For those seeking a portable recorder

[MikeT]

The topic of portable recorders comes up often around here. I had a Zoom H4 in the past and recently the opportunity to check out a Sony PCM-D50.

The Sony is a BIG step up in quality! Very clean mics and preamps and much better build quality and user interface. Of course it has less features compared to the Zoom, only 2track no effects, no XLR...
But if you just want to capture audio it's worth the upcharge IMO.

They're priced around $500

Mike

[david henman]

...i wonder if anyone will ever make one that's affordable.

$500 for a stereo recorder?

-dh

[MikeT]

there are plenty of cheaper ones (zoom H2 for example).

With the sony you pay for better mics, better AD converters and better preamps. You may not need it...

A deal breaker on the H4 for me was the hiss and noise when powered from batteries and the mic quality. But I might be a bit picky ;)

[richpeax]

The Boss Micro BR does alot of things for $230. The onboard mic is not too bad for throwing on front of your amp to capture ideas and you can add reverb to the onboard MIC. It has POD like ability for direct recording that's not too bad on the clean sounds. It also has a tuner and a drum machine and a input for an external mic or stereo line in. You can bounce down to mp3 or WAV or you can upload MP3's to it. Technology has come along way. I just took mine on a trip with me, it's definitely a cool little toy. It's about 6 inches by 4 inches big.

[Bassomatic]

...i wonder if anyone will ever make one that's affordable.

$500 for a stereo recorder?

-dh

There are models for as little as $199, like the entry-level Zoom.

FWIW, even $500 is relatively cheap. The consumer-level portable DATs from Sony were closer to a grand, and mine *sucked* big time compared to the sound quality of these new portable HD recorders.