Compact Digital Recorders?

[lemonstar]

I'm hoping for the announcement of some new or updated products - there are limitations with all the compact recorders that have put me off buying for a while - I'm hoping the Boss BR-600 will get updated or that there will be a new model with a bigger compact flash capability and USB 2.0, for instance.

Does anyone have any idea yet about any new compact digital recording gear?

[SingLoco]

Yes, there's that new iCapture device that is coming out.
You can record anything directly onto your ipod, apparently it has high quality sound too.

The price hasnt been announced at this point tho.

[lemonstar]

I found this announcement at:-
http://mud.namm.musicradar.com/press-releases/zoom-h4n-is-next-gen-portable-recorder/

"Zoom H4n is next-gen portable recorder
brogerson / Blog / Wed 7th Jan 2009 11:41 am UTC

Zoom is all set to launch the H4n, which it describes as its “most sophisticated handheld recorder to date”. This is an evolution of the H4 and H2, and offers a number of new features and improvements.

The built-in X/Y condenser mics allow variable recording patterns at either 90° or 120°, and there’s a digitally controlled mic preamp on board. Internal and external mics can be used simultaneously for 4-channel recording.

Additionally, there are Hi-Z inputs for recording guitar and bass, the option to play back at different speeds, built-in studio effects and 50+ guitar and bass amp modelling settings.

You’ll also find a large LCD screen, what’s said to be a more intuitive interface and an onboard reference speaker.

The H4n can record at 24-bit/96kHz quality and on SD/SDHC cards of up to 32GB capacity. Its said to be a robust device (there’s a rubberised shock-resistant body), while a new ’stamina mode’ promises 10 hours of continuous recording on a single set of AA batteries.

Bundled with the recorder are a 1GB SD card, windscreen, mic clip adapter, AC adapter, USB cable, case and a copy of Cubase LE. A remote control is an optional extra.

The H4n will be showcased at CES in Las Vegas this week and at the Winter NAMM show next. The price is expected to be around $500"

The small LCD screen really put me off the existing H4 device.

[MikeRivers]

I had just a peek at the H4n at CES. I hadn't seen their booth until I was doing a final walkthrough of the upstairs South Hall (which I hit the end of the first day I was there when I was very tired) and the Samson folks were busy packing up as I stumbled (literally) by their booth. Mark the Marketing Guy showed me the box, but the recorders were already packed away.

I'll get more details at NAMM, but chances are the summary posted here pretty much tells the story.

[BuleriaChk]

I would be very happy if Boss would just update the BR-600 to Version 2 like the BR-900CD.

AND an editor for the GT-10 (even with the two excellent versions from Gumtown and GTEditor)....

I'm hoping for the announcement of some new or updated products - there are limitations with all the compact recorders that have put me off buying for a while - I'm hoping the Boss BR-600 will get updated or that there will be a new model with a bigger compact flash capability and USB 2.0, for instance.

Does anyone have any idea yet about any new compact digital recording gear?

[lemonstar]

It doesn't look like there is anything new from Boss or Fostex to compete with something like the BR-600. Tascam have a couple of new compact handheld recorders but the Zoom H4n (n for next) was at the CES 2009 show:-

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-19167_1-10139655-100.html
which links to some good photos here:-
http://ces.cnet.com/2300-19506_1-10000185-9.html?s=0&o=10000185

[MikeRivers]

The user interface on the Zoom H4n is a vast improvement over the original model. Bigger screen, more sensible menus, and no wobbly buttons. The mic arrangement is different (probably the mics are, too) and you now have a selection between a 90 degree and 120 degree stereo width, similar to the H2. All in all, it looks like a big improvement. It has more flexibility as a 4-track recorder as you can use both the internal mics and external mic or line/instrument inputs simultaneously.

TASCAM has two new compact recorders, the upscale DR-100 and the downscale DR-07. The DR-100 offers XLR external mic inputs and it has a real hefty feel. I don't know where it sits in terms of performance quality but in a very general sense, I'd compare it to the Sony PCM-D50 where the Sony is oriented toward the general audio recordist and the TASCAM is oriented toward the professional musician.

Alesis' "shell" for the iPod is now shipping. Since it records to the iPod's internal disk drive, it offers much greater recording time than any of the flash memory recorders, in a similar form factor.

[StompboxMan]

The iProRecorder from Bias for $4.99 at the Itunes Store turns your iPhone or iPod into a digital recorder. :thu:

http://www.iprorecorder.com/

[MudFlaps-1]

I'm really interested in something like the Boss BR-600. The thing that puts me off is that later reviews say it is hard to find the 1GB SD cards nowadays, let alone compatible ones. The BR-600 has a USB port. They should just update the software so that you can plug a USB thumb drive into the USB port, or an external USB hard drive, for all the storage you could desire. You'll have much more than 1GB. I'd also like to see the pitch correction and harmony generator put onto the BR-600 too, but I can see why they left it off the lower end and put it on the higher end.
In this day and age, it's becoming less of an issue to have an onboard CD burner.

[henry b]

I'm really interested in something like the Boss BR-600. The thing that puts me off is that later reviews say it is hard to find the 1GB SD cards nowadays, let alone compatible ones. The BR-600 has a USB port. They should just update the software so that you can plug a USB thumb drive into the USB port, or an external USB hard drive, for all the storage you could desire. You'll have much more than 1GB. I'd also like to see the pitch correction and harmony generator put onto the BR-600 too, but I can see why they left it off the lower end and put it on the higher end.
In this day and age, it's becoming less of an issue to have an onboard CD burner.

Do you mean CF cards.