| Author | Message | ||
| juggernaught
Intermediate Member Username: juggernaught Post Number: 107 Registered: 3-2007 |
I'm getting to the point where I seriously need to record all the jams that I do, So I'm thinking about a condenser mic/converter/computer combo. My question is what sort of condensers / usb converters do the members here use for recording their jams; i'm looking for something something affordable yet durable and able to pick up the best tone out of my bass. thanks | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1335 Registered: 10-2003 |
Radio Shack, of all places, sells a nice little mic that's designed for meetings and such that sounds quite good. A pair of those through an Onkyo usb hub with audio ins/outs is what I have used to record big bands and such with great results. I think any of the cheap usb audio adapters likely use the same chip inside.. A guitarist I play with has a little all-in-one Edirol unit that sounds pretty good and easy as pie to use.. John | ||
| edwin
Advanced Member Username: edwin Post Number: 289 Registered: 5-2002 |
You might want to look into one of the newer all in one recording units. Some of them have good built in mics that will make a great recording. Most of them have USB connectors so you can directly connect your computer or you can use a card reader. I've heard good things about the Zoom H2. I have an M-Audio Microtrack, which is OK, but there are probably better options for the money. For my personal recordings I use a pair of Rode NT5 mics into a Metric Halo 2882 for general knock about recording and for more serious work I use AKG 414s into a Grace Design preamp. I should point out that my other job is as a location recording engineer, so I have bunch of stuff at my disposal, but the Rode mics are very nice and won't break the bank. Everywhere I've used them, they've done a great job. Edwin | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1888 Registered: 3-2004 |
We recently had a discussion where Bill (lbpesq) bought one of the all-in-ones. I forget which, might have been the Zoom, but you should be able to find the thread with a search if he doesn't pop in here. I remember it was able to record four tracks with two mics facing forward and two to the rear. A pretty cool feature for jams where everyone is around the outside of the space. Personally, I also have a matched pair of Rode NT5 mics that I like for general stereo use. They can generally capture a stereo mix into any decent recorder, or work well on acoustic guitar or as drum overheads if you're trying for something more serious. The all-in-one box has to be the most convenient, though, if you're not looking for a demo to send to the record company. They also have to be the easiest to set up. Never an excuse that it was too much trouble to get the recording. Also, if it sounds good in the room, it should sound pretty good on the machine. No extra effort, record it and press play. When I really care about the tone of my bass in one of these situations, I like to use something with at least four tracks so I can dedicate one to a bass DI. That usually involves some amount of mixdown to balance levels, though. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6238 Registered: 5-2002 |
Yes, Bill got the Zoom H2. The guitar player I play with has a Zoom H4. He recorded one of our gigs, and I thought it sounded pretty good. If it's helpful, I posted samples in this thread. | ||
| juggernaught
Intermediate Member Username: juggernaught Post Number: 108 Registered: 3-2007 |
These are some great suggestions. The zoom h2 or h4 sounds like a good bet, but the Rode NT5 is pretty enticing. The Metric Halo is a bit pricey for me, are there any other converters out there? Also, I see Rode has some cheaper mics, namely the NT1-A, anyone tried one of these? | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6242 Registered: 5-2002 |
There is a slightly related thread here that mentions converters. | ||
| pauldo
Junior Username: pauldo Post Number: 37 Registered: 6-2006 |
clap clap clap - woo hoo whistle whistle YEAH! Dave - that was for you and the Equinox solo - that smoked!!! It sounded like the audience was on another planet -OR- the Zoom H4 didn't pick up the audience very well. :-\ | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1889 Registered: 3-2004 |
I am planning to add an NT-2a to my gear, primarily for vocals. The NT-1a is similar, only doesn't do multiple patterns. I'm not a recording expert, but I'm not sure that a large diaphragm condenser is the right choice for general band recording. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6243 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks Paul!! | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1890 Registered: 3-2004 |
By the way, I am a fan of Sound-on-Sound magazine for recording advice. I was reading about alternatives as I decide what large-diaphragm condenser to get for vocals. In particular, you might want to check out this page: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep06/articles/microphones.htm | ||
| glocke
Advanced Member Username: glocke Post Number: 327 Registered: 9-2002 |
I just picked up a Sony PCM D50 all in one. Two adjustable condenser mics, 4 gigs of built in memory, and a very user freindly interface. New they are kind of pricy ($500.00), but you can find them used for around $300.00. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2949 Registered: 7-2004 |
Just back from a weekend at a hotel where the wi-fi wouldn't connect. I feel like I was jonesing for this forum! I did indeed pick up the Zoom H2 after a fair amount of research. It is one of those situations where, now after living with the unit for a couple of months, I am absolutely, completely, positively sure I made the right choice. It's small, VERY simple to operate, and produces a fine recording of rehearsals. It's also great to keep around when I'm messing around on guitar and come up with a new idea for a song - I just turn on the H2 and immediately record the idea before my kid asks me to play video golf and I forget all about it. I even plug it into my car stereo and start listening to the evening's rehearsal on my way home! It's great for getting a read on how the band is sounding and whether a particular part I'm trying is working or not. Simple, small, easy, quality recordings, and CHEAP ($200 new). What's not to love? Bill, tgo | ||
| pauldo
Junior Username: pauldo Post Number: 38 Registered: 6-2006 |
Bill, What is the recording capacity (time wise) of the H2? tia | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1892 Registered: 3-2004 |
From the product page: "The H2 records on Secure Digital (SD) media and a 512MB SD card is included. With a 4GB SD memory card, the H2 provides up to 2 hours recording at 96kHz, 6 hours at 44.1kHz, or up to a staggering 138 hours in MP3. Store your recordings on a PC or Mac with its USB 2.0 interface. And you can use its time stamping function for reference during production. Or use the H2 as a USB Mic for recording directly to a computer." The product page, which has links to the manual: http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1916&brandID=4 | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6244 Registered: 5-2002 |
Bill; thanks for the update! Your comment about practicing at home is causing me to think a little more seriously about breaking the budget. | ||
| benson_murrensun
Junior Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 20 Registered: 5-2007 |
I, too, have a Zoom H2. It's an amazing little device with so many features that I doubt I'll ever use them all. Of particular note are the 4 microphones. You can select the front 2, which have a 90 degree angle of pickup, or the rear 2 which have a 120 degree angle of pickup, or all 4, for recording front and rear simultaneously. When you use all 4 you can record in 4-track or stereo. The 4-track setting uses a whole lot more memory, but you can adjust front-rear balance for playback. Additionally, you can use external mics if you like. I was going to get a larger memory card, but so far I have been recording rehearsals in MP3 only, and there is plenty of time available on the included memory card, so I haven't gone out to buy a larger capacity card (yet). | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6250 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks for the review Ben! | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1893 Registered: 3-2004 |
Oddly, it looks like the H2 may be a better device for many than the more expensive H4. Between four microphone recording, apparently easier to use menus, and support for larger SD cards, it seems like it may be the better choice. This comes from my reading of the product pages for each as well as many reviews on Amazon and various music supply and review websites. I'm not sure I understand what is supposed to be better about the H4, but I'd like to know for sure. It seems like you can get an H2 for under $200 and I may have to grab one. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2952 Registered: 7-2004 |
The one advantage of the H4 is that it has 1/4" mic inputs, so you can use it with your own external mikes. That's it. I looked at both, along with the Edirol and 2 or 3 other units. For my purposes (small, simple, good quality) the H2 can't be beat. If you have a pair of fancy condenser mikes that you want to use, then get the H4. If not, the H2 is the way to go. Bil, tgo (Message edited by lbpesq on February 22, 2008) | ||
| juggernaught
Intermediate Member Username: juggernaught Post Number: 109 Registered: 3-2007 |
Or if you want to use a DI from your bass, no? | ||
| freefuzz
New Username: freefuzz Post Number: 5 Registered: 2-2008 |
i use the zoom h2 alot, and i think it's fantastic for band room recordings. i also have the h4 and it's great because it has phantom powered xlr inputs for higher quality mics, plus jack inputs for guitars, etc.. the h4 offers 4 channel recording, which the h2 does not. both of them are incredible machines for the money and offer great easy recording, and transferring to the pc for further rendering with (for example) wavelab. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1896 Registered: 3-2004 |
I thought the H2 did four channel recording in the mode where it uses all four mics simultaneously? Based on what you actual users are describing, it seems like the H2 is right for the casual recording of a rehearsal or event. The H4 would be a better device for a songwriter's tool to lay down a couple parts and a drum track sequentially. Is that a fair characterization? | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6252 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks for the review Philip! Bob; I'm not sure, but I think on the H2 when you use all four mics, the resulting wav file can be played on a 5.1 surround sound system. A bit beyond my level of understanding. I've yet to see anything that indicates you can do "regular" four track recording with it. If I recall, the H4 has some built-in effects. But one thing that seems worth consideration for some might be that the H4 comes with Cubase LE, which might be worth the difference in price by itself if you don't already have some kind of mixing software. I don't know; I'm just guessing. | ||
| freefuzz
New Username: freefuzz Post Number: 6 Registered: 2-2008 |
the h2 will record 4 channels simultaneously in surround mode, and the material is 5.1. compatible, since it makes 2 .wav files. in 4 channel mode you can't use the line or mic in's though, so no overdubbing. so it is not a great songwriter tool, no. that's where the h4 comes in handy, since it's basically a multitrack recorder with built in mics (and effects). surround mode will use twice as much memory capacity. for those without surround, the stereo recording with internal mixdown of the front and rear mics works just fine. so, bsee, you did make a fair characterization! |
