what's a good recorder for lessons or practice?

August 18, 2011 at 01:40 AM ·

I want to piggy back on this one.

I pulled out my mini-disc player to find that it no longer functions. I still have a nice microphone.

Everywhere I look there are either "voice recorder" at the office stores or expensive devices at the instrument shops.

TIA

August 18, 2011 at 01:51 AM ·

For audio recording, Zoom H2 is a popular choice if you do a search on this subject, but I think video recording is even more helpful than just the sound. I recommend doing both.

August 18, 2011 at 05:06 AM ·

A lot depends on how much you're willing to spend and how important good sound quality is to you.  The cheaper recorders tend to have mics and pre-amps that are noisier and don't sound as good.  That said:

The Zoom's are good low-end recorders.

My personal favorite's are the Sony PCM series recorders.  The M10 can be had for about $230 or so.  The D50 is about $500.  Both are very easy to use and offer great sound quality for the money.

August 18, 2011 at 09:04 AM ·

If all you need it for is to play back what you record for evaluation purposes, and maybe record a performance for your own listening enjoyment from time to time, I'd highly recommend the Zoom H1, which you can get for $99 from Amazon. The thing is, portable recording technology has improved so much within the last decade that even at this price point, you have something that blows away any of the old tape or minidisc solutions (the H1 can record 24-bit/96KHz audio in uncompressed wave format), stores data in a common flash format (microSD), and plugs into USB 2.0 on any computer system where you can copy it to for editing/compression/burning.

The H2 and H4n cost more, offer more features, and higher quality microphones. They sell around $150 and $280 most places.

If you need something better than they offer, then it's time to get separate microphones, cables, a digital audio unit like an MBox2, and a laptop running audio software (ProTools LE or whatever your preference is).

August 18, 2011 at 01:46 PM ·

I've been using an Ederol R9 for 4 years or so and I am completely happy with the sound quality. As far as I am concerned some of the recordings I've made of live performances are better than some CDs I have of the same music - and I've only use it with the built-in mics.

Andy

August 18, 2011 at 02:16 PM ·

I use a free program on my laptop called Audacity. Plug the mic into your computer and go practice!

I also have a Flip video camera.

Smiles! Diane

August 18, 2011 at 03:39 PM ·

Many mobile phones have a voice recorder function that would do for taking notes, and as a memory jogger.

gc

August 18, 2011 at 05:07 PM ·

I have had an Edirol R-09 HR  for about 2 years now, and have been completely happy with it.  For some reason, on Amazon anyway, they have almost disappeared and/or become super expensive (mine was "only" $300 with stereo cables, a USB cord, and a 4GB SD card). 

The built-in mic is very good, or there's a jack to plug in your own.  For playback, you can listen on headphones or plug it into a pair of portable speakers, or even use the "line in" jack in your stereo. 

Super easy to use, which my Zoom and Sony-owning friends envy.  The remote control (about the size of 1/2 a credit card) enables me to, say, record a rehearsal from the audience and split the rehearsal into separate tracks.  If I bring my computer and some blank discs, I can make study CD's for other musicians within a few minutes.

If you can find one for a decent price (again, the change in $$$ is a mystery to me), I highly recommend it.

August 18, 2011 at 05:10 PM ·

I record my lessons using the Belkin Tunetalk attachment that plugs into my iPod. I also bought a Zoom H2 a few years ago but I have yet to read the manual on how to set it up well & my first attempts to use it didn't measure up to the quality I was getting with the Belkin .....entirely my fault, I'm sure, but the Belkin is so simple. The Belkin was about $50 US.

August 18, 2011 at 10:57 PM ·

I've used the Zoom H2 to record our (amateur) orchestra with very satisfactory results. And it couldn't be easier to use!

August 19, 2011 at 03:00 AM ·

I have had an Edirol R-09 HR  for about 2 years now, and have been completely happy with it.  For some reason, on Amazon anyway, they have almost disappeared and/or become super expensive (mine was "only" $300 with stereo cables, a USB cord, and a 4GB SD card). 

Probably because this model has been discontinued - if you look at Roland's website, R-09 is in the "Legacy" category.

August 19, 2011 at 03:53 AM ·

"The new Roland R-09HR replaces the same product previously branded “EDIROL by Roland” from 2010. The Roland branded R-09HR shares the same excellent features and high performance that you expect from the EDIROL branded unit."

Roland R-09HR at B&H for $279

August 19, 2011 at 05:30 AM ·

@Joyce - that's not the one I have.

@Jeewon -  that's the one I have.  

August 22, 2011 at 02:16 PM ·

 I recommend this one

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=recorder&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=9833951259231969681&sa=X&ei=mGRSTtyzBseWtweVm8nKCQ&ved=0CGQQ8wIwAg

August 29, 2011 at 01:53 PM ·

I've used both the H2 and the Belkin TuneTalk (with my iPhone GS with FiRe).  The H2 has great sound (and 4 channel recording capability which is great for quartets) but it is sometimes difficult to use.  The screen is small and the controls are not intuitive.  I've missed a couple recital recordings due to not knowing if it's recording or not. The H1 looks like it is simpler to use.  My backup was the iPhone with the Tune Talk microphone which works surprisingly well.  If someone in your family has an iPod they are no longer using, that may be the most economical approach.  You can find Tune Talk's on ebay for even lower cost than retail.

Since you're asking about cassette recording I imagine you don't need or want much complexity so the H1 might be the best choice.  I just saw there is a new H2n out which might solve some of its problems, but I doubt you need all it's features (it has 5 microphones now!!)

September 22, 2011 at 10:06 AM ·

It really all depends on what you are using it for. I have a little, cheap, easy to use digital voice recorder, it came with computer soft ware but I don't use that I just play the recording straight back of the recorder. It cost me under $100. I used to record my lessons just so I could listen back to them and refresh my mind about what my teacher said and if this is all you want then it is great. But... if you want to accurately hear how you sound when you play  that is a different story. With cheap recorders your playing will sound like rubbish!!! I have found it is REALLY hard to accurately record a violin without lots of recording experience, studio etc. I hope this helps :)