Portable Hard Disk Recorders and Looping

[analog_freak]

I'm trying to figure out a relatively inexpensive way to take sections of 2-track analog recordings and "loop" them as two tracks of 4-track recordings. I create a lot of "live-to-2-track" analog recordings of solo bass and stereo effects. What often happens is that I do pieces that are 10-15 minutes long, but the best stuff occurs in segments of about one to three minutes in length. I want to be able to dump each good segment to digital, loop it, and then add stuff (percussion, ambient guitar, echoed voice, etc.) to the remaining two tracks. Another way to say it is that I want an easy way to edit the 2-track recordings, then add other parts to the edited results.

Obviously ProTools or similar software on a computer would be a good way to accomplish this. But rather than investing that kind of money and time in learning it, I wonder if a portable hard-disk recorder would accomplish what I want to do. For example, the owners manual of the Zoom MRS4 ($150 street) indicates that recorded sections can be copied and pasted (I'm assuming one could "loop" sections in this way.)

The question is, by copying and pasting a given section in sequence, would the result be "seamless", or would there be a noticeable glitch or silent part between each? How good are portable hard disk recorders for looping?

Or are there any other simple, inexpensive suggestions for accomplishing what I'm trying to do?

Thanks.
Michael Yoder
Bassist, Ambient Jazz Duo
http://www.myspace.com/ambientjazzduo

 

[analog_freak]

looping with hard-disk recorders

Just doin' a bump here to see if anyone has opinions on my prior posting re: using the copy and paste functions of multitrack digital recorders for "looping." Looking at the various owners manuals of various brands (Fostex, Zoom, etc.), it seems the Tascam DP-01 is set up best for this. Its editing capabilities appear quite intuitive (again, I base this on a cursory glance at the pdf files of the manuals of various 8-track machines.)

My main concern is, which units are good at producing a "seamless" result (without glitch or gap) when stringing a 2-track segment by copying and pasting it? I would then use open tracks for overdubbing percussion, etc.

I appreciate any responses.

Thanks.
Michael

michael yoder
bassist, ambient jazz duo
http://www.myspace.com/ambientjazzduo