Portable Audio Recorders (Q&A, share experiences)

Shiftr · 2020-12-11T13:40:21.777Z

Yes the difference is ridiculous. Makes me think there is some design mistake with the internal mics.
Not that they are that bad, just noisy when using high gain settings.

shortwave · 2020-12-11T19:48:36.177Z

Thanks for the tip! Good to know they pair well with the M10.

shortwave · 2020-12-11T19:57:25.884Z

If you don’t mind my asking, have you used the H6 as an interface and if so any issues or does it work fine?
Moving to Norway for a bit to live with my partner, and while I’m taking my M10 to record in the field and to be able to make stereo recordings of my modular set up, I had decided not to take a full recording set up due to space restrictions and my partner having an H6 handy, which I figured I could use in a pinch with my laptop if I really find I’m missing a dedicated sound card.

hermbot · 2020-12-11T20:13:43.845Z

Only a handful of times, and it worked fine. At home I have a dedicated interface so to be honest I don’t have as much experience with that feature.

Auguste · 2020-12-11T20:26:21.679Z

I have used one as an audio inferface afew years ago and thought it worked pretty well, didnt come up with any issues as far as I remember and thought it was super simple to set up

bmoren · 2020-12-21T17:10:08.638Z

I’m in the market for a new recorder since my current h1 just bit the dust. I’m generally really picky as my capture kit is super small (camera and sound fit inside of a pelican 1150). The recorder is generally used with onboard mics and in context of filmmaking (although, generally field recording, not making on-board sync sound). I’ve had h1s in the past and tried a dr05 ages ago (but cant really recall it’s quality)… I’ve got a few PIP mics I’ve built (binaural, contact) and plan to build a few more in the future. Generally trying to stick to ~<$200

so my thought are somewhat between:
Zoom h1n
Zoom H4n Pro Black
Tascam DR-05X
Tascam DR-07X
Tascam DR-40X (no pip power is a minor problem, would need to adapt mics)

I’'m a little skeptical to get something larger than the really small recorders for my general needs and portability, but the 40X and h4 are probably on the edge and could work if it seems like they are major benefits in terms of the built in mics and pip mic input quality. It’s just really hard for me to tell!

Any advice is much appreciated!

_mark · 2020-12-21T17:29:58.155Z

Perhaps consider the nagra mezzo too:

Trew Audio

Nagra Mezzo 2-Channel Digital Handheld Recorder - Trew Audio

The Nagra MEZZO was designed as a compact, lightweight and easy to operate recorder for on-the-go recording situations.

anon60283851 · 2020-12-21T20:23:23.093Z

How about a used Sony PCM-M10? If you want something small, it seems they’re highly rated both regarding built in mics and general preamp quality / noise floor.

corpusjonsey · 2020-12-21T20:35:50.572Z

I certainly love mine. Had it for ~5yrs with no issues. Using Usi mics with a stereo bar and mini tripod.

vals · 2020-12-21T20:49:09.549Z

Sony PCM-M10 provides enough PIP power for the Usi?

corpusjonsey · 2020-12-21T20:54:00.459Z

Yes indeed. No issues with plug in power for Usi on the M10.

dianus · 2020-12-21T21:34:02.626Z

I have a Tascam DR-05V2, I can’t remember when I picked it up. It’s cheap, not audiophile quality by a stretch but it’s lightweight and small so I take it everywhere with me. Especially biking around it’s nice to have for capturing incidental soundscapes.

I’ve also had an experience with the Zoom R16 which is very cool. It’s a digital mixing deck, recorder that’s very light weight and can be battery powered. 8 channels, XLR/balanced inputs, channel faders, even some fx. Records to an internal SD card. I’d say it qualifies as portable as it fits handily in a modestly sized backpack.

djkurtkuopegi · 2020-12-27T20:33:09.382Z

I was looking for this recorder but then I realized that it does not offer +48 phantom power just before buying.

oscillateur · 2021-01-01T08:25:23.432Z

"karst:

papernoise:

One thing I saw coming is that the rubbery finish on the plastic shell is now turning into a sticky mess. Why does everybody insist on using this kind of finish? It’s horrible! If anybody has a tip on how to deal with that, please let me know.

I had this happen to me as well. wound up taking apart the H5 and scrubbing the hell out of the outer shell with iso alcohol.

This is sort of off-topic but I couldn’t find a better place and I’m not sure this deserves its own topic…
My KMI QuNexus developed the same “disgustingly sticky rubber” symptoms at some point (I also really don’t get why companies use that coating) and ended up on a shelf as its feeling made it the opposite of an instrument I wanted to play.

I took advantage of a rare bit of calm, free time (kids at their grandparents’ home ) and used some alcohol that we typically clean our hands with to get rid of the rubber coating and it worked surprisingly well. I was ready to order some 99.9% iso alcohol but the one we had was enough.

So, if someone had the same issue, it seems perfectly safe to get rid of the coating on the QuNexus (which was on every surface except the pads, thankfully). I think it actually looks and feels better than before it became sticky, so that’s a plus too.

Thanks for mentioning that cleaning method in this thread .

varispeeder · 2021-01-02T02:06:06.204Z

This week on some long hikes, I found myself frustrated with the Zoom XY capsule. They sound totally great for most things but I’m finding myself wishing for a shotgun to focus the sound more directionally (like on a specific bird rather than a whole forest of them).

I’m not about to lug my Audio-Technica w/ dead cat and shockmount out for this purpose though - this is for processing, Morphagene, transitions, etc, so self-noise is not really a factor but handling noise definitely is.

I listened to the shootouts that included the SSH-6 and I was very impressed, esp for $149. I’m always in love with stereo so I like the idea of being able to control the width. Anyone own one and have thoughts?

rmro · 2021-02-02T12:54:32.810Z

I was wondering if anyone has experience with both Sony M-10 and D100?

I have a M-10 which is battered and bruised but hanging in there, I’m thinking of getting hold of a D-100. I mainly use my M-10 with a Sound Devices Mix-Pre D and DPAs.

I’m sure the D-100 mics are way better and that appeals but curious if the line is is also an improvement?

Alternative is something with XLR inputs, there is the Mix-Pre 3 but I use my handheld for lots of things, storing sketches, listening to jams out and about, playing through effects. The convenience and battery life win out. For some reason the Zoom offerings don’t appeal, I think I’m being a bit of a gear snob maybe

tnelson · 2021-02-02T14:38:20.714Z

Lots of discussion of M10 vs D100 at TapersSection forum and Gearslutz/Remote Possibilities in Location Recording & Production sub-forum. Much experience and anecdotal info shared there, including practical and technical comparisons. The passing of the M10 was much mourned at TapersSection, and many threads have followed on best replacement recorder, including but not restricted to D100.

Shiftr · 2021-02-02T17:44:34.019Z

I have a D-100 and a M10… D100 recordings with the mics are nicer and cleaner than the M10 … But M10 is pretty close. I wouldn’t expect that much difference with the line in. It’s mostly the preamps and the mics that make the difference.

brook · 2021-02-02T17:59:51.434Z

I’ve used two for quite a while: A Tascam DR100 mk iii (I think it’s the iii) and an old Olympus LS-100. I also use some Sound Devices recorders from our film program, and they have by the best preamps of anything I’ve used for many years. We have a variety of Zoom recorders too, and. I. Hate. Them. It’s the preamps. Ugh. You won’t notice it recording a band or some such, but for field recording I found these units useless unless very high output mics are used - and then you have to be careful to not overload the preamp. (Caveat: I am really sensitive to hiss/noise.)
The Olympus is also noisy and has a strange un-defeatable rolloff on bass frequencies when using the built in mics, but there’s something about its ergonomics and size. I’ve used it with high output binaural fake-earbud mics and gotten some good recordings.
The DR100 is exactly, as someone mentioned above, a compromise. Far superior preamps to the Zooms (or the Olympus), can be used for film sound in a pinch. We ended up buying several for the film program I used to chair, and a few units had loose switches that needed to be taped down to for filming in very quiet spaces/scenes, but were otherwise fantastic.
One other option I use more and more often: a sennheiser/ambeo “smart mic” headset with an iPhone. I as pleasantly surprised at the results. The noise level is maybe a little better than the Zoom H4n or the Olympus, but its still noisier than the DR100 paired with the right mics. But as an always-in-the-bag phone accessory to pop out for recording at any time, its fantastic. I used to take the Olympus everywhere I went, but increasingly I leave it behind and use the Ambeo/Iphone. The Olympus beats it for speed though - no need to plug anything in, recording level set via physical dial, basically pull it out of the pocket and hit record.
In the end, for any serious field recording (or film sound) I find the mics matter as much or more than the recorders, as long as the recorder has decent preamps.

hallvard · 2021-02-06T12:04:44.064Z

Hi! i ended up getting a nice deal on a mixpre 3 after advice above in the thread. As I understand it is very power hungry, so have ordered a usb battery bank (Anker 20000 PD) which I could use for other things too.

Have been watching for Usi Pros for many months, but they are still sold out. Are there any good alternatives in the same price range for stereo field recording (quiet ish sounds)? I see the Clippys are mentioned above -could perhaps work well?