Could I get your advice? Recording gear for school

SimplyLuo · #1 11-23-2010, 03:08 PM

I'm looking for gear that I can bring with me to school. At home, I record with a Sony ECM-MS957 plugged directly into a Canon GL1 camcorder (you can hear it on my YouTube). This has worked well, but I go to a boarding school and can't bring the camcorder with me, so I have nothing to plug the Sony mic into.
My parents have given me a budget of $400 to figure out what to do (they said they'll bump it up if I get accepted EA to college). I would like to continue using my Sony mic (1/8" input, battery powered) and also be able to get another mic down the line to use simultaneously. Maybe even an instrument input in case I ever start up electric guitar. The recorder needs to be somewhat portable, since I'll be walking it to the music center for recording. The dorm is too loud!
What do you think would work best for me?

Thank you,
Jon

stratt2828 · #2 11-23-2010, 03:25 PM

A Zoom H2, H4 or H4N would work if i'm not mistaken? You should Google them and see if the inputs would work for you. You may need an adapter (1/8" to 1/4"). I have the H4N but use a 1/4 mic input. There's an aux input on the Zoom but I'm not sure what it's capable of taking in. Good luck!

SimplyLuo · #3 11-23-2010, 09:12 PM

H4n looks pretty interesting, thanks! I think I read somewhere on the Zoom forum about an earthing problem, though. Something about there being noise when the AC adapter is plugged in
I'll try to find that thread
edit: found it http://2090.org/zoom/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=13122
this review mentions it too: http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/zoom-h4n-review.html
"While making our test samples, however, we noticed much more noise and hum when we used the included AC adapter. With AA batteries, much better. "

Is this much of a problem in your experience? Otherwise, the H4n sounds ideal for me

Herb Hunter · #4 11-25-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimplyLuo

H4n looks pretty interesting, thanks! I think I read somewhere on the Zoom forum about an earthing problem, though. Something about there being noise when the AC adapter is plugged in
I'll try to find that thread
edit: found it http://2090.org/zoom/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=13122
this review mentions it too: http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/zoom-h4n-review.html
"While making our test samples, however, we noticed much more noise and hum when we used the included AC adapter. With AA batteries, much better. "

Is this much of a problem in your experience? Otherwise, the H4n sounds ideal for me

I have a Zoom H4 and it does not have that problem. If it did prove to be a problem, one can always power it via the USB port by connecting to a laptop computer.