MP3 recorders

eskin · Post by **eskin** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 4:37 pm

How about this new mp3 recorder from Yamaha:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sea ... 0020583305

Looks like a very useful device...

Pipey · Post by **Pipey** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 10:13 pm

Eskin, this looks pretty good -- price and features. Would you know if it accepts an external mic or would I have to rely on the built in one? Thanks again.

glauber · Post by **glauber** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 11:00 pm

That looks really cool. Hopefully it can take more than 32MB of memory.

No specs in that page and i'm too tired to search for them now

but you can see built in microphones and speakers in this picture:

eskin · Post by **eskin** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 8:14 am

It's SmartMedia based, so you can use up to 128 MB cards. The media is dirt cheap these days.

I believe that it has a 1/4" phone jack input for guitars, microphones, etc.

djm · Post by **djm** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 8:22 am

The page says it is Line in only, so not for mics. They seem to have designed this more for guitar than for singers or live session recording. For mics they only offer those two tiny built-in mics on the face of the dial.

djm

glauber · Post by **glauber** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 11:59 am

The built-in mics should work just fine, or you could get a preamped mike (but that adds $50-$100 to the price), or use a mixer, in case you have one.

Pipey · Post by **Pipey** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 4:39 pm

I have the Sony ECM MS907 based on Forum advice but with no Mic input I suppose its useless. Thanks.

eskin · Post by **eskin** » Fri Sep 17, 2004 5:20 pm

User manual is available for download in .pdf format in english from:
http://www.mp3rec.com/dl_data/SH01_EManual.pdf

It has an low level mono 1/4" jack input for plugging in instruments with pickups as well as the line-in stereo jack. Along with the level control it should allow you to use a non-amplfied microphone. Of course it would be limited to mono, I wouldn't plan on using this to make bootleg concert recordings, but for sessions, tune sucking, etc., it could be an excellent and useful piece of equipment. The overdubbing and effects are just bonuses IMHO.

Here's the inputs/outputs description from the manual:

LINE OUT/PHONES Jack
This miniature stereo jack can be used to
connect the output of the SH-01 to an audio
system, mixer, etc., or connect a pair of stereo
headphones for monitoring.

LINE IN Jack
This miniature stereo jack is used to connect
a line device such as a CD player, MD
player, etc., to the SH-01.

INST. Jack
This standard monaural jack can be used
to connect an electric instrument such as
an electric guitar, or a vocal microphone to
the SH-01. The instrument’s output level
can be adjusted with the GAIN switch @6.

GAIN Switch (HIGH/LOW)
Switches the gain of the internal microphone
and INST. jack

INTERNAL MIC Switch (ON/OFF)
Switches the built-in microphone ON/OFF.
* The internal speakers will not sound when
the INTERNAL MIC switch @7 is switched
ON, or when a plug is plugged into the
LINE OUT/PHONES jack @3.

PICKUP MIC Jack
This miniature monaural jack is used to connect
a condenser microphone (DC2V) to the
SH-01.
This is a powered jack that delivers a DC
2V to the pickup mic via the connected plug.
This jack allows the direct connection
of a Yamaha MC7 Wind Instrument
Pickup to the SH-01.

POWER Switch (ON/STANDBY)
This is the SH-01’s power switch.

DC IN (Power Adaptor) Jack
If you use the power adaptor (PA-3C) to
power the SH-01, connect it to this jack.

USB Port
This port is used to connect the SH-01 directly
to a computer. (→ page 16)

mukade · Post by **mukade** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 12:09 am

I hvae tried out one of those Yamaha Sound Sketchers here in Japan.

They are very nice. Good recording, and you can record multiple tracks at the touch of a button.

Mukade

GELivesay · Post by **GELivesay** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 9:01 am

I have been looking for something like the Yamaha as well. Pipey, if you can wait, I ordered one on Friday(Sept 17) from Musicians Friend and it should be at my house today or Tuesday. I will do a little technical write up for this thread.
If you want to PM me that would work too.

Pipey · Post by **Pipey** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 9:53 pm

Gary, thanks. Share it with all of us.

GELivesay · Post by **GELivesay** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 7:34 am

Ordered the SoundSketcher on Friday (9/17) and I received my unit on Tuesday (9/21), so just a few comments about the YAMAHA Soundsketcher.
I opened the box, pulled out the unit and the manual. I put in the 6 AA batteries (not included) and inserted the Smartmedia card (32MB included) into the slot on the left side. I did follow the instructions for a voice recording using internal mics but really I could have done it without reading them. The buttons are clearly marked, the control symbols are all easily recognizable and the thing works as advertised.

After I made a simple voice recording, I set the system settings the way I want to use the unit. I set the recording mode to MP3-64k to get the maximum recording time from the 32M Smartmedia Card and then I changed the display contrast and the effect setup.

Everything was quite straight forward and really easy to use. It is a little bit bigger than what I would like (~ 8” x 4.5” x 1.5”) but it is fairly well built and somewhat rugged so if it bangs around in my backpack, I do not think it will get beat up too bad. I did purchase the additional warranty for 3 yrs (~$16) so if something happens to it I can send it back to Musicians Friend music supply.

Overall, I think it’s going to do what I need it to do--- Record live at camps, music weekends and tionols, and I will not have to transfer/transcribe it to a digital audio format ‘cause it is already an MP3. The unit can be connected via line-in connector, instrument/ext. voice microphone connector and it has a pickup microphone connector where I plan on using my Sony condenser mic from my minidisk player.

I have not used the supplied software application yet so when I get it up and going I will write a blurb about it and how easy/not easy to use. If the software is like the hardware, it’ll be a breeze to use.

djm · Post by **djm** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 7:34 am

Gary, have you tried uploading to your PC yet? Any experiences to relate with this unit?

Thx,

djm

glauber · Post by **glauber** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 11:38 am

Deep thoughts from TDK to all digital recorders out there. Image courtesy of engrish.com.

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