and the unit is very compact. It comes with everything you need to get started, as soon as you drop a set of AA batteries in it. Also very simple to use.

The H2 has FOUR built in mics, so you can record four tracks at a time, which could be used as the basis for a surround mix or at the very least ‘Quad-Sound’ (remember that?). The mics face forward and rearward covering 90 and 120 degrees (or both at the same time as 2 or 4 channel stereo).

Take a look here:

http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/2007/09/13/review-zoom-h2-surround-recorder.html

http://www.transom.org/

Also take a look at the Marantz PMD620. It’s more expensive than the H2, but looks very promising.

So far I have only used it for audio slideshows, so it hasn’t been an issue.

I have heard about issue, but am not sure just how far off it will drift. Take a look at some of the comments following the review on oreilly. I believe it was mentioned there.

Feli

Thomas Sjoerup

Above is an audio podcast on the H2 which I recently bought and so far am very impressed with.
Once you get used to the menu’s it is quick and easy to get around.