Portable Setup for Recording piano?

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pwestcitt

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I have recently been looking into purchasing some relatively cheap, portable equipment to record piano. The simplest option seems to be the zZounds Zoom H4 with built-in XY configured condensor mics, but for the price I question how high quality the mics and the sound card in this device can be. I have also been looking at the M-Audio USB Fast Track with Preamps, and the Tascam US122, which would allow me to hook up two somewhat decent condensor mics for stereo recording. I was wondering if anybody has had any experience with the equipment I've mentioned, and would know which option, or another, would yield the cleanest and most balanced sound for acoustic recording of piano. For the M-Audio or Tascam options, what are the best condensor mics for an affordable price? Even though the Fast Track boasts preamps, should I purchase another preamp to avoid background noise due to recording onto my laptop? All said, I don't want to spend much more than $500-600, but I don't know if this is enough to afford a higher quality option then the convenient and cheap ($300) Zoom H4. Any suggestions? Thanks a lot.

-Peter
 
i question that as well. mics, pre's, converters, and media storage for that amount of money???????
lets just say that there's no such thing as a free lunch.


my personal set would be this
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Korg-MR1?sku=700878

but for some reason it's about 200 more then i remember :(

oh hum.

any who, add a pair of mics (your choice)
and a pre (dmp3 would get you started)
and go.
 
Assuming you have a laptop, this would be my idea of Inexpensive and Portable but involves quite a bit more gear than what you mentioned.

You could get a pair of MXL 993 Condenser Mics for $179.99

And you could get a Presonus Firebox for 299.99


The firebox comes with Cubase LE which should let you record 4 tracks simultaneously, and since youre only using 2 this would be fine. It also has Phantom Power so you could use your condenser mics.

Dont forget to include the cost of Headphones, Mic cables, Mic stands, Etc. May I suggest GLS Audio mic cables and MOREME headphones :D


I mean this might be overkill for what you want but the thought of a handheld recorder like the Zoom makes me cringe :eek: You might as well get something that allows you room to grow

It could be more than you wanted to spend, but if thats the case theres nothing wrong with buying used from Ebay or craigslist.
 
Thanks a lot, these comments are helpful. I think I'm leaning toward equipment that I can set up on my laptop, though it seems all the firewire based audio boxes require 6-pin ports, and my laptop only has 4-pin connections (can you buy something to connect a 6-pin to a 4-pin port, and would this compromise quality?). Is the Firebox better than the M-Audio Fast Track?
 
I just got a 6 pin to 4 pin firewire cable, it's a very nicely insulated cable. I don't hear any side effects from using this cable, but I can't say for sure though because I got it to connect my firestudio to my laptop, but my laptop has something on it preventing it from sending a drop-out free monitor signal back to the firestudio. So I am not 100% sure about it not compromising the quality, only 99.9/% sure.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Monster-Cable-PRO-FireLink-FireWire-Audio-Cable?sku=331725
 
6pin to 4pin cables are exactly the same and can be used interchangably I suggest buying them on ebay they are alot cheaper.
 
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