Tascam DP-004 Pocketstudio Digital Recorder Review

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(More customer reviews)As a songwriter who needs something that will allow me quickly to jot down song ideas and fragments, as well as completed songs, this unit is a little cumbersome. In order to create a song, you must do the following:
1. Turn on unit
2. Press "Menu" button
3. Scroll to "Song" menu item
4. Click a function button to select
5. Using the data wheel, scroll down to "Create"
6. Click a function button to select
7. Use data wheel to enter name of song one laborious letter at a time (optional step: you can forgo naming a song and it will be named "Song023" etc.)
8. Click "Home" button
9. Click "Rec" buttons for tracks 1 and 2 (assuming you want to record in stereo).
10. Click the record transport and play transport buttons together, to start the recording process (I'm assuming you have already set the input levels and want to use the built-in mics)
11. Click the stop transport button when you are done recording your song
12. Repeat steps 9-11 if you wish to overdub another voice or instrument on tracks 3 and/or 4.
13. Click "Menu" button, then "Play" to listen to playback
14. Click stop button at end of song
15. Click "In/Out" button
16. Click function key "Out" to set the out point
17. Click "Rec Mode" button
18. Using data wheel, scroll down to "Master Rec"
19. Click function key to select
20. Click the record transport and play transport buttons together, to start the recording process for the "master" track (this is simply a stereo mixdown of the four tracks)
21. Click "Rec Mode" button
22. Using data wheel, scroll up to "Multi Track"
23. Click function key to select
24. Click "Menu" button
25. Scroll using data wheel to "Wave"
26. Click function key to select
27. Scroll down to "Export Master"
28. Click function key to select
29. Use data wheel to enter name of song one letter at a time (optional step: you can forgo naming a song and it will be named "Song023" etc.)
30. Click function key to execute exporting of the master stereo tracks to the FAT partition of the SD card within the unit.
31. Attach unit to your computer via the supplied USB cable
32. Open folder to view the files on the Tascam
33. Click the "Wave" folder to find the master tracks you just created.
34. Go to a file conversion program to convert the ".wav" file to an ".mp3" file, so you can email it to your friends, etc.
Whew! Not exactly a quick, friendly, intuitive process!
What you want is a two-click process to start recording (as on my old mini-disk recorder), and then be able to connect to a computer to copy the file and convert. There are an awful lot of extra steps involved, but of course you are talking about four tracks, not just stereo, so there's just no getting around the necessity of the mix-down/mastering. What is a little odd and annoying are those extra steps to export the master to the FAT partition of the Tascam SD card (steps 27-30, above).
Also, since each song file must be loaded before you can listen to it, there is no way to play songs one after the other unattended, or zip quickly between songs like you can do on an iPod or CD player, to audition which is which (thus naming them is critical).
Anyway, a word to the wise if you want something quick and easy. You pay for the ability to make a multi-track recording. On the other hand, if you want something with great quality recording sound, ample storage (a 16 GB SDHC card gives you 1300 track minutes in the 8 GB partition you can create (the largest possible), very nice and senstive built-in stereo mics,
and something you can use to create an excellent mini-demo, then this will definitely do the trick.
TIP: Purchase a PSP-100 power adaptor. It is made for the Sony Playstation and is identical to the more costly PS-P520 Tascam says you have to buy (i.e., 5V, 2A, correct plug and polarity). I paid $5 for mine, not $30!

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Smaller than a paperback book, the 4-track Tascam DP-004 Pocketstudio digital recorder is simple enough for students, songwriters and musicians who want to keep their recording process simple and creative.

Offering four tracks of CD-quality digital recording, the DP-004 can record two sources at once to the included 1 GB Secure Digital (SD) memory card. A built-in stereo condenser microphone makes it simple to record anywhere you go, perfect for concerts, rehearsals and songwriting inspirations. A pair of 1/4-inch jacks on the rear panel allow you to connect your own microphones or sources--you can even switch the inputs to guitar level for recording.

You can build up your arrangement until you've filled up all four tracks, and the Bounce feature allows you to consolidate tracks and make room for more overdub layers. Once you set levels and pan, record your mix onto a dedicated stereo master track. You're able to transfer your tracks and mixes to a computer over USB for CD burning and sharing online.

Key FeaturesConnections:
Two 1/4-inch unbalanced mic/line inputs
Switchable guitar input
Headphone/Line output
USB 2.0 connector
Recording:
Four-track digital multi-track recording
CD-quality 44.1kHz/16-bit WAV recording
Records to SD Card media (1 GB card included)
Repeat, Record undo
Dedicated stereo mixdown track

Physical:
Powered through AA Batteries or optional PS-P520 power adapter
Battery life: About 8 hours recording, about 8.5 hours playback (alkaline batteries)
Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.3 x 4.2 inches (WxHxD)
Weight: 2.8 ounces

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Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder Review

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(More customer reviews)A year ago, I wrote a lengthy comparison of the Edirol R-09 WAVE/MP3 Recorder, Black and the Zoom H4 Handy Recorder + 2GB Accessory Kit (pre-accessory kit). I wanted a high quality, easy to use recorder, so even though the H4 had all of the features of the Edirol and sold for considerably less, I kept the Edirol because it was so much easier to use.
Zoom has responded with the H2, a scaled down version of the H4 with all of the features of the R-09 and all of the controls right where you need them. The H2 even has additional features over the R-09, but they don't get in the way. For example, there's a choice of a 90 degree recording pattern, a 120 degree recording pattern, and even a surround sound option. Samsontech has some nice video demonstrations on its website.
One big complaint I've had with the Edirol is the cost of its add-on stand. Unlike the Edirol, the H2 comes with a simple stand. In addition, the H2 has a threaded hole so that it can be mounted on a standard digital camera tripod! On a separate note, it's much easier to replace batteries with the H2 than the Edirol.
Recently, I got together with friends and recorded the same live acoustic music on both the Edirol R-09 and the Zoom H2. I used Adobe Audition only to normalize both tracks (that is, equalize their loudness). The first time we played them back, I thought I detected a VERY slight preference for the Edirol, with the overall opinion of the group split between the two units. The second time we played them back, my preference was for the H2, with overall opinion continuing to be split. We all agreed that the differences were so small as to be negligible if there were any at all. The sound files can be found at [...] for those who'd like to hear for themselves. We were sitting in a circle with the recorders located next to each other on a mantle above and outside the group.
I do prefer the Edirol's control buttons to the H2's membrane and I'm not about to sell the Edirol, perhaps because I am more familiar with the Edirol and don't want to give it up just yet. Also, the Edirol R-09 is the darling of the moment. However, if I owned neither, I couldn't justify the huge bump in price of the Edirol over the H2 and would opt for the H2. When I went to a music party last weekend and knew I'd need only one recorder, I grabbed the H2.

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The Zoom H2 is a must-have for anybody doing podcasting to almost any type of mobile recording situation. An affordable 2-track recorder using a 4-mic capsule configuration and digital signal processing, the H2 allows a variety of polar patterns and even supports 5.1 surround sound. Record at 96kHz, 48kHz, 44.1kHz or MP3. Archive files to your computer using the USB port. Use as a USB mic to record your guitar or vocals directly to computer. A Time stamp feature facilitates production. The H2 has an approximate 4-hour running time on 2 AA alkaline batteries. It includes earbuds, stereo adapter cable, mic clip adapter, tripod stand, USB cable, AC adapter and a 512MB SD card. Now the Zoom H2 can accept up to a 16 GB SD cards with the latest firmware installed. Have an older version? Update easily and for free at Zoom's website, www.zoom.co.jp. Click here for listing of compatible SD cards! Who Needs the H2 Handy Recorder from Zoom? Everyone who craves brilliant stereo recordings. It's a simple idea: provide brilliant stereo recording in an easy-to-use, ultra-portable device. Now everyone can record pristine audio in an infinite variety of applications. From seminars and conferences, to electronic news gathering (ENG) and podcasting, to musical performances, songwriting sessions and rehearsals, the H2 provides amazing recording quality. And no matter what kind of music you perform or the instrument you play, the H2 can effortlessly record it in high-quality stereo. Zoom H2 Features W-XY mic patterns with 4 mic capsules and signal processing allows Front 90° cardioid, Rear 120° cardioid and 360° polar patterns Finally record 360° sound as 2ch data or 4ch data simultaneously Built-in USB 2.

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Korg Sound on Sound Unlimited Track Recorder Review

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(More customer reviews)I spent a few hours recording with this at home and then took it to the car, picked up some friends and let them hear it through the car stereo... they couldn't believe I did everything on this little black box!
It's a remarkable device that comes somewhere between a pocket mp3 recorder and full DAW setup...
CONSTRUCTION: Absolutely rock solid - top quality product. Made in Japan. Doesn't look or feel cheap.
SIZE: Nice size for it's purpose - not too big - not too small - just right for the desktop, couch or car! 5.25" x 2.75" x 1"
CONTROLS: Large, positive controls, all well laid out, easy and intuitive to use.
SCREEN: Adequate size (1.75" diagonal), clear and bright. It's actually a TOUCH screen - initially you probably won't use this feature much but I'm sure it'll become very useful once you are more familiar with the device.
BOOT UP: Not exactly spontaneous - It takes about 20 secs to boot-up - then it'll take a few more seconds for you to setup a "New" recording. You can either click through all the previous recordings till you get to the end of the list (takes too long) or you can simply hold down the STOP key and press RECORD. Now you've got a new empty "song" file ready to be recorded.
RECORDING: For recording freestyle, the built in mics are very, very good... they pickup everything crystal clear.
TEMPO: Set the tempo by just tapping the tempo key and the device responds by displaying and setting the BPM's accordingly.
DRUMS: Next, you can select a drum beat - there are 50 - but there's only one or two that I like (there's no way to program or create your own) - so I always use mainly the same drum sound as a metronome while I record bass guitar... Each drum preset can be varied a little during playback by touching the (Rhythm) screen giving 4 variations, fills, hi-hats, etc...
SOUND ON SOUND: Having chosen a drum beat, a good tempo and a bassline, I can now start adding additional sounds (overdubs) - even vocals - and move on with the creative process.
UNDO: Let's say the song is 5 minutes long and you are recording each track live... for the whole 5 minutes... there's times when you make a mistake so you STOP - press the UNDO button and delete the last take in it's entirety - then try again... This starts to take up a considerable amount of time... hours can disappear while you are playing with just ONE song.
EFFECTS: The effects are phenominal - you can use them on the input of the recording... and on the Master output. Each effect has several parameters - so again, you could be spending many hours messing around with different ideas for each part (overdub) that you record.
BATTERIES: Two AA Batteries seem to last a very long time. I see no need to buy a power adapter.
POCKETABLE? It's a little too big to carry around in your pocket 24/7 for spontaneous recordings... I found another recorder just right for that - the Olympus Digital Voice Recorder DM-420
DILEMMA: You will probably spend as much time recording with this device as you would sitting down and recording with a proper DAW... but the DAW results will obviously be far superior... so why not just sit down at your DAW and record? Why do it once on this SR1 - and then probably have do it all again on a proper DAW? (with better Mic Pre's, EQ's etc).
CONCLUSION: The SR1 is a poor man's recording studio - or a rich man's toy studio. No doubt some kid who couldn't afford anything else will make a hit record with the SR1.
I REALLY LOVE THE KORG SR1 - I JUST HAD TO HAVE IT!!!!!!!

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Boss Micro BR Digital Multitrack Recorder Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been looking for a device that would allow me to multi-track record with the utmost convenience. I have used my computer with a USB sound card to record in the past. I have found it takes me up to ten minutes to set up to begin recording with the sound card. And then, I get bogged down by the numerous options in the recording software. By the time I'm done, I've missed an evening to spend with my wife, and the inspiration to record in the first place has been encumbered by the technology.
My needs are simple. I'm just recording classical guitar solo, duet, and ensemble, but I want a reasonably nice recording. I want set up to be fast. The Micro BR meets these needs.
The Micro BR has four input types for recording: guitar, built in mic, stereo line in, and stereo external condenser mic (with 2.5 V plug-in power). The sensitivity of each input can be adjusted to match a wide variety of equipment. Insertion effects can be added during recording, when bouncing tracks, or when mastering down to a stereo recording. There is a wide variety of preset insertion effects. You can also add reverb to the monitored sound, or to the recording of bounced tracks or mastered tracks. You can play back four tracks at once and record two tracks at once. Each track supports eight "virtual" tracks. These are really just alternative choices to use for a track. You can edit tracks by moving sections of sound, copying sections of sound, or erasing sections of sound. You can also set punch-in and punch-out points for fixing small mistakes. When recording in "normal" mode, you have three choices of formats which are Boss proprietary. In MP3 mode, you can record stereo 64, 128, and 192 kbps MP3 or WAV. In MP3 mode, you do not have the multi-track capabilities nor can you use reverb effects. When doing multi-track recording, after you have mastered down to stereo, you can export to MP3 64, 128, 192, or WAV formats. You can then hook up the device to your computer via USB and copy your production. You can also back up song data to your computer for all the virtual tracks, song patches, and other settings to be recovered at a latter time. The device also is a powerful guitar modeler. There is 80 guitar preset insertion effects. I have not used these guitar effects.
I am very pleased with this little device. Recording quality is really good. Sampling rate is 44,100. AD and DA conversion is 24 bits. Stored recordings have 16 bit samples. Noise on the external mic input could be better, but it is better than any sound card I've used. I have also found the built in mic to be pretty good. It lacks some bass presence, but I've found I can compensate for that on the mix down with the equalizer and boosting the low frequencies. The noise on the built in mic is very clean. I have not noticed any latency problems. One thing I really love about this device is that it is completely silent. Before, I had to move away from my computer to avoid fan noise. This made for awkward ergonomics of playing and controlling the computer. Battery consumption is high. I would recommend rechargeable batteries or purchase the separate DC adaptor. I would also recommend a larger SD card. The 128 MB one provided is good for a few songs. When using multiple tracks, including mastered tracks and copying to MP3, memory goes fast.
This may seem extreme, but this one device has obsoleted my previous hardware and software. I've packed away my minidisk recorder, my USB Audigy 2 NX, and uninstalled Cakewalk Home Studio. I can do everything I need on this one little powerful device that fits in your shirt pocket. If I want to get audio into my computer, I can capture it with this device where ever I want and just use the USB to copy it on my computer digitally. I have also found the Micro BR is great for recording audio of family events. When doing this, I just record in MP3 mode since I really don't need to mix. But while recording in MP3 mode, I have figured out how to apply processing in-line with the recording. I added a limiter to remove clipping and set the 3 band compressor to take out very low frequencies which can distract a recording where you are trying to capture voice. I just use the built in mic which works great for this purpose. The entire family recording setup fits in my shirt pocket. The Micro BR rocks.Review Update
3/2/2009
I still love this thing. Micro BR still rocks. But if I could change a few things, given my recording goals, it would be these things:
1) Have mute for tracks. Lowering the volume to 0 is a pain.
2) When recording from guitar and built in mic simultaneously, be able to put guitar on one track, and mic on another. This seems to be a simple oversight by Boss.
3) A Bass Cut effect to kill very low frequencies. This might be a bit out of the price range for the Micro BR, but it would be nice.
4) Be able to apply more than one guitar effects from compressor, chorus, flanger, phaser, and tremolo/pan. When you edit the COSM GTR AMP effects algorithm, you have to choose the FX type between compressor, chorus, flanger, phaser, and tremolo/pan. You can only pick one type. You can effectively combine them by bouncing one effect after another, but this takes extra time. Again, this wish is probably outside of the Micro BR price range.
5) Have a bass guitar modeler. This is available on the BR-600, the next model up. It allows you to play bass guitar using a regular guitar. Again, this wish is probably outside of the Micro BR price range.
6) Have some 3/4 time signature drum patterns. They are all 4/4!
Since my original review, I have bought a transducer pick up for my classical guitar. I have since played with the guitar effects. I am not a good judge of how well these effects sound, as I am not an electric guitar player, but the guitar effects modeling is pretty extensive for something so inexpensive. You could easily pay much more for just for a guitar effects box that doesn't even do multi-track recording. You could spend days just playing around with all the effect algorithms and parameters.
Here are some tips for using the Micro BR that I have learned since my original review:
1) When you switch inputs, the available effects bank switches with the input. So for guitar input , you have guitar bank, with built in mic input, you have mic bank, for external mic and line input, you have line/ext bank. I didn't realize this for a very long time, but you can switch the bank and choose between all four banks for all inputs. All you have to do is move the cursor all the way to the left. The cursor will be on GT, MC, LN, or EX. Now just do -/+ VALUE to change the bank without changing the input. The manual does not explain this. This allows you, for example, to use an Enhancer and 4Band Equalizer (which are on the mic bank) on a guitar.
2) The external mic is a little noisy. You can suppress this noise by using the Noise Suppressor effect while recording. Move from EX bank to MIC bank as explained in 1), and then shut off all other effects except the Noise Suppressor. This will kill quite a bit of noise from the external mic without altering the sound.
3) For recording just an acoustic guitar, try combining a pick up with the built in mic. You would need an acoustic guitar with a pick up for this. Place the built in mic about one foot from the bridge. You can do this without an external mixing board. You can mix the two with the input levels to get the balance you want. This ends up sounding really full and natural. I'm quite happy with this. You can balance in just enough of the pick up to make up for the missing low end of the built in mic. This is now my standard way of recording my classical guitar with the Micro BR, and I have experimented quite a bit before settling. Set up for this is very fast.
4) Take notes of what you are doing with your tracks and virtual tracks. You will forget.
5) Don't talk to your spouse about the 5 million things the Micro BR can do. Your spouse will not care.
Have fun!
[...]

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Akai MPC 5000 Music Production Center Review

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(More customer reviews)Imagine having a synthesizer added to your MPC (assuming you have used a MPC before). Same capabilities as the previous models, but my favorite addition is the arpeggio function. When a MIDI keyboard is hooked up you can play out chords and press the arpeggiator button instead of just holding down the note-repeat button. I actually ordered and installed different color pads to give my MPC that customized-look. The internal hard drive is loaded with more than enough soundsets. The ability to chop and edit samples has been simplified with a few auto options. It also has a built in multitrack recorder (which I have yet to mess with), but seems easily accessible at the click of a button. I save my sounds on the internal hard drive and back them up on computer via USB port built on the back of the unit. The option to save and/or load is available for both Compact Flash cards and internal hard drive. Optional DVD Drive can be installed, too...this made my beat CD creation a cinch. The internal ROM is loaded with basic drum sets and synth presets. Make sure you update the Operating System for I heard the original OS was "buggy" (unstable). Like I mentioned in my title...the MPC5000 is quite pricey, but the power of this machine is unrivaled.

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The Akai MPC5000 has a greatly expanded feature set and that legendary MPC feel! The MPC series set the standard for beat production. What would it take to make the ultimate MPC? Dozens of engineers, 20 years of experience and a new synth and drum sampling engine unlike any MPC ever. Introducing the MPC5000; the new standard for music production. Purchase the Akai MPC5000 today and get a FREE Download of the MC5000 OS 2.0 from www.akaipro.com! Check out the in-depth comparison chart for all the MPC's that Akai makes. Use it to find out exactly how much power you need! The MPC5000 is the first MPC ever to include 8-track streaming hard disk recording, a 20-voice, 3-oscillator analog synthesizer with arpeggiator, a new sequencing engine with 960 ppq resolution, pad and track muting and mixing, 64 continuous sample tracks. There's even a new FX engine with 4 FX buses and 2FX per bus. Akai MPC5000 Features 64-voice drum/phrase sampler with 64MB memory (Expandable to 192MB) Three-oscillator virtual analog synth engine with built-in arpeggiator Over 300 Virtual Analog synth presets included Eight tracks of Direct-to-Hard Disk recording Over 40 all new effects available within a modular 4-bus effects processor Master compressor and equalizer Built-in hard disk drive Optional CD-R/DVD drive USB 2.0 port for computer con

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