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Thread: Low Cost Portable Audio Recorder as personal notebook

  1. #1
    String-Bending Heretic mandocrucian's Avatar
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    Default Low Cost Portable Audio Recorder as personal notebook

    Any recommendations for a low cost (under $50) portable digital audio recorder to replace a stone age cassette recorder?

    For use as a personal audio notebook. (I hate it when I'll play something (improv-ed) and I can't seem to find it again when I want to notate the idea onto paper.

    Thanks

    NH

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    Mangler of Tunes OneChordTrick's Avatar
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    Default Re: Low Cost Portable Audio Recorder as personal notebook

    Do you have a smartphone? Don’t know about Android but the “Voice Memo” app on an iPhone should be good enough for what you suggest.

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    Registered User Tom Haywood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Low Cost Portable Audio Recorder as personal notebook

    Android, free app called Audio Recorder.
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    Unfamous String Buster Beanzy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Low Cost Portable Audio Recorder as personal notebook

    HandyRec by Zoom is very simple and quick.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    I do have other software, but this one is pretty much poke & record so very quick, for on the fly stuff.
    Eoin



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    String-Bending Heretic mandocrucian's Avatar
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    Default Re: Low Cost Portable Audio Recorder as personal notebook

    No smart - cell phone. We still have a land line!

    Just interested in a cheap $25-50 standalone (hand alone) recorder unit. Don't know what the sonic fidelity of these things are; Lo-fi is acceptable, Med-Fi is better of course. Just need a simple recorder for capturing verbal or musical ideas.

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    Registered User foldedpath's Avatar
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    Default Re: Low Cost Portable Audio Recorder as personal notebook

    The least expensive portable/pocket stereo recorders are around $100. With a $25-$50 budget you're looking for something called a "Digital Voice Recorder" that records in mono. Sound fidelity won't be great, because these things are usually EQ'd for the vocal range, and they probably all have auto-gain, but it could work as a simple way to record and retrieve improv and tune ideas.

    Just do a search on Digital Voice Recorder on Amazon or your favorite retailer, and look for the usual brand names. Here's one example from Sony, you just plug it straight into a USB port on the computer to retrieve the files:

    https://www.amazon.com/Sony-ICDPX370...ation+recorder
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    Default Re: Low Cost Portable Audio Recorder as personal notebook

    let me suggest the following Free idea.

    Many people have old smart phones hanging around. they have pretty little financial value and I bet you get one from a friend for free.

    either Iphone or any android phone will have a free voice recorder. maybe there are other apps that would be helpful for your musical aspirations. some great applications on smartphones. Spotify, metronome, etc. good stuff!

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    music with whales Jim Nollman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Low Cost Portable Audio Recorder as personal notebook

    I often use an iPod to record music these days. So if you alread own one, (or a cell phone), get yourself a recording app of which there are many available. I recently decided to upgrade my iPad system by adding an external mic with a lightning connector. A bit better sound but nothing especially remarkable when compared to the basic iPad mic.
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    fishing with my mando darrylicshon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Low Cost Portable Audio Recorder as personal notebook

    You can find a zoom h2 used for atleast $50 it's easy to use and records good , I have one , but I don't use it much because I have the zoom q2n which has video
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    Registered User Michael Neverisky's Avatar
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    Default Re: Low Cost Portable Audio Recorder as personal notebook

    The Zoom H2 is a fabulous recorder, I still use mine. Only drawback, no speaker. I also still use my old Samsung S4 smartphone too, which has a speaker and camera as well. $50 each on Ebay.

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    Default Re: Low Cost Portable Audio Recorder as personal notebook

    I agree regarding the Zoom H2....if you can find a used one jump on it. Have used one for years now.

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    String-Bending Heretic mandocrucian's Avatar
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    Default Re: Low Cost Portable Audio Recorder as personal notebook

    Thanks for the input, folks!

    NH

  13. #13

    Default Re: Low Cost Portable Audio Recorder as personal notebook

    Just to add a product at the low end...

    I always carry, in a jacket pocket, a Sony ICD-UX70 to record ideas and music on the fly. There are more current models, but it is great for what I wanted: an everyday-carry recorder.
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    Default Re: Low Cost Portable Audio Recorder as personal notebook

    I still use my Sony Mini-Disc recorder! I like the Zoom H2 also!
    Here you go!
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Zoom-H2-Dig...e/232685863141

    We use the Olympus voice recorders at work:
    https://www.amazon.com/Olympus-VN-72.../dp/B005756GYM

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    Registered User Tom Haywood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Low Cost Portable Audio Recorder as personal notebook

    I searched Craigs List in Atlanta for cell phone, and found two used older androids listed for 20.00 and 25.00. Androids have a built in recording app and make pretty good recordings as a stand alone device, i.e. no need for phone service. In former lives, I used the top end dictation equipment and other cheaper hand held units. I think they are not worth the effort.
    Tom

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    Default Re: Low Cost Portable Audio Recorder as personal notebook

    Gunga......Gunga.....Gu-Lunga

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