Recommendations for Recording device (line-in)

karthikbala · Post by **karthikbala** » 10 Sep 2009, 09:45

I would appreciate any recommendations for a recording device. This would use the line-in from the sound system. Something like an I-pod perhaps? I currently use my laptop, but I'm looking for something anybody could easily use. At least 3hrs (concert-length) uninterrupted capacity (uncompressed, full quality).

regards,
Karthik

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 10 Sep 2009, 09:58

Try the Edirol R09 or Zoom H4

laks1972 · Post by **laks1972** » 10 Sep 2009, 10:00

Some of the devices in descending order of capabilities/ preference:

Edirol
Minidisk NH-N505 (and many other equivalent)
iRiver E100
Toshiba Gigabeat U
iRiver X20

coolkapali · Post by **coolkapali** » 10 Sep 2009, 11:59

I use a transcend recorder.....but i am not able to get very clear recording, however, if u can use a lap top with the cool edit pro software installed, u can get quality recording.

lifeisasong · Post by **lifeisasong** » 10 Sep 2009, 12:19

I use the sony ic recorder and I love it. Small and portable-and can record up to eight hours on high quality.

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 10 Sep 2009, 12:45

lifeisasong wrote:I use the sony ic recorder and I love it. Small and portable-and can record up to eight hours on high quality.

Does it have a line in? (not a mic in)

lifeisasong · Post by **lifeisasong** » 10 Sep 2009, 13:14

Mohan it connects to my computer with a usb cable (that's how it charges). And there is software one has to instal to save the recordings on the comp and edit them. Don't know if that's what you mean-sorry am not very technically competent. As for listening to the recordings, I save them ont he comp first and then listen, for the best quality, though one can hear them straight off the recorder.

laks1972 · Post by **laks1972** » 10 Sep 2009, 14:51

lifeisasong wrote:.... Don't know if that's what you mean-sorry am not very technically competent. .

line-in recording means, recording directly from mixer or pre-amplifier stage by connecting a cable from mixer/ pre-amplifier to line-in socket of the recording device

If the recording device has mic-in socket but NOT line-in socket , the line level signal (voltage) from mixer/pre-amplifier has to be brought down by 90% before it can be used with mic-in socket of the recording device.

Hope this helps.

gn.sn42 · Post by **gn.sn42** » 10 Sep 2009, 20:50

If you're looking for a portable device, Edirol and Zoom are terrific.

Here are the Zoom H4n's specifications.

Of course, you might want a slightly larger recorder for more tracks, better control, and so on.

tkb · Post by **tkb** » 10 Sep 2009, 21:43

I use Transcend MP630 4GB and it has line in recording also. it gives out at 259 kbps bit rate & in .wav format when recorded in "good" quality setting. It cost around Rs 2100/- including a charger.

karthikbala · Post by **karthikbala** » 16 Sep 2009, 10:13

Many thanks for all the suggestions!

kmrasika · Post by **kmrasika** » 21 Sep 2009, 07:00

gn.sn42 wrote:Here are the Zoom H4n's specifications.

Is this product available in Chennai? If so, from where can one purchase it?

gn.sn42 · Post by **gn.sn42** » 21 Sep 2009, 10:33

kmrasika, Zoom's web site shows a distributor in Mumbai - they may have more information.

karthikbala · Post by **karthikbala** » 24 Sep 2009, 11:39

I plan to shop for the recorder next week in San Francisco. Could anyone recommend a good electronics store, preferably near the Opera House on Van Ness?

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 24 Sep 2009, 20:17

Visionary Home Audio & Home Theater is nearly: 1603 Pine at Van Ness, San Francisco, 415.614.1118 (http://www.audiovisionsf.com/) . I do not know if they carry the recorder you have in mid.

btw, we talked about recording with ipod ( not line-in recording ). The latest iPod nano has a built in mic ( it also has a video camera!! ). Not sure if the recording application works with this built-in mic or not.

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 24 Sep 2009, 21:12

I recommend Acidpro 6 or later version. This is a friendly software. I used this version up until my two computers crashed because of virus 5 days ago and while recovering, I lost the software along with all other files.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 24 Sep 2009, 22:18

karthikbala, remember that USA's voltage is 110, so make sure that any device you buy there has a power adapter rated 110-240 volt for international use.

gn.sn42 · Post by **gn.sn42** » 25 Sep 2009, 00:24

karthikbala, Cutting Edge appears to be close by, but you might also want to try a place like Leo's Pro Audio in Oakland.

Or the local Guitar Center might do - it's down the street from the Opera. It's a chain store, and while it has lots of options online, only some of them may be available at the store.

Are you going to catch Seraglio? Do post a review if you can.

karthikbala · Post by **karthikbala** » 25 Sep 2009, 08:41

Thanks for the suggestions!

Apart from Abduction from the Seraglio, I'll be going for Trovatore, and Trittico.

clmweb · Post by **clmweb** » 02 Oct 2009, 00:40

Thanks to everyone for all the help! I picked up the Edirol R09 at Gigasonic in San Jose for $359. There's actually a distributor in Chennai, but he quoted Rs. 27K.

gn.sn42 · Post by **gn.sn42** » 02 Oct 2009, 03:43

The R09 wins! I think it's a good choice - let us know how it performs (or post some clm samples!). Hope you're enjoying the music there too.

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 02 Oct 2009, 05:06

I've got an R09 and it is pretty good - compact size and awesome quality. I understand the Edirol R09HR is even better.

clmweb · Post by **clmweb** » 02 Oct 2009, 22:34

actually the R09HR is the one I got and it was the only model on offer. Will play with it when I get the chance.

clmweb · Post by **clmweb** » 28 Oct 2009, 07:34

The R09HR is great! Many thanks to all for the recommendations!
As thanks, here is a sample from its inaugural run

Isai Payanam with Charulatha Mani
11th October 2009, Ilford
for Tamil Orphans Trust, UK

Smt. Charulatha Mani (Vocal)
Dr. Jyotsna Srikanth (Violin)
Bangalore Sri R.N. Prakash (Mridangam)
Bangalore Sri R.R. Pratap (Ghatam)
Sri Kandaiah Chidambaranathan (Morsing &Tabla)

Left-click the link to play, right-click to save the MP3 file:
http://www.charulathamani.com/clips/tot ... cerpts.mp3

gn.sn42 · Post by **gn.sn42** » 28 Oct 2009, 08:30

Thanks for posting, karthikbala. It's a very nice clean recording, the levels are good and so is the frequency response. It looks like you've used the line in input; how is the recorder with the onboard microphones?

(By the way, how was Seraglio?)

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 28 Oct 2009, 08:43

Great the R-09HR is the newer and better model. I am sure you will get many good recordings from it. The quality I get from R-09 using line in is equivalent to CD quality.

karthikbala · Post by **karthikbala** » 28 Oct 2009, 11:11

gn.sn42 wrote:Thanks for posting, karthikbala. It's a very nice clean recording, the levels are good and so is the frequency response. It looks like you've used the line in input; how is the recorder with the onboard microphones?

(By the way, how was Seraglio?)

Yes, line-in was used, which gave great quality albeit with audience response getting suppressed, which would otherwise add to the "live" feel.
The onboard stereo microphones are very good too. I haven't really put them to live use, but they seem to yield great quality.

Seraglio was good, although hearing the spoken dialogue bits in English instead of German felt strange initially. Trittico was satisfying. Soprano Sondra Radvanovsky's Leonora in Trovatore was awesome. I'd heard her sing the same role impressively in 2006 at Chicago.

gn.sn42 · Post by **gn.sn42** » 28 Oct 2009, 23:35

Good - I've heard very good reviews of the R09.

The Chicago Trovatore was a McVicar production, I understand. Must have been spectacular; glad you enjoyed the SF version too.

clmweb · Post by **clmweb** » 09 Nov 2009, 06:46

gn.sn42 wrote:how is the recorder with the onboard microphones?

Excerpts from a live recording using the built-in microphones are at:

http://charulathamani.blogspot.com/2009/11/temple.html

These are from Charulatha Mani's Deepotsavam concert at Hare Krishna Temple on 01/11/2009
She is accompanied by Sri Erode Nagaraj on mridangam and Sri Arunachala Karthik on violin.

regards,
Karthik

gn.sn42 · Post by **gn.sn42** » 09 Nov 2009, 08:07

Thanks! The microphones sound very good, and you get a bit of a sense of the space.

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 09 Nov 2009, 08:17

Karthik - where did you place the device? On the stage?

karthikbala · Post by **karthikbala** » 09 Nov 2009, 09:04

I just had time to plunk the thing down in front of the artistes. Next time I'll try using a stand or tripod.