How good are Tascam Recorders? Olympus?

[cke]

I hear a great great deal here about the Zoom recorders. What about the others? Like Tascam? Olympus? I want high fidelity, but have no experience since the reel-reel days (well maybe cassettes).

Advise?

[z-clay]

I've used Tascam decks before with good results but Nakamichi is the best IMO.

[Michael T]

I use a Edirol 09HR for my portable, I really like the remote and it has 2 of the higher rated condenser mics available.

[WileE]

For what it's worth, I have a Tascam DR-07 that I use for various purposes. I got it with a gift certificate for Christmas from a store that does not sell the Zoom recorders. It is very easy to use, records well, records in WAV and MP3 formats, and stores directly to SD cards (with a door that hasn't broken yet).  I could see that a remote would be very handy though.

[kennyburk]

Olympus i reckon, just my 2 cents mine has served me well :-)

[Ngerty]

I just got a Tascam DR-08 today. I ordered it from Samash.com for about $150. I am amazed at the quality of the recordings. I have no experience with the other brands, but this things is super small, easy to use, and records my guitar really well (better than the actual microphone I usually use, in my opinion). Then I just plugged it into my laptop and dragged all the files into iTunes. It's really great and I'm glad I got it.

[Skyver]

I have a Boss BR600 recorder. In my opinion, the quality of the recordings it makes is very good.

[darkbar]

I use the Zoom Q3 cos the mics are the same as their H4 but you also can get video (you can choose audio only or audio and video).
Here are examples....  http://www.youtube.com/user/acoustisongs

[cke]

I use the Zoom Q3 cos the mics are the same as their H4 but you also can get video (you can choose audio only or audio and video).
Here are examples....  http://www.youtube.com/user/acoustisongs

Nice work!   How did you get the balance and 'echo'?

[cke]

I ended up choosing a Zoom H2. Just getting acquainted with it, but seems to be just what I was looking for. Versatile, good quality at a low price.

Now my problem:
I sound terrible! I hate hearing myself

So my choices:

1. I can use it to get my groove back as much as possible.

2. I can throw away the recorder so I can pretend I play and sound fine.

3. I can chuck all my guitars off a bridge and never play again.

So what to do? 

[L07 Shooting Star]

Hey CKE, I can identify with you about listening to yourself.  It can be very discouraging, sometimes.  However, we are our worst critics and most listeners don't focus on little mistakes or whatever, they just mostly enjoy the music.  EDITED :*I say, go for #1* (oops, I said #2 the first time, do'h) and use your new recorder to help you improve any little things you don't like hearing.

That's what I've been doing with my Zoom Q3 I bought just over a week ago.  It can really be a helpful tool.  For example, I made my first YouTube submission with it.  I recorded myself playing a song that I must have played at least 500 times before.  You would think I could play it in my sleep.  Would you believe once actually seeing and hearing myself, I did 11 takes before I was satisfied enough to post it.  And even then, it's not really that good of a performance.

I guess I'm saying, don't be negative and discouraged.  Be positive instead, and take advantage of your new tool to help you learn from your mistakes.

Good luck,

Kurt

[cke]

Hey CKE, I can identify with you about listening to yourself.  It can be very discouraging, sometimes.  However, we are our worst critics and most listeners don't focus on little mistakes or whatever, they just mostly enjoy the music.  EDITED :*I say, go for #1* (oops, I said #2 the first time, do'h) and use your new recorder to help you improve any little things you don't like hearing.

That's what I've been doing with my Zoom Q3 I bought just over a week ago.  It can really be a helpful tool.  For example, I made my first YouTube submission with it.  I recorded myself playing a song that I must have played at least 500 times before.  You would think I could play it in my sleep.  Would you believe once actually seeing and hearing myself, I did 11 takes before I was satisfied enough to post it.  And even then, it's not really that good of a performance.

I guess I'm saying, don't be negative and discouraged.  Be positive instead, and take advantage of your new tool to help you learn from your mistakes.

Good luck,

Kurt

Thanks, Kurt. Of course I was  (half) joking 

It has been DECADES since I was serious about guitar and the folkie stuff  I like to perform. While option 1. is my best choice, I find I get really nervous when the recorder is on.  Voice tightens and my hands get clumsy.  I think your right. Keep practicing with the recorder until I break through.

Thanks for the encouragement 

[L07 Shooting Star]

If it's any consolation, seems like you and I are alot alike in terms of our recent re-discovery of our guitar playing interest, roots, etc.  And we are damned good at it when it comes right down to it.  I didn't play or improve much for years and years, although I've had the odd period where I've been in bands or whatever and re-kindled my interest and skills.  Since I retired 2 years ago, I've decided I'm going to become a better player by hook or by crook.  You're never too old, I say.  If Keith Richards, Jeff Beck, John Mayall, et al can do it so can we!

By the way, we are almost exactly the same age.  (I took a look at your profile). 

Rock on, Kurt

[Greg Curtis]

I have a Tascam DP-02CF that records my L03R & keyboards just fine. Easy to use & bounce tracks & recording quality is great.

[Reney..]

i have no experiences using tascam or olympus, but why didn't you try zoom's product? i have Q3 and H4N (used to). their all offering the best sound quality and easy to use. just opinion 

[rvf263]

I ended up choosing a Zoom H2. Just getting acquainted with it, but seems to be just what I was looking for. Versatile, good quality at a low price.

Great choice!
I had a H2 and loved it. Great price, quality sound. It's really hard to beat. I recently sold mine though only to help finance another piece of gear. I'll definately be picking one of these up again though.

[gfeke200]

I have a Sony PCM D50.  Bought mainly so playback could be slowed down and it of course accepts memory sticks.

[venturahome]

Hey CKE, your post reminded me of a story I think of often -- I remember Linda Ronstadt saying in an interview that she never listened to her recordings because she thought she sounded so bad. Now she got pretty rich and famous because others think she sounded pretty great, so I say keep on and enjoy! But if you do decide to throw away the guitars, call me instead and I'll come get 'em.
Mike (in Ventura if you want to deliver them to me!)

[CJ]

Guess I have a bit of the "red light" phobia ... I can be in the groove, sounding and playing well, then turn on the recorder and panic sets in and within a dozen bars, I'm serving up more clams than Ivar's.

When I first started recording, I was using a Roland VS-840, playing to a click track or some background tracks through the cans. I'd lay down the guitar and vox as many times as I had v.tracks - 8 typically. Then critically listen to all the tracks and choose the best. Invariably, the 'best' came from the 6th, 7th or 8th take. Sometimes I've wondered if I ought to just play the song through a half dozen times before even turning on the recorder?

Finally I've figured that recording, for me at least, is a buzz (groove) kill - if only for the heightened awareness of every nuance of the performance and the paranoia it incites in me. So I've determined if I ever record another CD project, it will be with a Zoom H2 or maybe my DAW and a couple condensers and LD mic - live - and not bother with all that multitracking junk. And who cares if there's a mistake or 2 - at least if I do it that way, it's honestly me - as I can't get through a song without a clam or 2 ...

I've also thought perhaps I ought to just leave the mixer/recorder board to someone else.



About that, when I was a teen, I had dreams of being another Chet Atkins and had absolutely NO intention of singing - that was for girls and sissies as far as I was concerned. Yet the day came that I was in a pit band for a traveling song and dance group and I wound up writing a song. Wracking my brains on who could sing the song while I accompanied them, my dad asked me to sing it for him - opposite him on the sofa. He had bought a Philips table-top cassette recorder and hid it behind a cushion while I sang. Playing it back for me, he tried to convince me I had a nice voice but I wasn't buying it. Then I played the song for the director of the group, privately and suggested someone to sing it. The director said "No. Louis is NOT going to sing THAT song. YOU ARE!" and so I went into hyper-excuse mode. Though I got physically ill before every concert for *months*, she refused to pull my song from the line up - where I got to experience the reaction of the audience and eventually developed some confidence in my singing.

Had I been my only critic, I'd have never sang publicly. Thankfully, there were people who told me I was wrong about me and audiences were affirming in their applause and post-gig comments.

Let others listen to your music and encourage you, CKE.

Jack

[cke]

Thanks all. I'm gradually getting my chops back, when I am healthy that is! The Zoom isn't getting a lot of work, but that is changing and helps iron out issues. And agree it's better to let others tell you what you sound like