Portable Digital Audio/ Music Recorders. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 03, 2018, 11:01:57 am
content: I am contemplating the purchase of a portable digital audio/ dictation/ music recorder and for those who may not know they are similar in operation to a digital camera but for audio only. Some creators on Youtube use these devices for better quality audio recording instead of using the microphone on their camera and there are quite a few video reviews around for these devices. I currently and frequently use the audio recording function on my silly smart phone for notes, music and other stuff but think it is time to take this to the next level, the phone is simply not up to the task and never really was.The devices I have looked at so far are the Tascam DR-05 and the Zoom H1N, prices down here for each unit are about the same at around $160 AUD which I am comfortable with. Out of these two devices I am leaning heavily toward the Tascam and believe it has additional features in relation to music recordings which is something I intend to delve further into, in fact I am about to configure a computer specifically for audio and music applications and this will be loaded with a number of audio programs starting with Audacity and Reaper.There are also literally dozens of generic gadgets on Ebay starting from around $20 and some of theses do appear on paper at least to be of reasonable build quality particularly for use just as a music player. If anybody has used one of these cheaper devices and found it okay then I am certainly open to other options and would like to hear of peoples experiences with these units, I have posted some images of these cheap generic units below.Just today I found an as new Philips DVT-6010 at a local store and I can get it for half price at around $90, this particular unit is aimed more at lecture, interview and dictation type recordings and for my requirements I might be better off having two separate devices. Unlike the other two I mentioned earlier this unit does not have a line level output and I may have a need to plug a device directly into my audio amplifier or mixer on the odd occasion. At this point I am still undecided on this unit even though it has some very handy features including a large coloured screen.Tascam DR-05https://tascam.com/us/product/dr-05/topZoom H1Nhttps://www.zoom-na.com/products/field-video-recording/field-recording/zoom-h1n-handy-recorderPhilips DVT-6010https://www.dictation.philips.com/au/products/audio-recorders/voicetracer-audio-recorder-dvt6010/

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 03, 2018, 11:43:01 am
content: This post is reserved for device specifications and information which I am still in the process of collating.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 13, 2018, 01:26:53 pm
content: For those following this thread with great interest, I went back to the local store today to have another look at that Philips DVT-6010 which I mentioned earlier and ended up buying it at a pretty good price. So far I've only had time for a brief look through the menu options along with a quick play and record session and I am certainly impressed with this devices feature set.The same store also had a used Zoom H2 fairly cheap so I grabbed that as well and have just updated the firmware on it, unlike the current Zoom H2N the older model had a tiny display and crappy membrane buttons making for a pretty ordinary user interface. Anyway, I'm still keen on the Tascam DR-05 for music applications but as I've never used any of these recording devices before at least now have a couple to get me started.

author: R005T3r
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2018, 03:44:05 pm
content: I'd have got a tascam 22WL, because you have more features, and moreover, you can organize the records. Also, the XY config is the only config you will use, because is better. Also, you can use a wind suppressor without compromising too much the recording.The mics are changeble: if you break them you can get a replacement, and it has mono + stereo, and trust me: stereo recording is another thing entirely compared to the zoom. You can even do some serious editing if you are intersted to...Also, it can be used with niMH batteries, and it has support for them.I've owned many recorder, and this is one of the bests i have.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 13, 2018, 04:32:06 pm
content: Thanks very much for the information, I initially looked at the DR-22WL and at the time couldn't really justify the extra $70 price difference to the DR-05, they are currently listed down here by most sellers and music stores at around $229 but I recently found one seller who now has these reduced to only $170 which makes them a valid and affordable option.I read and watched a number of reviews on these and other units and a few people stated that the DR-22WL and DR-05 are very much the same except for the better gain adjustment and remote control applications on the DR-22WL. One reviewer said if you didn't need to remotely control the recorder then the DR-05 was a better choice in regards to user operation, another person said that the IOS app was fantastic but the Android app was complete rubbish and needed to be improved, I use Android and don't really need remote control anyway.

author: R005T3r
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2018, 06:29:46 am
content: Scrap the apps you probably don't need them, however, a better gian adjustment is a lifesaver in some situations, and it is well worth the $70 extra you pay for!Not to mention that the mics are bigger than the dr05, and hence you get a better recording.