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What are you guys using to record rehearsals, nature sounds, random ideas that come to you? I don't need pristine sounds to use for films or anything, but am looking for something with better sound quality than just recording with the mic on my phone.

I have a Tascam DR-40 that I use for recording atmos/sound effects and band rehearsals amongst other things. I really love it, good compromise between affordability and sound quality. Being able to adjust the mic pattern is a must for doing directional stuff and recording wide stereo atmospheres. The zoom ones are okay but not nearly as sturdy and I think they colour the sound in a weird way.

+1 i always liked the tascams. they are solid. i also had the korg sound on sound which was pretty neat and unique.

I also agree on a Tascam in this matter. The nicer ones has 2 xlr inputs and phantom power for mics

Cool, it looks like Tascam is doing some rebates on their recorders right now too. Thanks for the advice!

I really like the DR-60d. It doesn't have built in mics, but it will record up to 4 tracks and I use it with a pair of cheap condensers.

backwardsvoyager wrote:I have a Tascam DR-40 that I use for recording atmos/sound effects and band rehearsals amongst other things. I really love it, good compromise between affordability and sound quality. Being able to adjust the mic pattern is a must for doing directional stuff and recording wide stereo atmospheres. The zoom ones are okay but not nearly as sturdy and I think they colour the sound in a weird way.

Yup. I got one recently that I use to record myself and drummer. I haven't used it yet for samples/field recording but I should try it out.

Also check out the bundles on Amazon. I bought the one below which came with speakers, a tripod, an extra bigger memory card plus more stuff. And it was only $10 more than just buying the dr40 by itself.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00F0RS8Z ... mp_s_a_1_4

Tascam DR-60D with two el cheapo MXL small diaphragm condensers at back of room in venue with decent PA:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up1zsfwEPQ8[/youtube]

Anyone use one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EP6 ... VLUE7LUM25

Or any sort of comparable thing... claims it is the same two mics that are on a DR40. The main reason I record things is to send ideas to the buds before we get together. It would obviously be easiest if I could just do this all on my phone. I am just finishing up some lyrics then I will be trying to get some songs up, but I think I will have my buddy record it more proper. Any thoughts on this or similar devices? I see the limitation of at some point I will get a newer phone that won't be compatible any more, but that's not any time real soon.

backwardsvoyager wrote:I have a Tascam DR-40 that I use for recording atmos/sound effects and band rehearsals amongst other things. I really love it, good compromise between affordability and sound quality. Being able to adjust the mic pattern is a must for doing directional stuff and recording wide stereo atmospheres. The zoom ones are okay but not nearly as sturdy and I think they colour the sound in a weird way.

Ya know, I've dropped my zoom h4n like a zillion times so the mics are finally starting to crack and I think if i have to replace, I'll go Tascam.
I think the reason I picked the Zoom in the first place was that the recording quality is adjustable up to 24bit/96khz.. Looks like the dr-40 does too =)
I also liked the zoom because it had built in effects so I could do weird Mike patton vocal shit with like a digital auto-wah enabled.
But Tascam has always kinda led the industry in this niche I think. I do sort of like the layout of the zoom a little better, but that's nitpicking.

PeteeBee wrote:Anyone use one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EP6 ... VLUE7LUM25

Never knew anyone personally who used one of the phone attachment kind.. Same basic technology though, I think Rode makes one too.
The app to run the hardware would be the only concern there but it seems like the reviews are mostly positive. I think that'd work fine
...Oh shit bro you're in Rosa, maybe Bananas at Large has 'em

Likewise, I have a Tascam DR-05 and it's been perfect for recording vocals, back up guitar mics, piano, room ambiance, etc.

I you have an iphone 5 or up check out the Mic Field...

http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irigmicfield/

I have a small Zoom H1 that I got for relatively cheap. Quality is good and it's small so I always carry it in my bag. Which is a big plus if you want to record things anywhere.
I use it to record music I make at home too (directly from the mixer) because it's much simpler than getting things set up in a DAW on my mac...

i've had a fair amount of time field recording with a zoom h4n... it ain't perfect, but it's damned good and is pretty durable (although i did end up fashioning a windsock/protector out of a sandwich baggie, sock, and duct tape because of all the rocks that a helicopter landing kicked up.

i'm actually selling mine (not the one used with the helicopter!)! will go cheap to ILF member! (B/S/T post coming soon....)