tech question for audio recorders

[echoyjeff222]

Does anyone know if this buzzing noise in the background is normal? I'm trying to figure out whether I need to ask for a replacement -- I'm using a Tascam DR-05

[quantum]

Record the ambient noise in the room, no music or intentional sound making.  Does the buzz still happen?

Record in WAV.  You will have to convert to mp3 to upload here, but set the device to capture the sound in an uncompressed format.  Listen to the wav file, does it still make the sound?

It could be a sympathetic vibration.  Place the recorder on a stable surface or tripod.  Alternatively place it on top of a pillow or something that would absorb any potential self-generating sympathetic vibration. 

Move the recorder farther from the piano.

Turn off "Peak Reduction".  The promo literature says it is not like auto gain, but I'd just keep it off.  Make manual adjustments to the gain, and do clip tests every time you change the level or move the recorder. 

[Bob]

Not sure if I'm hearing it.

I hear the thumping.  Is that the pedal or keys?

Piano needs a tuning.

In between pieces I hear some machine noise.   Tascam DR-05... $100?  You get what you pay for.  There's going to be some noise.  If you want more, load it in a sound editing program and amp it up.  You'll hear the noise better.  The best you can do is to record so the incoming audio is as high as possible without clipping.  This sounds like that already on this recording.  It doesn't sound clipped.  I did hear some weird clicking though on some notes, but I'm thinking it's the piano.

I guess it was a pause between sections.

Just record an empty room like quantum says.  Amp it up if you want later.  I hear the shhh white noise sound, plus a higher whistlely sound. 

Another idea -- Find some more recordings from a Tascam DR-05 by a real person like yourself.

I swear I hear an extra click or squeak after some of those notes....