Upgrading my recording equipment...

[perfect_pitch]

I'm currently thinking about upgrading from my old Zoom H2 recorder, and possibly going for either a Tascam DR-40, or maybe DR-100mkiii; or possibly for the Zoom H6.

I've attempted to get my hands on a tascam recorder to test, but had no luck. And yes, I've spent hours looking at reviews and trying to go for comparisons, but a lot of them don't have anything to do with the piano.

Anyone got any advice or info on the matter???

[visitor]

shop the seller , find one w very flexible returns and refunds terms and buy it try it out return for refund if doestn meet expectation , likely how I would do it

[perfect_pitch]

Mmm... they're a little picky with returns especially on good that cost several hundred dollars. Problem is - trying to find someone who sells them for a reasonable price in Australia is almost impossible. Will probably have to go the Amazon.com route if I want it.

[ted]

I have had a Zoom H2 for nine years and made similar enquiries recently. The shops all told me that no ground breaking changes had been made to digital recorders since then and that I might as well stick to what I have.

[perfect_pitch]

I get the following error, every time I try to upload an attachment. This is really pissing me off...

The attachments upload directory is not writable. Your attachment or avatar cannot be saved.

[ed palamar]

The Tascam 424 cassette is a nice machine.

[perfect_pitch]

The Tascam 424 cassette is a nice machine.

I'm going to be a responsible adult, and say thank you for contributing to the thread... and for a while I was contemplating with Tascam products... however I do aim to stick with the digital era equipment.

Also, I'm not sure about you, but I don't own a cassette player, and haven't owned one for about 20 years.

I've already purchased a Zoom H5. Seems to be quite nice.

[timothy42b]

Well, you already bought one, so this comment is too late.

But if you hadn't, I'd have suggested looking into the Zoom Q series rather than the H.  It's surprising how useful video can be.

If you're just going for better audio quality, then the H series can take input from external microphones, and that's probably the best way to go. 

[perfect_pitch]

I will admit, I know of the Q series, but I do like the idea of having my microphone placed exactly where I want, and being able to change my video recording angle.

Thanks for the good advice though.

[visitor]

I'm mad I missed out on the Sony mv1 , its discontinued but it's a great device so when new it was 299  and now vis third parties used and new old stock its more than double like 70p to 850ish... 

[Bob]

I've already purchased a Zoom H5. Seems to be quite nice.

What do you think of it?  Any advantages of something newer vs. ...ten years ago?  *Bob realizes his recorder is at least 10, maybe 15 years old now.*  12 years old, from 2006.  Geez.


https://www.zoom-na.com/products/field-video-recording/field-recording/zoom-h5-handy-recorder

https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H5-Four-Track-Portable-Recorder/dp/B00KCXMBES


This one looks a little on the bulky/bigger side, even if it's awesome. 

[perfect_pitch]

What do you think of it?  Any advantages of something newer vs. ...ten years ago?  *Bob realizes his recorder is at least 10, maybe 15 years old now.*  12 years old, from 2006. 

I'm about to give it a really good test tomorrow... but from what I've tested so far, treble is cleaner and less muffled, and the bass is more pronounced and it actually sounds more like a CD recording, rather than a tape recording.

Audio has more clarity and sounds much better and fuller. I'll maybe do some test recording tomorrow to let you hear.

The Zoom H2 is about 11 years old, and the Zoom H5 is only 4 years old. Definitely have come a long way with handheld recorders.

[perfect_pitch]

Well... I know it's been a while since I started this thread, but I've just done my first proper recording with the Zoom H5.

Let me know what you think. I'm still experimenting with position above the piano, but so far I seem to be far more impressed than my older Zoom H2.

[Bob]

(Like the performance... except the piece being on piano.    It just can't get the same oomph.)

Where was the mic?  It sounds slightly 'stuffy' somehow.


There are so many things impacting it though.  I could have/probably have crappy/less-than-on-par computer speakers or they weight things one way or the other, etc.

[ted]

An objective reaction is all but impossible Peter. I can say I would definitely not swap my H2 for your H5 on the basis of this recording. However, as Bob rightly says, there are many variables involved, among which are my own ears, what I like and what I am used to. If you consider the H5 superior, given more or less the same recording parameters, then it is superior for you.

[perfect_pitch]

I will admit - I had done a number of recordings using the H2 and the H5 but accidentally deleted them, thinking they were safe in another folder.

However, to me in my mind - it seemed that what was recording seemed a lot closer to the sound of the actual piano with the H5 than the H2.

Again, my opinion - but I am definitely glad I bought the H5.