Pocket Flash Recorders
My favorite go-to device for Music Educators would have to be the digital flash recorder. Why? Because the learning curve is so easy, even though they are incredibly powerful machines. The cost is relatively low, and because they are instantly useful, and they work so well!
Digital flash recorders often have built in condenser microphones, can run on batteries or AC, and sound GREAT. Some have a lot more bells and whistles than others. Recently I was asked which kind I recommend. Current models available include the Edirol R-9, Zoom H2 and H4, and the M-Audio Microtrak II.
All of the pocket digital recorders out there are really great machines, to be honest. The Edirols use a 1/8″ stereo mini-plug for external mics, where the M-Audio Microtrack uses separate 1/4″ plugs for each channel, so both would require some sort of XLR converter. I like the fact that the mics are truly built in for the Zoom and the Edirol. Nothing to forget when recording last minute! Some models you have to plug an included stereo mic in before recording live, dynamic audio (the Microtrak comes to mind). Honestly, if you were to ask me what I recommend, I would go with the Zoom H2 or H4. They’re cheaper than both the Edirol and the Microtrack, but still sound great. You don’t need these recorders if you are trying to put out an audiophile recording against the best from Deutsche Grammaphon or Dorian, but for just about anything less, they are perfect!
Hope that helps!
September 18th, 2008 at 8:40 am
The Zoom H2 is a great learning tool. I record all my jazz gigs on it. Even though I’ve been performing professionally for over 40 years, I still learn from listening to my performances.
I also post sound clips from the gigs on my gig journals. These gig journals are a great resource for developing players who want to get a sense of what it’s like to perform professionally.
Two gig journals with H2 sound clips:
http://www.frogstoryrecords.com/gig_journal_jonathans_2008.html
http://www.frogstoryrecords.com/gig_journal_powow_2008.html
Students can learn a lot by recording their practice sessions, rehearsals, jams, and performances.
Steve
October 8th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I have been using the H2 with my kids at Queen Anne’s County H.S. on the Eastern Shore of MD for a year now. It has worked wonderful in many different environments from outside on the Marching Band practice field to inside in the auditorium, school lobby, and of course in the Band Room. I use it a lot as we near a concert to record the kids playing the concert selections. Then we listen to what we have just done to do a self and group evaluation to make sure that there isn’t anything that we may or may not be doing that could help make the performance better. I have also used it a couple times at a booster meeting when the secretary was unable to attend. Once the meeting was over, I e-mailed the .mp3 file of the meeting to them and that way they were able to then create the minutes for that meeting. It has been one of the best investments that I have made to date for my program.