Yet another iPod . . . yet another iPod without real recording capability. (And no, adding a piece of hardware and then having to deal with low-resolution recording does not count.)
So while Nano is certainly deeply drool-worthy for listening, wouldn’t it be great to have an iPod-like device for recording? Here are some of your options:
Hack your iPod. iPodLinux unlocks full-resolution, uncompressed audio recording with no additional hardware; it works best with a line out plugged into the headphone port but mic recording works, too (though the signal winds up being on the weak side). Installation on Windows and Mac is easy; see links on their site. Bad news: many iPod models aren’t supported; my 3rd-gen iPod works great but 4G support and mini are still in the works — and forget about Nano.
Get an iKey and a hard drive. Gemini’s iKey recorder takes a line in input from RCA and records either MP3 or WAV to a USB key or hard drive. That makes it a good companion to an iPod Shuffle or Nano or, better yet, a high-capacity, full-blown iPod. Detailed specs now available from Gemini. And it’s got a clip indicator so you don’t screw up your recording. Bad news: The iKey could be great for someone whose only need is getting a line feed recorded, especially for extended recording sessions. But the thing is big and clunky (2 lbs, and about 5″ wide) and costly ($229 list) for something that really doesn’t do anything. It’s just a line in, USB out with buttons on it — no mic in, and no built-in storage. For the price, you could get an iPodLinux-compatible iPod, or save up for a real recorder. Speaking of which . . .
Get a decent CompactFlash recorder: This is really the best solution. There are a number of real recording devices that do accept mic input, even with mic pres / phantom power. My favorites of these are the Edirol R-1 and M-Audio MicroTrack (shown). The R-1 has lots of great extras, like a built-in stereo mic that sounds surprisingly good, mic effects, and metronome. The MicroTrack is more iPod-like in shape and has digital in (perfect for connecting to your audio interface.) Bad news: None, really, other than price — about $400 for the recorder, plus $100 for storage. But as opposed to the other routes, while this will cost you more, you’ll get a real serious recorder you can actually use. I’m still saving up for mine, but boy do I want one of those MicroTracks at my next gig.
Get Apple to Add Recording. This sure would be nice. Bad news: Outlook very, very poor.
Previous coverage: (and more details on these recorders)
Which Portable Recorder to Buy?
Gemini iKey Recorder: BYO Hard Drive
M-Audio MicroTrack Portable Recorder: Official, US$499.95
Edirol R-1, Tricked-Out Portable Recording
Korg D4 Compact Flash Four-Track USB Portable Recorder
Pro Digital Recorders with SMPTE Sync for Video Production
The “HD” MiniDisc – 1GB Recorders from Sony
Marantz PMD660 Portable Digital Recorder
Updated: Music thing joins the quest for recording alternatives, no matter how “cheap or ugly.” I’m game. And I’m on the lookout for a MicroTrack to test; stay tuned. Heck, if I get one, and you’re in the NYC area, we can test it on your band. -PK
Updated again: The Digital Music Weblog waxes poetic about an old Archos Jukebox Recorder . . . that’s gigantic and records MP3s, not lossless files. Hrmm, still not impressed. Who knew basic recording would prove to be an elusive technology?
If you have a treo 600 or 650, you can get some _stellar_ audio recording using a free utility called "SoundRec".
Good point. Some equivalents for PocketPC, too. 2 GB SD is pricier than CompactFlash, but still not so bad — and cheaper than buying new gear.
Would like to know your thoughts if you have. Saw the Marantz 660 on a film shoot last week and it seemed pretty solid but the Preamps aren't great. Was using an external mixer and sending it line level.
Yeah, I agree — I want to try these out in person. I'm surprised about the Marantz, given their past rep (I've used plenty of their tape machines. . .)
But yes, let me see if I can get my hands on a MicroTrack. I expect they're in demand . . .
I have heard nice recordings on the R-1, but made from the built-it electret condensor mics — those can be surprisingly good.
Peter
What brand and model is the stereo mic pictured in the photo? I've been looking for something like that for my field recordings. 😕
Thanks, Peter, for yet another thought provoking post. I'm hunting for a decent (and affordable) field recorder to record sync sound while filming. And now, I'm off to check out iPod Linux, since I have a 3G iPod.
The Stereo Mic pictured is the one that comes with the microtrack. No one outside of M-Audio knows of its quality as of now. I use a Sony ECM-MS907 with my old portadat and it sounds awesome. There are many other options from Sony, I haven't really tried other brands in small stereo Mics as I usually use my high end mics for other applications where I don't need extreme portability. GOOD LUCK! Looking forward to seeing a Microtrack in action.
Mr. Random Advice
Product Page
Voice Recording Yes
Line In Yes
Line Out Yes
Optical In Yes
Optical Out Yes
It supports Powered external Mics and works great.
Can any of you who have a pocket PC recording setup point me to links of recordings? what models are good? I wonder if the Nokia 770 will have any recording capability in the future. Looks cool.
First the original creative juke boxes (the first hard disk MP3 player I owned way before the ipod) could record full quality wav files. The current leader is the iriver who do a hard disk based portable player that accepts a stereo mic input. We use it to record our band's practice sessions and it works great!
If so sign me up! What model do you use?
we use the iRiver h120 for Radio Production of our correspondants. And unwired out of house filetransfer. Cause it works great as external harddrive too. So
mac use not a problem, cause it uses common standards usb 2.0 and works as mass storage device.
iriver Page click for detailed spec
faq on iriver and mac
Check out the HHB website news.
http://www.hhb.co.uk/hhb/usa/index.asp
It's a mic with a built in flash recorder. Won't be available for a while and looks more suited to reporters than musicians. Kind of cool anyway. Wonder how much they're gonna ask fo it?!!
I've got it here right now & it's charging for the first time… 😉
I've used my Creative Nomad a number of times over the years for recording and it does a great job. Plus, it'll record to WAV files instead of MP3.
I bought a Sound Professionals mic and mic preamp, which sounds simply awesome and works wonderfully with the Nomad. I've currently got 60 gigs in the Nomad which gives me, like, a million hours or something.
Downside: the Nomad has crappy battery life, so unless you'll be able to plug-in, you've got to keep an eye on the battery while you're recording.
… Ryan (www.laze.net)
The "iaudio U2" (1GB) is the least expensive high quality recorder. At only $129 it records in 192kbps and encodes to mp3 format at the same time! It has a stereo line-in, USB, and mp3 functions. The best part is that U can change the record level (a feature that many voice recorders overlook). The U2 has also been rated #1 small mp3 player by CNET.com
Core Audio has a supposedly pro-quality recorder controlled by a PDA called PDAudio.
Core Audio does the best review of the MicroTrack that I've seen so far.
Cheers,
Kevin
The Nettles
How embarrassing, I bollixed up the links. Let's try that again:
Core Audio has a supposedly pro-quality recorder controlled by a PDA called PDAudio.
Core Audio does the best review of the MicroTrack that I've seen so far.
Cheers,
Kevin
The Nettles
Any recommendations on how to record aduio from a small acoustic set using a laptop with XP Pro?
I would like to buy/rent a mic, since this is a one time thing. If I have to buy a mic, so be it. Also, suggestions on software to record and edit?
some of you definitly do not understand what the iKEY can do. I highly suggest a conversation take place with the designer, engineer or a sales personal at Gemini headquarters in Edison, NJ… http://www.geminidj.com
Now that the iPod (video) seems to support "CD-quality" (44.1kHz stereo), could someone review the iPod as a recorder?
is there an input adapter? or what!?
I've got mac 10.2.8 and want a small recording device which is no fuss, also interested in editing / mixing and producing. Any advice?
I'm more into music than computers.
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