Digital Recorder or USB Mic

[slidenpickit]

Hi Michael,

I'm after some advice as to which would be the better option for good recording quality straight in to a Mac Book (Resonator MM Blues 14 fret)) or the easiest way to transfer a recording from a recording device to a Mac Book.

Any thoughts would be appreciated (I am a non techie)

Regards

Chris

[Michael Messer]

Hi Chris,

Do you want to record direct into GarageBand, or are you happy to record on something else and then transfer it to the Mac?

Does your Mac have an SD Card slot?

Shine On
Michael.

[slidenpickit]

Hi Michael,

Mine doesn't have the SD card slot. I am happy to use Garageband, but would probably prefer recording on to something else and transferring it to the Mac. I do have a cheap card reader that I use for my digital camera to transfer photos to the Mac.

Regards

Chris

[Michael Messer]

Hi Chris,

I have been doing some recording at home recently using the Zoom H4N to record the main 4 channel track, then I transfer that to the Mac and open it as two pairs of stereo in GarageBand. Ten I use the Zoom as a digital interface plugged into the Mac with a USB and overdub direct into GarageBand using mics plugged into the Zoom. It works really well. It is low tech, simple and the results if you know what you are doing with recording and mixing, are very good.

Another way is to get a decent digital Interface 'thingy' and record direct into GarageBand.

Both methods will give good results if you know what you are doing.

I like the Zoom because it is simple and not too techy.

Shine On
Michael.

[slidenpickit]

Thanks Michael,

I like the idea of the Zoom which sounds more versatile. I certainly enjoyed your live recording of the MM 14 Fret.

Thanks again

Regards

Chris

[Michael Messer]

Hi Chris,

The Zoom is a very clever little machine and although the screen is quite small, it is easy to use.

The Steel Guitar Rag was recorded with the Zoom's onboard stereo mics. The Zoom fits on a mic stand and was placed a couple of feet forward between us making a triangle. It was not picking up the PA sound and the monitors are off, so it is picking up the acoustic sound of the two guitars and voices. I set the mics to record 180 degrees so they pick up a wide sound field. The stereo track was loaded into GarageBand where I EQ-ed and compressed it a little to optimise the recording.

Sometimes with recordings of the two of us done in that way, especially when there is a vocal, I make a mono mix of the track in Audacity and then open that in GarageBand with the stereo track and mix them together so the mono mix is in the centre with the stereo track hard left and hard right. This is a crude but effective way of stopping that hard left and hard right panning that happens when two musicians are sitting either side of the mics with no sound source in the centre.

This might sound quite complicated, but I can mix and roughly master a track like that in literally a few minutes.

I didn't learn this from anyone, I have just found ways of making what is essentially a domestic recorder work for me. For me it is not about the cost, I just enjoy the whole idea of using a pocket-size recorder to record live shows.

Shine On
Michael

[slidenpickit]

Hi Michael,

That's the beauty of this compact recorder. For me it's about getting a good quality recording anywhere, anytime with the minimum of fuss. What you describe seems to fit the bill perfectly.
I look forward to recording my MM Blues 14 fret when it arrives.

Thank you

Chris

[Steverb]

I have a couple of mates who swear by their Boss Micro BR recording boxes. What are the advantages of the Zoom over the Boss in your opinion Michael?

[Michael Messer]

Hi Steve,

I will check out the spec and blurb on the Boss machine and return to this thread later.

Shine On
Michael

[billzabozo]

Hi Chris,

Roughly how much did you want too spend? It will make it easier narrow the list down. Will you only ever be recording a guitar or will there be times you wish do multi-track recordings in the future?

Cheers
Will

[slidenpickit]

Hi Will,

I'd like to do both; I'd go up to about £260.

Thanks

[Michael Messer]

Hi Steverb,

I have had a look at the specifications of the Boss Micro BR unit and while it is an excellent little recorder for the price (approx £120), it does not compare to the Zoom H4N, which to be fair is just over double the price.

There are numerous differences, but the main ones for me would be; recording quality - the Zoom records in HD 24bit 96kHz, it has amazing built in microphones set at a perfect angle to make pure 'real' X/Y stereo recordings. It has two proper XLR inputs for microphones, it has two jack sockets for guitars and other stuff. It works as an excellent audio interface when it is plugged into a computer. It has a microphone stand holder so it fits on a stand just like a regular mic. With a pair of good quality mics plugged into the XLR sockets, using both the on-board mics and the two extra mics, you can make an excellent 4 channel live recording. You can also plug a mixer into the XLR sockets and go that way.

The Zoom has so many professional quality features that there really is no comparison. But as I said at the beginning of this post.....it costs more than double the price of the Boss.

Shine On
Michael

[billzabozo]

Hi Chris,

As an all in one portable recording unit for the budget I agree the zoom has the most professional features & importantly sound quality. The other options would involve an audio interface such as the M-Audio fast track & a couple of matched microphones. Basically this would involve more components cables etc & you'd need the laptop present as well, so for ease of use & convenience get the zoom and a bigger SD card if you are going to record at 24bit.

Good luck
Will

[slidenpickit]

Hi Will,

Thanks for the advice - I need to keep it simple (just like me) so will go for the Zoom based on both Michael's and your advice.

I'll try and put something on the 'Net when I get it sussed.

Regards

Chris

[gaucho]

Great discussion. I was wondering about the XLR inputs as I need them for audio recording for video (I'm in video/still production business). Think I'll pick one up and write it off my taxes!