What Recording Equipment Is Available?

[Wabatuckian]

Hello,

I record myself primarily to improve. I hear the way I want something in my head, and I want to see how close I can get to it. This means recording.

The recording setup that I have right now is cobbled together from a couple mics I had, a mic mixer from 1982, and a cheap stereo player/recorder from Amazon that I had on my mountain bike for times I felt like listening to music while riding.

This last is unsatisfactory. I get the sound I pretty much want from my mics and mixer, but the MP3/WAV player/recorder sometimes skips when I'm recording.

Because I have several expensive hobbies, I'm not looking to spend a lot on a recorder. Mandatory is two tracks for stereo, though four tracks might be nice if I can ever convince my brother-in-law to start drumming for me. Everything gets mixed on the computer, so I don't need anything more than level control which is done on the mic mixer.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks!

 

[rob aylestone]

MP3/audio file recorders cannot skip? The input sockets can wiggle, and perhaps even dry joints on the PCB can do odd things, but if they actually skip, it's a fault.
I would consider a second hand zoom recorder - these tend to be pretty durable and cheap nowadays.

 

[Wabatuckian]

MP3/audio file recorders cannot skip? The input sockets can wiggle, and perhaps even dry joints on the PCB can do odd things, but if they actually skip, it's a fault.
I would consider a second hand zoom recorder - these tend to be pretty durable and cheap nowadays.

You know, I thought that too. I have training in computers and have never known a digital device to skip. It's weird. Sounds exactly like a record skipping ahead on playback.

 

[rob aylestone]

They use a small buffer, so I suppose if the filling of the buffer is slower than the output that would stutter, but that's more like a solid state fault. Or maybe the clock being intermittent so the stream isn't contiguous?

 

[Wabatuckian]

They use a small buffer, so I suppose if the filling of the buffer is slower than the output that would stutter, but that's more like a solid state fault. Or maybe the clock being intermittent so the stream isn't contiguous?

I wondered if it was a buffer thing. I bought it cheap because, if it gets ruined mountain biking, I'm not out a lot.

I'm also recording in WAV and the music I listen to is FLAC. I'm unsure if that would overload the buffer more than compressed MP3.

I'll look at the Zoom models. I saw them on Amazon, but didn't buy because, in the world of cycling, Zoom is known as a cheap brand. I didn't know if it was the same company making everything like Shimano seems to make everything, thus the need for guidance.

I appreciate the help everyone's given so far.

 

[TalismanRich]

Zoom Cycling is not the same company as Zoom recorders. TOTALLY different.

I've got a Zoom H4n and a Zoom R24. They are older units, the H4N was bought in 2011, and the R-24 in 2013. Both still work flawlessly. The H4 essential is $220, has 4 track, internal + external mics, 32bit recording, multitracking and does 96K recording. The H5 Studio runs $350 but has more capabilities.

Tascam's DR40X is $260, similar to the H4Essential. 4 tracks, multitracking, 32bit/96K recording, internal and external mics.

These are all handheld and can act as an audio interface when connected to a computer. I use mine for mobile recording, pull the SDHC card from the unit and dump the audio directly to my computer for further processing or adding to video.

If you don't need portability and have a decent, current computer, you can buy an audio interface like a Motu M2 for $200, Tascam 102i for $150, or Focusrite 2i2 for $220.

More inputs costs you more money, but you won't need a mixer. Everything is done in the computer. You can get a 4 input Behringer 404Hd for under $150. A Behringer 1820 has 8 mic inputs for $230. Behringer doesn't have the greatest reputation but I think the stuff is serviceable. I have a Tascam 16x08 with 8 mic inputs, plus 8 line inputs. I can record 16 tracks at once on a computer that is 12 years old.

One last route would be something like the Tascam DP24SD or Tascam Model 12. Much like my R-24, you record everything to the unit and then you have the option of mixing in the unit or dumping to a computer. Those will run about $6-700 which might be out of your ballpark. But it's an option.