Anybody out there know where I can find a device (other than my computer) for recording MP3s? I’m not interested in using it as a personal stereo device (so I don’t need an iPod, which is what the guy at Radio Shack tried to sell me)…just something I can use to record songs at lessons and such (and, perhaps, to get better quality whistle recordings than I get on my computer).
Redwolf
There are several solid-state thingies coming out now that I know nowt about, but I use a Hi-MD (latest generation minidisc recorder) portable recorder with a tiny mic that plugs into it that works superbly. You can upload your session recordings very quickly to your PC via USB and put them on CD or ( I believe) convert them to MP3 using Sony’s SonicStage software. If you buy a MD recorder for this purpose you must ensure that it has a mic input socket - they most decidedly don’t all have them. I won’t rattle on any more about MD unless you want to know more (PM me?).
Cheers
Steve
That actually sounds like the kind of thing I’m looking for.
Redwolf
Hey Red…
Michael Eskin has this page about Digital Recorders also.
I do like my minidisc recorder and last year I upgraded to HiMD. You don’t have to pay as much as $300 for one though. You can get them from Amazon in the UK for under £100 (mine’s a Sony MZNH700). A single HiMD disc can record for eight hours at very good quality (even longer at reduced, but still good, quality) - great for a session as you can just leave it running. You can edit out all the useless bits on the recorder and/or upload the recording onto your computer and do it there. Make sure you have the very latest update of Sony’s SonicStage software, as earlier versions had a nasty habit of uploading and deleting your disc at the same time, giving you only one chance to upload. The software is provided with the recorder. Upgrades are free on Sony’s site. Uploading is far quicker than real time, comparable to writing a CD on a computer. I have five or six discs onto which I’ve copied my favourite ITM and classical CDs, and they go with me everywhere together with a little pair of travel speakers (Creative TravelSound). That’s about 48 hours of music at high quality. You’d be hard-pressed to tell them from CD quality. I’m in the process of making some more. The discs can be used an infinite number of times. You can still use your old minidiscs too.
Steve
My MD recorder with a tiny stereo lapel mic with clip (I actually use that as my harmonica mic most of the time). The black box is the battery unit (1 x AA) with on-off switch. Radio Shack sell similar mics in the US. Make sure you get a stereo one. They’re cheap.
With a different stereo mic, the Sony ECM-MS907. A bit more expensive but does a very good job (but so does the cheapie lapel mic). I’ve recorded school concerts with this set-up, just on the floor next to my chair, with impressive results!
Steve