I’m looking into buying an mp3 player (something large, like 20 gig), and since my Minidisc player is on the fritz, I am thinking about buying one that can record too–does anyone out there use an mp3 player to make recordings of themselves/sessions? If so (or if you know of something useful) could you direct me toward a good product?
If you don’t use mp3, what do you use?
Thanks from China,
M
Digital recording… wouldn’t you use your fingers?
Sorry, couldn’t resist. Off to bed for me.
Cheers,
Aaron
“Digital recording… wouldn’t you use your fingers?”
Yeah, if I were playing a “recorder”.
M
iRiver
Currently I have the iHP-120 but that model is no longer being made. I’m having it replaced with the 320 model (can’t remember what letter precedes that).
Check it out online.
OK, I’m an idiot … moxy, help!!!
I’ve been looking for such an animal myself. So I went to the iriver site and got thoroughly confused … all I keep seeing is players. Can they record, too – i.e., the same way a minidisc can? And more important, can they record directly into mp3 format?
Like I said, I’m an idiot. But honest, I’m trying not to be … 
…
another option is the Neuros:
http://www.neurosaudio.com/store/prod_neuros.asp
unusual features: will record cd quality uncompressed audio, is available in sizes up to 80 gig, includes a (short range) FM transmitter, & uses extendable open source firmware. it is a bit larger than some other music player/recorders: 5.3" x 3.1" x 1.3", 9.4 oz. prices are relatively good: 20gig unit is $250. they are currently backordered til mid feb.
enjoy! /dan
I went through the same thing. Could not get much useful info from the iriver site. I ended up buying an iriver ifp190T, for about $80. I can record, download to the computer by USB connection, convert to mp3, and slow it all down with the Amazing Slowdowner. The controls were a little hard to learn (at least for me). My only serious objection is that the recording quality is not too good. It uses an internal microphone, but some of the more expensive irivers have an input socket for an external mike, so that would be a good option.
Dave Copley
Loveland, Ohio
I am currently drooling over this amazing bit of technology.
What it can do, according to the website:
"The Edirol R-1 is the perfect recording tool for the Irish musician. Perfect for recording “sessions” or lessons. Since you’ll be recording in either MP3 or WAV formats, transfering your recordings is as simple as connecting your R-1 right to your computer with the supplied USB cable and dragging and dropping!
Also, the R-1 has a built in tuner and metronome AND can play your recordings at half speed."
Unfortunately, it can also bankrupt me right now 
I bought a minidisc recorder a while back, and after the fact, found out it only had a line in, not a mic in, so it records things at this whispery barely audible volume if you try to use a mike. I’m told if I spend more money I can get a little miniamp things. Or I could buy a different model of minidisc recorder or mp3 player or the like.
Anyway, the point is, be sure you know what you’re getting, or you’ll have a very expensive desktop decoration. They’re not even heavy enough to be paperweights.
–Chris
Sorry, I guess I wasn’t very helpful after all! Yep, it records in mp3 and wav (you choose).
It takes some getting used to, in terms of operations. But once you get the hang of it, it’ll quickly become your best friend 
You do need to have a PC though for file management (unless the latest firmware takes care of some of those issues - I haven’t downloaded it and won’t need to given the impending replacement).
good point Chris. also, recording devices with a motor or hard drive often pick up some motor noise when recording from any built in mic. the flash based units like the Edirol R-1, or the similar 4 track Korg PXR4 @ $300 don’t have this problem. the hard disk based Neuros does, and only has a line in, so high quality recording w/ it requires one of the little pre-amplified mics that i’ve seen from $40 to $200.
enjoy! /dan
Thank you thank you thank you! This is exactly the info I needed (wish I’d asked BEFORE I bought that cute little flash recorder that can’t be returned even tho’ it doesn’t do what I want … but it’s so cuuuuuute just sitting there!).
I’ll sift thru the sites and your advice tomorrow and see what I come up with. I still owe the fella a makegood on the failed-flash-recorder for Christmas attempt, and here it is Valentine’s already. 
And yeah, isn’t that Whistle and Drum one a drooler? We were looking at it too, but it’s a little rich for this flute fetishist’s blood
(altho ironically I’d find the price !CHEAP! if it was a flute or something! 
) …
Have a great night, and thanks again!!
cat.
I think I’m down to the Archos, or the iriver–is it difficult or expensive to get a mic with it’s own preamp?
Thanks again,
M
Hi there! I’ve been touting the iRiver to everyone, and love it. But it suits everything I need, not just recording. I just got an iHP-320 to replace my 120 as well. Check out the site http://www.misticriver.net for forums with tons of info on the units and what they can do. I got it for traveling because it records from any source available on the unit, has a line input as well as voice mic, and a built in FM tuner, great for hearing world radio. The 320 does a lot more, but the only downside is that it will only record MP3 now, not WAVs. The old 120’s will do WAV as well, but MP3 at it’s highest quality (what is it, 320kbps and something…???) is pretty darn good for anything but professional needs. I like that everything is built in and it is much cheaper then an iPod.
The Neuros that Bang mentions gets good reviews as well, especially because of it’s flexibility and open-sourced nature and is the cheapest per GB of them all. I didn’t like it as much personally because of its large size.
If you’re mostly interested in recording check out some independant reviews first about all the units and then pick what you need. I haven’t heard as good of things about the Archos from friends who have purchased them in the past (they may be better now), but then some of their problems might be recitified by the independent Rockbox firmware.
You can get a nice mic on Ebay for fairly cheap. Most of my friends use Sony mics that they used to have on their minidiscs.
Hope this helps!
this ($80) is what i’m considering for probable use w/ a Neuros. there are others. i found a little info searching the Neuros forums, but Googling “mini disc mic pre amp” & similar would generate more.
enjoy! /dan
I mentioned on another thread that I use the Axim X5, but I thought that I’d expound on that a little bit. The X5 is a pocket computer. I have Word, Excel, can check e-mail, have all my addresses and phone numbers, can play amazing games, a metronome, a tuner. Basically, it does most things that a full size computer can do. Here’s one on e-bay that is like what I have: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38331&item=5749211303&rd=1
And here’s a recording from Saturday’s session that I made on it in mp3 format (the wav format is better, but it makes for bigger files). http://www.tullberg.com/test.mp3
I think that there is something to be said for having a stand alone recorder, but there is also something nice about having everything in one package… I can even EDIT the sound files on my Axim… and apply effects if I really wanted to.
Here’s one of their newer models that actually offers a line-in for mics. http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/axim_x50v?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs . I’d definately get this function if I were buying one today (they didn’t offer this when I was getting mine a couple years ago).
So, this gives another possiblity.
Erik
I thought that I should add, for those out there that already have a Pocket PC and aren’t sure how to get a decent recording, I use a program called Vito SoundExplorer. They are continually improving it, and it is a nice program.
it looks like the iriver is quite liked, and seeing as how I just bought my wife a 5gig (albeit nice looking) mini ipod for RMB 2400 ($300), the $300 price tag for a 20 gig machine that has the added benefits of line in and multiple data format store is not that bad.
Thanks again all, this really helped.
Matt in China
it looks like the iriver is quite liked, and seeing as how I just bought my wife a 5gig (albeit nice looking) mini ipod for RMB 2400 ($300), the $300 price tag for a 20 gig machine that has the added benefits of line in and multiple data format store is not that bad.
Thanks again all, this really helped.
Matt in China