Studio in Your Pocket

Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Geary Yelton

STEREO DIGITAL RECORDERS ARE MORE PORTABLE AND AFFORDABLE THAN EVER

ZOOM H2

The H2 ($199) is not only the least expensive recorder in this roundup, but it's also the only one with four mic capsules onboard, offering 4-channel in addition to stereo recording (see Fig. 8). The H2 runs off two AA batteries or the included AC adapter, and like the Tascam, it has a tuner and metronome built right in. It records 16- and 24-bit WAV files at sampling rates up to 96 kHz and MP3 files at bit rates up to 320 Kbps, and stores its data on an SD card (a 512 MB card is included).

The H2 is lightweight and easy to operate with one hand. Its green backlit LCD is as small as the OLED on the Marantz or Edirol recorders, but not quite as sharp. During recording, it displays the input level, elapsed and remaining time, file type, and so on. You maneuver the file and menu hierarchy using seven raised membrane-switch buttons on the front panel. A dedicated button displays the well-organized menu; use the Fast Forward and Rewind buttons to scroll through menus and the Record button to make selections.

Because the H2 has no dedicated record-level knob or buttons, you adjust the input level by selecting one of three Mic Gain switch settings, pressing Record to put the H2 in record-ready standby, and then using Fast Forward and Rewind to raise and lower the level. Pressing Record a second time begins recording. Pressing Play/Pause while recording drops markers, and pressing Record a third time stops recording. A menu selection enables a short prerecord buffer (1 to 2 seconds, depending on sampling rate) — enough to capture the beginning of sounds that might otherwise be missed. To loop playback, you can open an AB Repeat display and set start and end points.

The front mics are fixed at a 90-degree relative angle, and the rear mics are 120 degrees apart. Put them all together for 4-channel recording, and you get a 360-degree pattern. Two of the front-panel buttons scroll through four mic-pattern choices. You can plug an external stereo mic into the Mic In minijack (which offers switchable plug-in power), but if you want 4-channel recording, you'll need to use the internal mics. A separate stereo minijack handles line-level input. The only output is the stereo Phones/Line Out minijack.

When recording 4-channel audio, the H2 creates two stereo WAV files. Although you'll see four level meters in the display, you control input level for all four channels simultaneously. A nifty graphic image in the LCD lets you adjust 4-channel panning using the four buttons encircling Record as cursor keys.

The H2's AGC is paired with a compressor and a limiter; not only does it let you specify thresholds for automatically starting and stopping record mode, but it also furnishes eight presets (Speech, Concert, and so on) that apply to various situations.

Your computer won't recognize the H2 as soon as they're linked. After connecting their USB ports, you must select whether you want to access the contents of the SD card or use the H2 as a USB microphone or audio interface (an unexpected bonus). Only then does the H2 mount on your desktop. After ejecting the H2 from your desktop, you press the Menu button to regain local control.

OBSERVATIONS, CONTRASTS, AND COMPARISONS

I can easily recommend any of the recorders in this roundup. My personal favorites are the Sony PCM-D50 and the Olympus LS-10, but several others come very close. The Sony offers the most well-rounded set of features for audio professionals. It's also the largest and heaviest, but at less than 13 ounces with batteries, it's still lighter than my digital camera. You'll find many of the same features in the Olympus, and it's quite small and light. I really appreciated its on-the-go portability and ease of use; it also offers tremendous bang for the buck.

Although the Korg has by far the best sound quality and the most onboard storage, it costs more than the others. It also has the shortest battery life without an external power supply. The M-Audio is the only one offering balanced inputs, 48V phantom power, and S/PDIF I/O on RCA jacks, but replacing the battery requires returning it to the factory. Nothing captures sounds faster than the Marantz thanks to its speedy startup and recording presets; its user interface takes some getting used to, however, and it tops out at 48 kHz. If you're a musician who wants a compact recorder for learning songs, the Tascam delivers features the others can't touch, but again, 48 kHz is its top sampling rate. The Edirol offers easy one-handed operation and some pro features, but its construction is less than robust. The Zoom is the most cost-effective choice available for recording in surround.

All of the recorders surveyed here have certain features in common, of course. Most have built-in mics, and they all have minijacks and exchange data with your computer via a mini USB port. Each has a menu-driven user interface and lets you quickly access recordings by organizing files into folders. All have switches that prevent you from accidentally turning the power on or off, and they power down after a period of nonuse.

I was surprised at how many approaches different manufacturers have taken to designing pocket-size recorders. Feature sets and user interfaces are quite diverse, and finding the one that suits you best means you should familiarize yourself with several. Each has its niche and its advantages. Nonetheless, I feel confident that at least one of them is exactly what you need.

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Before becoming an EM editor, Geary Yelton directed the MIDI production suites at three major Atlanta recording studios. He now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina.

YAMAHA POCKETRAK 2G

Announced but not shipping in time to be evaluated for this article, Yamaha's new Pocketrak 2G ($349) is the slimmest and lightest pro-quality recorder yet — half an inch thick and less than 2 ounces (see Fig. A). Its WAV file recording is strictly CD quality (16-bit, 44.1 kHz), but it also records MP3 files and plays WMA files. Its 2 GB of internal memory can hold more than 3 hours of PCM audio, and the included rechargeable AAA battery delivers as much as 19 hours of MP3 record time. The recorder connects directly to your computer's USB port for transferring audio data and charging the battery. With features such as a tilting stereo mic, a built-in speaker, a retractable USB plug, and variable-speed playback, the Pocketrak 2G offers portability in the extreme.

MANUFACTURER CONTACTS

EDIROL

KORG

MARANTZ

M-AUDIO

OLYMPUS

SONY

TASCAM

YAMAHA

ZOOM