I need your help.

  • Thread starter Thread starter DJL
  • Start date Start date

What mini recorder do you recommend?

  • Zoom PS-04... $200.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Fostex MR8... $295.

    Votes: 1 33.3%

  • Tascam Pocketstudio 5... $300.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Korg PXR4... $300.

    Votes: 1 33.3%

  • Other... please specify below.

    Votes: 1 33.3%
  • Total voters
    3
D

DJL

Self Banned
Hello everyone, I’d like to get a little all in one mini studio sketchpad type recorder for a friend… budget is $300, does anyone have any recommendations?

These are the recorders I’ve been reading about, but I sure would like to hear opinions from those of you who own them.

Zoom PS-04... $200.
http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/englishie_index.html

Fostex MR8... $295.
http://www.fostex.com/index.php?file=products/digital/mr8

Tascam Pocketstudio 5... $300.
http://www.tascam.com/Products/PocketStudio5.html

Korg PXR4... $300.
http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?a_prod_no=PXR4&category_id=3

Thanks, Don
 
I am a fan of Roland, since my workstation has treated me well in all aspects, so I would have to give my vote to something from them or Boss. haven't used their portable stuff, but everything I have owned by them is built well and lasts. (guitar pedals, 1680, and even the vinyl cutter from my work) My friend had a MC groove box thing and it was built well too.

I just look at the model of the Boss recorder. BR-864 It is $400, so it is probably out of the question, but again, the quality is probably top notch for that segment of the market. Maybe go used?

I only owned one ZOOM product and never will again.

I should also add that my neighbor has an 8 track Korg that I used to mix one of his songs that he recorded on it. It felt like it was well contructed.
 
well....

I've got a Fostex Mr-8. Its a pretty good deal and easy to use, and I really went for it due to its XLR inputs. You should know that it really only has four "usuable channels", becuase the other "four" are really two stereo channels and all that you can control is the volume on them. For the $$$ it is pretty nice.... just plan on getting a bigger Flash Card...
 
OK, I used PXR4 for a year. Its an awesome little thing! Its full of functions...
Its the best of you travel a lot and need something really portable. I was able to record my whole demo on it.

Pros
-portable and small
-lots of effects
-easy to learn and handle
-USB
-possible to copy and paste parts of your file.
-battery power possibility (lasts pretty long with decent ones)

Cons
-only one input at a time
-buttons small
-No XLR input
-MP2 format... you have to use a computer program (from Korg website) to convert to MP3. But the program is simple.. so no big deal.

Compared to the Fostex it's supposed to have much quieter inputs and more clear effects... (I was planning to buy the Fostex also, but the reviews made me get the Korg)

If you just want a sketchpad.. its great!!!
I moved to computer based DAW which gives more possibilities but the PXR served me really well for the time I had it. I sold mine on Ebay for $190... so you can probably get it around that also (used).

If you want, I have sound samples too.
Feel free to ask if any more questions!
 
Hey thanks guys... how much recording time do you get with lets say a 128MB card?
 
About two hours (one continuous track) with the Standard quality.
High quality.. about one and a half hour.
 
Do you think the PXR4 would work good for recording an hour or so of band practice using the built-in mic?

Good... meaning... good enough to hear and remeber the songs later...you know, so he doesn't forget his parts.
 
I'm pretty sure it will work. I did it and worked for me... the built-in mic is pretty good (for its size..).
 
Ok, thanks... you sold me on it... I'm headed to the music store to up the Korg PXR4. I'll be back... thanks again. Don :)
 
gusfinley said:
I've got a Fostex Mr-8. Its a pretty good deal and easy to use, and I really went for it due to its XLR inputs. You should know that it really only has four "usuable channels", becuase the other "four" are really two stereo channels and all that you can control is the volume on them. For the $$$ it is pretty nice.... just plan on getting a bigger Flash Card...
Click to expand...

The MR-8 is an 8 track recorder, and all channels are useable. You can record on up to 2 at a time. The copy function can be used to move tracks from track to track and avoid the issue.

You will need a bigger flash card.

Ed
 
Also keep in mind that the PXR4 records in a compressed file format, so you have no ability to capture a CD quality file. That compressed format is why a 128 MB card records more minutes of time. If you want CD quality, you need a recorder that captures and stores pure WAV data as 44.1 KHz 16-Bit.

Ed
 
The fact that more fits on the card.. is a perfect for a sketchpad :) And the quality is still great.. regular ears can't tell the difference, believe me.
 
For that it may work. However for doing music, other alternatives would be better.

Ed
 
For that it does work.. no doubts about that. At the same time I agree that Digidesign's ICON will be better for professional recording :rolleyes:
 
For a sketchpad, I think of something very small that you could hold in your hand. Something like a memo recorder with slightly better sound. Battery powered and fits in your pocket.

Ed
 
-something very small
-hold in your hand
-Battery powered
-fits in your pocket.

The size is 4.8" wide, 4.25" high and 1.33"
It can run on 2 AA batteries.
The weight is 260 g (0.57 Ibs.)

LOL, thats PXR4!

Its one of the smallest multitrackers on market... I think you have some other model in mind..
About the sound quality... have you ever used it to be able to make claims about PXRs quality??
 
Never seen one. Only read the specs, which say a lot about sound.

I think of something like a iPod Mini, but that's just me. This one is very small for a multi-track and may fit their needs well.

Ed
 
Ok I'm back. The Korg PXR4 is really small and really frickin cute... and after hearing the SV demo and etc... I bought two of them, one for my friend and one for me. :D By the way, you can record two tracks at the same time if you use the line-in and a small mixer. :D Also FYI, I have a VS880EX at my office, HD24's at home, and pretty much everything at our studio... so the little Korg PXR4 is perfect for my pocket and truck... it runs for about 10hrs on two AA batt. Oh, and Office Max has the 128MB cards on sale, so I got box of them. Anyway, thanks everyone for your help. I'd give you all positive rep points if I could, but I can't. :(

Cheers, Don :)


PS... the Korg PXR4 is about the size of two packs of smokes sitting side by side. ;)
 
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