Best Portable Recorder For Acoustic Duo?
 

Hi Everyone,

I am looking for a small (possibly handheld) recorder to record gigs as an acoustic duo (guitar & vocals).

The setup we use is as follows:

Vocal PA w/2 cabs & powered sub.
Nylon & Steel strung acoustic guitars into Roland AC-60 "lined" into 1 (sometimes 2) channel(s) on PA.

I am new to this kind of thing and i just want something to record a reasonable quality "live" demo without spending huge amounts of money.

I have been looking at the Tascom DR-05 but I really don't know that much about what I really need so don't want to buy the wrong thing.

Any advice offerred would be greatly received.

TIA, Steve

As what was mentioned, the DR-05 would be fine for room sound. If you think you might want to connect external mics or lines, the DR-40, for a little more money would work as well.

I have a DR-05, and it would work for you, but be aware the capsules are omni and may not be the best choice if you want to focus more on the instruments and vocals. Don't worry about capturing "room sound", you'll have plenty using a recorder with cardiod mics.

Thanks everyone for your replies. So, (in theory at least) if I spent a little more and got the DR-40, I could also run a line into the recorder and blend the mic signal with the line?

I’m guessing the DR-05 is unable to do this?

Thanks again,

Steve

The DR-05 has a stereo mic input located between the two omni capsules. If a stereo 1/8" mini cable is plugged in then the internal mics are disabled and you can use an external signal. That can be from external microphones or even from a small mixer where multiple inputs can be combined.

For what you're trying to accomplish any of the small handheld recorders should work for you. The trick is getting an acceptable balance from voices and the instruments. That's why folks opt to use a recorder with multiple inputs and record vocals and instruments on separate tracks where they can be used in a DAW and edited to come up with a good end product.

Better results mean a lot more money, complexity, setup, signal monitoring, etc. Often the less expensive route proves to be acceptable.

I agree with Rudy4. You Tube has videos on the DR-05 and 40.
They might help to give an idea of the functions that might be best for you.

Any of the Zoom recorders ... I have an old Zoom H2 and it is easy to use and makes outstanding recordings in all kinds of formats

While it might seem reasonable to take a stereo mix off the PA, it rarely works out well. The method that worked best for me (in a similar situation) was to position my Zoom H2n in front of a main speaker, set either compression or limiter, and record. This gives me what the room hears.