Recorder for simple home recorded demos??

[spayne99]

I’d like to graduate from using iPhone ‘voice memos’ so I’m curious if anyone can recommend a simple multitrack recorder that can add a bit of reverb to the mix.

Something like a Tascam DP-04 or DP-06 but with the ability to add reverb. I don’t want to use computers/software and I don’t want to spend money on external mics.

Just want to record for my own enjoyment. Inspirations would be Springsteen’s Nebraska and the earlier home recorded Iron & Wine songs.

Gear is just me, a Martin 0-18, some basic percussive gadgets, and maybe I’ll add an electric guitar down the road.

[Neal Pert]

People rave about these things:

https://youtu.be/bIvcxd44kc0

I have two different things I use, either of which could be of interest.

The Shure MV88+ Video Kit is basically a mic that turns your phone into a pretty high quality audio or video recorder.

The Zoom LiveTraks are amazing little machines you can really grow with-- it's got an onboard recorder but it can also serve as a live mixer OR as an interface for your computer should you graduate to using Logic or whatever. I have the 12 and love it to death. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjiYr0l8aMQ

[Rudy4]

Not much more difficult than the old cassette recorders, the Zoom R-8 has a lot to offer.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...erface-sampler

It satisfies all your requirements plus has extra features like phantom power if you desire to use external microphones later. All you really need to multi-track is a good set of comfortable headphones.

These are presently listed at sale prices and don't go on sale often.

I have owned and used an R-24 for several years. The R series recorders work well and are easy to operate. Once you go through the short learning curve it's easy to select a "template" project you have set up with how you want to normally record and then save it as a new project. It's a simple matter to arm a track and record to your heart's content.

As Neal stated, the Zoom LiveTrak series are becoming popular. Here's a video that demonstrates simple multi-tracking on an L-8:

[Neal Pert]

Oh! And if you want something that really feels like the old Tascam machines but in a digital format, The Tascam DP-03 and DP-03SD cover that ground. I have a DP-03 that's literally been sitting in its box for years because I switched to using Logic, so let me know if you're interested. I'd definitely choose the LiveTrak over this thing, but some people like that older school feel.

[spayne99]

Thanks for the input. The Zoom H4N might be what I'm looking for. I'll spend some time reading up on it.

[NormanKliman]

Originally Posted by spayne99

Thanks for the input. The Zoom H4N might be what I'm looking for. I'll spend some time reading up on it.

Hi spayne,

Be aware that Windows 10 recognizes the H4n Pro but not the H4n. It's not a problem if you've got a computer that's running an older version of Windows, or if you have a sound system nearby (line out from headphone jack) or, I guess, if you don't have a computer. The H4n has a little built-in speaker, but headphones are going to be a better choice for checking what you've recorded.

If you have Windows 10, you can get around the problem by simply plugging the SD card into a card reader, if your computer has one.

[lkingston]

I have experimented with recording my “guitar-n-vocals” selfie videos all sorts of different ways. The best results have been just using my Zoom H6 with a decent mic for my vocals and my Schertler AG6/S-mic pickup for the guitar. I process the tracks on my iPad with Ferrite Pro and some Audio Units plugins.

For vocal, the two mics that I have had the best luck with are my Shure SM7B (with a FetHead), or my Audio Technica 4050ST.

[anton]

If you don't want to spend money on external mics and don't want to use a computer I think a good option is one of the stand alone recorders that comes with mics attached. I have the Zoom H6, it works well. It can multi track, though I am not sure about adding reverb. It comes with an XY mic attachment, and there are others you can buy as well.

Nice thing too is that it has 4 inputs/preamps for external mics, if you decide to go that route one day. Something like the Audio Technica 2020 is pretty versatile, and cheap as far as mics go.

If you use the Zoom only with its built mics you will probably have to move it around alot depending on what source you are recording. Just a thought that might disrupt the creative flow.

[nickv6]

Why not look at the Spire? It's the easiest thing to use and produces a terrific result.
Standalone or with a phone app linked.
Nick

[spayne99]

Originally Posted by nickv6

Why not look at the Spire? It's the easiest thing to use and produces a terrific result.
Standalone or with a phone app linked.
Nick

I actually was looking into this and thought it looked perfect, but they seem to be impossible to find right now. I might wait it out until if/when these become available again.

[nickv6]

Loads available here in UK and EU.
Could you order one from
https://www.thomann.de/gb/izotope_sp...UaAjdJEALw_wcB
Or
https://www.andertons.co.uk/izotope-...saAsXuEALw_wcB.
If they won't send PM me and you can have it sent to me in UK and I will send it on to you (as long as you pay the shipping ).
Nick

[Dave Hicks]

The Zoom R8, as mentioned, is pretty easy to use. It's hard to do much editing in the Zoom, but you can also use it as input to a DAW.

D.H.

[reeve21]

Hi spayne,

My needs and objectives are similar to yours.

I went through a similar process starting with the iPhone, then using a zoom h4n downloading the files to the audacity DAW on a desktop, then using the zoom as an interface (for its mics) into garage band.

All of this was too fiddly for my simple brain and modest needs.

I bought a decent usb mic and plug and play it into my iPad. The DAW I use is actually called "multitrack daw" and it works for me. Sounds as good or better than anything else I tried.

Best of luck.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by spayne99

I’d like to graduate from using iPhone ‘voice memos’ so I’m curious if anyone can recommend a simple multitrack recorder that can add a bit of reverb to the mix.

Something like a Tascam DP-04 or DP-06 but with the ability to add reverb. I don’t want to use computers/software and I don’t want to spend money on external mics.

Just want to record for my own enjoyment. Inspirations would be Springsteen’s Nebraska and the earlier home recorded Iron & Wine songs.

Gear is just me, a Martin 0-18, some basic percussive gadgets, and maybe I’ll add an electric guitar down the road.

If you don't upload the recording to a computer, how are you going to listen to it?

[dnf777]

I find the portable recorders (tascam dr-40 here) easy and good at capturing decent quality audio files. I find them tedious and not so good at effects, mixing, or multi-tracking, although many have those features. If I want to do that, I move to a daw-based system. I really liked the simplicity of the dr-05, but wanted the ability to add my own mics, which the -40 does nicely.