Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone here has experimented with any of the wav recorders making the rounds, the M Audio Microtrack, the Edirol R-09, the Zoom H4, etc. Has anyone here used any of these? Compared any of these? Successfully recorded gigs or practice with one of these? I thank you in advance for any shared opinions, I'm closing in on one of these and need some more input before purchase.

Thanks alot,

Well, a friend of mine got me hip to a program called Reason.

Thanks for the reply! I don't mean recording software though, I'm asking about portable digital recorders. Some use them to record concerts they attend, some record their band practice or open mic performance, some use them to record ideas like a musical sketchbook. I'm thinking of getting one and was curious if anyone here had tried one out yet. I do appreciate your reply though!

hey! I have the same question! I need one mostly for sketchbook use right now, but then later to record voice, sound effects, instruments for sound stories and films.

I went to a high-end audio store yesterday and they showed me three options:

Edirol R-09: Very portable, internal mic, records CD quality $399

Marantz: Slightly larger, has xlr inputs for an external mic $499

Tascam: Larger yet, but still very portable, with xlr inputs and 96K (sample rate I think?) option and more features such as limiter $999

Sorry I don't have the model numbers for the last two. They all require a sound card which was is another expense ($99 at the store I was at, cheaper at other places)

I only have experience using Tascam recorders before they went digital.

Another option is the recently released Zoom H4: $299, internal mics, 44/48/96, xlr inputs, plus other features like 4-track recording and can be used as an interface to your computer, for example: guitar > Zoom H4 > cpu. Comes with recording software, Cubase LE maybe? The Zoom H4 mics are set in an XY position, which seems to give them the edge over the Edirol R-09's internal mics, which are set on the side and in reviews have been said to pick up a bit of ambient sound. I think I'm leaning towards the Zoom H4 at this point, just haven't pulled the trigger yet!

By the way, it's not a sound card that is needed but a memory card. The memory card that comes with any of these models will only give you about 15 minutes of cd quality sound. The thing to do seems to be getting a 2g card as an upgrade for about 80-110 (I forget) minutes of cd quality recording time. I've seen these in the $55 price range.

I gotta just pull the trigger and get this going!!


[Edited 1/27/07 15:38pm]

thebige said:

Yeah, they were talking about a 2g card for $99.



Me too! I'm getting excited!

Just pulled the trigger on the Zoom H4 @ $299. Got a 2GB SD card at J&R.com for $39 (http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4046158). Now I just gotta cross my fingers that this thing won't suck!! I'll post back for you with my results if you're interested!


[Edited 1/29/07 11:43am]

thebige said:

Please tell us how you like it! Those prices are great, right in my range, if it's really decent. Wow, I just read your post that says the Zoom H4 has xlr inputs!!! And all those features! This sounds really great.