iPod Nano Still Not a Recorder; Portable Recording Alternatives [Updated]
Yet another iPod . . . yet another iPod without real recording capability. (And no, adding a piece of hardware and then having to deal with low-resolution recording does not count.)
So while Nano is certainly deeply drool-worthy for listening, wouldn’t it be great to have an iPod-like device for recording? Here are some of your options:
Hack your iPod. iPodLinux unlocks full-resolution, uncompressed audio recording with no additional hardware; it works best with a line out plugged into the headphone port but mic recording works, too (though the signal winds up being on the weak side). Installation on Windows and Mac is easy; see links on their site. Bad news: many iPod models aren’t supported; my 3rd-gen iPod works great but 4G support and mini are still in the works — and forget about Nano.
Get an iKey and a hard drive. Gemini’s iKey recorder takes a line in input from RCA and records either MP3 or WAV to a USB key or hard drive. That makes it a good companion to an iPod Shuffle or Nano or, better yet, a high-capacity, full-blown iPod. Detailed specs now available from Gemini. And it’s got a clip indicator so you don’t screw up your recording. Bad news: The iKey could be great for someone whose only need is getting a line feed recorded, especially for extended recording sessions. But the thing is big and clunky (2 lbs, and about 5″ wide) and costly ($229 list) for something that really doesn’t do anything. It’s just a line in, USB out with buttons on it — no mic in, and no built-in storage. For the price, you could get an iPodLinux-compatible iPod, or save up for a real recorder. Speaking of which . . .
Get a decent CompactFlash recorder: This is really the best solution. There are a number of real recording devices that do accept mic input, even with mic pres / phantom power. My favorites of these are the Edirol R-1 and M-Audio MicroTrack (shown). The R-1 has lots of great extras, like a built-in stereo mic that sounds surprisingly good, mic effects, and metronome. The MicroTrack is more iPod-like in shape and has digital in (perfect for connecting to your audio interface.) Bad news: None, really, other than price — about $400 for the recorder, plus $100 for storage. But as opposed to the other routes, while this will cost you more, you’ll get a real serious recorder you can actually use. I’m still saving up for mine, but boy do I want one of those MicroTracks at my next gig.
Get Apple to Add Recording. This sure would be nice. Bad news: Outlook very, very poor.
Previous coverage: (and more details on these recorders)
Which Portable Recorder to Buy?
Gemini iKey Recorder: BYO Hard Drive
M-Audio MicroTrack Portable Recorder: Official, US$499.95
Edirol R-1, Tricked-Out Portable Recording
Korg D4 Compact Flash Four-Track USB Portable Recorder
Pro Digital Recorders with SMPTE Sync for Video Production
The “HD” MiniDisc - 1GB Recorders from Sony
Marantz PMD660 Portable Digital Recorder
Updated: Music thing joins the quest for recording alternatives, no matter how “cheap or ugly.” I’m game. And I’m on the lookout for a MicroTrack to test; stay tuned. Heck, if I get one, and you’re in the NYC area, we can test it on your band. -PK
Updated again: The Digital Music Weblog waxes poetic about an old Archos Jukebox Recorder . . . that’s gigantic and records MP3s, not lossless files. Hrmm, still not impressed. Who knew basic recording would prove to be an elusive technology?
25 Comments
Leave a CommentGuest
If you have a treo 600 or 650, you can get some _stellar_ audio recording using a free utility called “SoundRec”.
September 8, 2005 @ 3:36 pm
admin
Good point. Some equivalents for PocketPC, too. 2 GB SD is pricier than CompactFlash, but still not so bad — and cheaper than buying new gear.
September 8, 2005 @ 3:48 pm
Guest
Would like to know your thoughts if you have. Saw the Marantz 660 on a film shoot last week and it seemed pretty solid but the Preamps aren’t great. Was using an external mixer and sending it line level.
September 8, 2005 @ 4:08 pm
admin
Yeah, I agree — I want to try these out in person. I’m surprised about the Marantz, given their past rep (I’ve used plenty of their tape machines. . .)
But yes, let me see if I can get my hands on a MicroTrack. I expect they’re in demand . . .
I have heard nice recordings on the R-1, but made from the built-it electret condensor mics — those can be surprisingly good.
Peter
September 8, 2005 @ 4:15 pm
Guest
What brand and model is the stereo mic pictured in the photo? I’ve been looking for something like that for my field recordings. :?
September 9, 2005 @ 2:16 pm
reflex
Thanks, Peter, for yet another thought provoking post. I’m hunting for a decent (and affordable) field recorder to record sync sound while filming. And now, I’m off to check out iPod Linux, since I have a 3G iPod.
September 9, 2005 @ 3:56 pm
Guest
The Stereo Mic pictured is the one that comes with the microtrack. No one outside of M-Audio knows of its quality as of now. I use a Sony ECM-MS907 with my old portadat and it sounds awesome. There are many other options from Sony, I haven’t really tried other brands in small stereo Mics as I usually use my high end mics for other applications where I don’t need extreme portability. GOOD LUCK! Looking forward to seeing a Microtrack in action.
Mr. Random Advice
September 9, 2005 @ 8:15 pm
diskurs
Product Page
Voice Recording Yes
Line In Yes
Line Out Yes
Optical In Yes
Optical Out Yes
It supports Powered external Mics and works great.
September 10, 2005 @ 5:10 am
Guest
Can any of you who have a pocket PC recording setup point me to links of recordings? what models are good? I wonder if the Nokia 770 will have any recording capability in the future. Looks cool.
September 10, 2005 @ 7:21 am
Guest
First the original creative juke boxes (the first hard disk MP3 player I owned way before the ipod) could record full quality wav files. The current leader is the iriver who do a hard disk based portable player that accepts a stereo mic input. We use it to record our band’s practice sessions and it works great!
September 12, 2005 @ 3:20 am
Guest
If so sign me up! What model do you use?
September 12, 2005 @ 8:49 am
diskurs
we use the iRiver h120 for Radio Production of our correspondants. And unwired out of house filetransfer. Cause it works great as external harddrive too. So
mac use not a problem, cause it uses common standards usb 2.0 and works as mass storage device.
iriver Page click for detailed spec
faq on iriver and mac
September 12, 2005 @ 2:30 pm
Guest
Check out the HHB website news.
http://www.hhb.co.uk/hhb/usa/index.asp
It’s a mic with a built in flash recorder. Won’t be available for a while and looks more suited to reporters than musicians. Kind of cool anyway. Wonder how much they’re gonna ask fo it?!!
September 12, 2005 @ 3:08 pm
Guest
I’ve got it here right now & it’s charging for the first time… ;)
September 16, 2005 @ 4:09 pm
Guest
I’ve used my Creative Nomad a number of times over the years for recording and it does a great job. Plus, it’ll record to WAV files instead of MP3.
I bought a Sound Professionals mic and mic preamp, which sounds simply awesome and works wonderfully with the Nomad. I’ve currently got 60 gigs in the Nomad which gives me, like, a million hours or something.
Downside: the Nomad has crappy battery life, so unless you’ll be able to plug-in, you’ve got to keep an eye on the battery while you’re recording.
… Ryan (www.laze.net)
September 16, 2005 @ 4:37 pm
Guest
The “iaudio U2″ (1GB) is the least expensive high quality recorder. At only $129 it records in 192kbps and encodes to mp3 format at the same time! It has a stereo line-in, USB, and mp3 functions. The best part is that U can change the record level (a feature that many voice recorders overlook). The U2 has also been rated #1 small mp3 player by CNET.com
September 25, 2005 @ 3:05 pm
Guest
Core Audio has a supposedly pro-quality recorder controlled by a PDA called PDAudio.
Core Audio does the best review of the MicroTrack that I’ve seen so far.
Cheers,
Kevin
The Nettles
October 7, 2005 @ 6:25 pm
Guest
How embarrassing, I bollixed up the links. Let’s try that again:
Core Audio has a supposedly pro-quality recorder controlled by a PDA called PDAudio.
Core Audio does the best review of the MicroTrack that I’ve seen so far.
Cheers,
Kevin
The Nettles
October 7, 2005 @ 6:35 pm
Guest
Any recommendations on how to record aduio from a small acoustic set using a laptop with XP Pro?
I would like to buy/rent a mic, since this is a one time thing. If I have to buy a mic, so be it. Also, suggestions on software to record and edit?
October 11, 2005 @ 4:29 pm
Guest
some of you definitly do not understand what the iKEY can do. I highly suggest a conversation take place with the designer, engineer or a sales personal at Gemini headquarters in Edison, NJ… http://www.geminidj.com
October 13, 2005 @ 11:36 pm
Guest
Now that the iPod (video) seems to support “CD-quality” (44.1kHz stereo), could someone review the iPod as a recorder?
October 15, 2005 @ 10:30 am
Guest
is there an input adapter? or what!?
October 16, 2005 @ 9:33 am
Alexander Wright
I’ve got mac 10.2.8 and want a small recording device which is no fuss, also interested in editing / mixing and producing. Any advice?
I’m more into music than computers.
October 20, 2006 @ 7:12 am
Aeroffdadia
Cheers! Help me please) where i can find a text about domastic animales. what advise can you give me? I’m Waiting for your help. Thanks for attention!
_________________
| cialias levitra vs |
October 10, 2008 @ 5:00 am
frerwaybramma
peScific rTustFundsof the Basrd of POensions that assures adhernece to teh Wors nad Sacrament and elder in numbsfx as haerrly equal as baptizex as a hcild,the session shall equip and uspporr the parent(s)
http://mail.ru
mail.ru
December 5, 2008 @ 6:55 pm
Leave a comment
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI