About digital recorders??

thodwris · #1 June 23rd, 2008

Hello all...
For about a month now,I want to buy a digital recorder.The reason is simple.I want to record some of my ideas down,in a better way than through a camera or a web cam microphone

.I checked out some and I want to get one of the TASCAM DP-02 CF or the BOSS BR-600.Anyway,here is my problem....
I am not so good with technology and I have some questions that up to now noone answered...First of all,could I connect the recorder to the FX and the amp at the same time so that I will be able to listen what I am playing,while recording(I know that my questions may sound stupid to some,but as I am at the beginning,I don't really know much)?I ask this cause most of the recorders don't have speakers.Secondly,in order to connect the FX with the recorder,shouldn't I use the MIDI out jack on the FX and the MIDI in,on the recorder?Or is it the other way around?I ask this,cause so far I haven't seen a recorder with a MIDI in jack,at least at the prices I checked out.Furthermore I would like to bypass the effects that some recorders have and use the effects from my processor.The same goes with the S/PDIF jack.I have a S/PDIF out on the FX,in order to connect the recorder,shouldn't I look for one with a S/PDIF in jack?...
Anyone who knows,please help me out with this.The whole thing has given me a terrible headache that I can't get rid of...

Stratrat · #2 July 6th, 2008

The simplest way is to run your guitar through your fx just like you would if you were going to go into an amp, then plug into the instrument input on the digital recorder. To listen to it you'd have to either plug in headphones or a pair of powered speakers to the headphone jack. I have no idea about using the MIDI or S/PDIF inputs, as I've never messed with such things.

The Boss Micro BR is a smaller version of the BR-600, and it's very capable. Another option would be something like the Zoom H2 or H4 - I've been hearing/reading a lot of good things about them lately.

eddiez152 · #3 July 7th, 2008

thod,
As far as the midi jack, it is only for midi I believe. Midi would be any digital device like a real key board or software related. Guitar or vocals are not midi inputs rather mic input. My hookup to the computer is USB.
Its output can be ear phones or speakers. Obviously, you would want the ear phones plugged in to the unit while recording as the mic's would pickup the sound from the speakers the same time you are trying to record a track. But if you want to hear your playing thru the unit, just hook them up to a set of powered monitors activate the record key without actually recording. You will hear everything you are doing. Now if I hit the record key again, It will start recording, I can hear myself in the head phones, and it is recording the track at the same time. i can finish the track and play back and listen to its on board speakers or my head phones, or go directly out to speakers.

I have this one.
Olympus LS-10 Linear PCM Recorder and more Professional Portable / Stereo at GuitarCenter.com.

eddiez152 · #4 July 7th, 2008

thod,

Here is a sample test from the unit. I recorded, listened on head phones, plugged into my USB port opened the file which went directly to my itunes files as an mp3. and listened. I did not go to software to mix or change anything.
This thing is extremely sensitive and probably pickup a fly fart.
Just kidding. Easy to use.

thodwris · #5 July 7th, 2008

Hello stratrat...
Thank you very much for your time and your answer.Nice feedback,it would be very helpful,but it is too late now.I saw that noone was answering to this thread so I decided to look other options.I am set now to record through my computer with the use of the Reaper program....I don't know about the quality of the recordings between a digital recorder and Reaper,but I know it comes a lot cheaper....
Thank you very much again for the answer...
All the best,
Theo

thodwris · #6 July 7th, 2008

Hello Eddie...
Thanks for the answer and all that trouble you got to give me a good answer.And what a great answer that was.Too bad that it is too late now in a way.Since noone answered to this thread I put another one about recording with the computer and with the help of Tekker and some other guys,including you,I am now set to go that way.I may need though to get a digital recorder in the future,so the feedback is very much appreciated.You know,I have been experiencing problems to record my acoustic through the mic of the computer.It doesn't help even though I give it a +40db boost!Maybe a microphone is needed,I don't know...
Anyway thank you very much for your help,for your time and for being there for me....
All the best,
Theo

What the recorder can do is absolutely amazing!Clear,loud sound with no hiss,that was perfect!What you did with posting the clip was even greater,I am moved by your kindness...I really can't find the words to express my gratitude!!Thank you so much Eddie,you are a great man and you have a BIG heart...Thank you....

eddiez152 · #7 July 7th, 2008

Thod,
No worries, you got a lot of good folks here to help out. Many know more about this stuff than I. I can only add that this is the first time I actually tried the unit for this thread. Actually I was rather impressed myself. That was a no fuss effort short of finding the box.
Crystal clear recording capabilities. Now I can only assume that other units work the same.
I choose this one because of its capacity, it has speaker on board so you don't have to have head phones. Remember that is only good for playback. You must use headphones if you want to hear what you are recording into the mic's I hope you understand what I mean. I hope was able to help in some way on something here.
The unit is great for traveling and recording ideas or lyrics you want to review in the future.

thodwris · #8 July 8th, 2008

Hello again Eddie...
Your answers have been more than helpful.I have a clearer idea now about how a digital recorder works.I guess now,after I worked a bit with Reaper I assume that if I wanted to connect my guitar to the recorder through the effects processor,I could do it directly.All those jacks in and out confused me a lot,but I guess the answer is simpler than I thought....The clarity of the recording has made me think a lot and I might go back to the recorder.Well,I will see...
As for the thing you said about guitarists with digital recorders,I think that one is answered by it's self.There are not a lot of answers in this thread so I guess there are not so many who use them

...
Thanks again for your time and info.Keep up posting your songs,they are great

...
All the best,
Theo

michaelcreese · #9 3 Weeks Ago

Thodris, Eddie, Stratrat. The only reason I havent commented so far is that I know nothing of use to you. But I am one of probably loads of people reading with interest. I bought a BR900CD just last Friday for the hugely worthy reasons that it was on the shelf of my store, it was near my birthday, and it looked so coooooollll!. I have not even plugged into it yet as I am still trying to read the book. I will get to grips with it soon but the point is the debate is a great help so dont ever think you guys are speaking out to no one.
Regards and ta all
Mike

Stratrat · #10 3 Weeks Ago

Glad to hear the posts are helpful, Mike. Be sure to check out "The Home Studio" sub-forum further down the board, too.....lots of good, helpful info there about recording stuff.

BTW - my friend who is a drummer has a similar machine (his is a Korg), and he gets very good results with it!

thodwris · #11 3 Weeks Ago

Hello Mike...
Congratulations about the digital recorder!You have a really powerfull piece of equipment there!The fthing I like the most of it is that you can record your music directly to a CD disc!It is a little high for my budget,but I am really happy that you have one!Make sure to learn to work it properly and then if you wish give us your opinion on it.I hope you also post a song to the members recordings soon

.Have fun there... +1 to Mac!There are some very interesting topics for you to read on the "The Home Studio" forum...
All the best,
Theo

michaelcreese · #12 3 Weeks Ago

Thanks for that Theo. I will try to get something working by the weekend , but am a bit worried I have bitten off more than I can chew. That was a real impulse buy.It should be ok, with patience. You should think twice about hearing anything I record, it could worse for your ears than being born in a boiler factory. I will certainly advise what I find about it though, wish you the best.
Mike

thodwris · #13 3 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelcreese

Thanks for that Theo. I will try to get something working by the weekend , but am a bit worried I have bitten off more than I can chew. That was a real impulse buy.It should be ok, with patience. You should think twice about hearing anything I record, it could worse for your ears than being born in a boiler factory. I will certainly advise what I find about it though, wish you the best.
Mike

I can't find why you are being so negative about this.Give it the time that it needs and I am sure it will all be just fine.Don't expect to learn such a complex device in a day or a week.Be positive,try your best,ask your questions if you have any,experiment with the digital recorder and set up and in time you will know all that you need to know.Thanks for your wish.All the best to you to.The best of luck!
Theo

karcey · #14 3 Weeks Ago

G'day Mike,
There's no question that hearing a recording of yourself playing gives you feedback that is impossible to get any other way. If I can use an analogy, it's like having a mirror to check how well you dressed yourself in the dark.
Now the results at first may be a shock. But you'll soon realise what your strengths and weaknesses are and from there you can develop your playing skills.
Don't destroy your early recordings. Keep them as a record of how your playing has changed. And when you're ready for outside help, that little device you've bought will be just what you need to record something for the forum.
All the best.
Karcey