I’m looking for some advice on upgrading my recording setup. I’ve had a Tascam DR-05 for about 10 years now and have used it for recording just about every piece of music I’ve made for that span of time. Although I still love it, it’s gotten a bit less reliable, as very occasionally now I get some nasty digital artifacts in recordings (haven’t been able to find a cause since it’s so sporadic, and never shows up in the monitor audio).
Typically for recording, I’d only have 2 or 3 devices going at once, and I’d figure out a way to run the output of one synth into another and mix things on the spot. I’m not usually trying to record things to release or even “finish”, I just like to record ideas and jams.
I also use the Tascam’s condenser mics for recording acoustic guitar pretty often.
I’ve been looking at the Zoom R4, as well as the H1n and H1 essential. The R4 has the bonus of being able to multitrack / bounce tracks without ever touching the computer, although I doubt I’ll use that capability very much. It’s also only got a mono mic. The H1 essential looks quite nice for the money. But my understanding is that the 32-bit float recordings necessitate using Audacity or other editors before you can get a regular audio file out.
My last consideration is that I’m lately spending all of my music time on the Syntakt and I likely will be for the near future. I know it outputs USB audio and I considered just using my phone (android) or buying a used iPad for USB audio (and if I need to record other stuff, I can run it through the ST as an audio interface). I just don’t know how “immediate” or convenient it would be comparatively.
Hoping a few of you might chime in and give your opinion on the recording options in this space
I’m recording DT2 and ST via a USB-B to USB-C cable, works a charm.
Regarding the 32bit recordings: what would you ever need that dynamic range for? 16bit is fine, 24 is nice to have a lot of headroom. More is esoteric.
I use a Zoom H5 for this. It’s a pretty clunky workflow but I find it can be focusing to go with it. It lets you build up a track layer by layer and bounce between each successful take. It’s a good mix of getting a good or good enough take and then moving on. The bouncing downs helps you to commit but you actually still retain each take in its own file.
I imagine the newer R4 or H4 both let you do something similar.
But if it’s just an end of chain stereo recording you want then I would go with whatever is most convenient for putting that recording to use later on. If you just want to listen back for your own enjoyment then recording to your phone makes the most sense.
It means you never have to set input levels, and you can never clip a recording.
To the OP: I find I often just use my iPhone to make field recordings. The mics are surprisingly decent. Hooking it up to the ST for recording is a good idea too. The extra steps required to launch an app etc are canceled out by not having to transfer recordings later from a recording device.
The Zoom R4 is cheap and as you say bounces down if you need more track space. So you get an 8 track recorder. Thats usually more than enough. Built to last.
The Tascam Portacapture X6 seems like another decent option. Most of the handheld recorders these days should be more than good enough for your needs.
32bit float is really nice to have if you do a lot of recording of unpredictable or dynamic acoustic sources, if you’re just recording line level gear that you’ve gain staged it’s not really that necessary, still nice to have as an option though. Dealing with 32bit float files is very simple, just normalise in an audio editor then export as a 24-bit file, if you need to that is, most DAWs should be able to use 32bit float files without issue.
Thanks, I’m definitely gonna try since it’s a nearly-free option
Sounds good, and I don’t mind a bit of clunkiness. I’ll keep it in mind.
Yes, I’ve been tempted by it. I really like the physical faders, not necessarily for any practical reason other than liking faders
Woah, somehow had never seen this model! Looks great to me, like a beefed up version of the 05. Strong contender.
It’s been my hunch as well that it’s caused by the MicroSD card interface. As for swapping, I have tried it with a brand new card, and still occasionally getting loud digital artifacts at the beginning of a recording (they persist about 1 minute into the recording and then stop). It’s very rare, only happens about 1 out of 30 or 40 times I record.
For the moment, I’m gonna give recording through my phone a try and see how I feel about it. Thanks all for your responses, it’s very helpful
Artifacts, these devices aren’t electrically shielded very well so they capture mobile phone interference easily so that may be what it is picking up.
I upgraded to a mixpre3 that does 32bit and it’s a great feature but also another hassle and workflow issue so I rarely use it.
The Syntakt direct to usb I think is really your best option, I don’t think you need an additional recorder, just pop your phone on flight mode when you’re recording on the tascam to be safe, and if you go the usb phone route too, stick them on flight as well so no one rings you whilst you’re jamming!.
I know no one has mentioned it since the OP, but wanted to add one downvote for the H1n. It sounds good and is super affordable, but I don’t like using it to record line-level signals because it’s possible to (analog?) clip the inputs without seeing it on the meters. As in, it looks like you aren’t clipping, but you totally are.
I’m very happy of my Zoom F3. The fact it’s is a small cube and do not have integrated microphone is a good thing for me. I record synth, jams, or I can connect the right microphone for the job - mono, stereo, omni, place them where you want…
The fact is 32 bit float is also a good thing, you can’t screw things because you recorded too low or too high.
Post processing from 32 bit float is very easy.
I have a Tascam X8 and a Zoom H6. whenever I want to record just my syntakt or Digitakt (which means I’m away from studio desk and are not recording into DAW or Bluebox) I record with my phone. It’s by far the easiest and most immediate option. Don’t have to deal with clunky audio cables and power issues. 32 float recording is nice for field recording but overkill for music (IMHO). I have never had an issue with my phone recordings clipping.
Correct.
Takes a regular SD card. Regular sized cables, no minijack nonsense. Loads of cool features, lightening fast boot up time, saves settings on power off. Up to 4 tracks individual recording, can do overdubs, bounce downs. Has eq, limiter. You name it.
None of that rubberised melting gunk they coat other recorders with.
Its really easy to use as well.
When I need to record audio without a computer, my best option is the smartphone. There are countless apps on the market (stereo or multitrack) to choose. when I want to record vocals, I have a set of 2 bluetooth microphones with clips to attach to the shirt. When I want to record audio from the mixer, I carry a small audio interface with me (OTG connection). Note: the Digitakt is class compliant, so it connects USB directly to the smartphone, no need for audio interface.
