datacloud

Live Music Recording Equipment

This is off-topic, but I'm looking for recommendations for a solution to replace my Sharp DR7 MiniDisc recorder (I ordered this, as I order most of my high-end audio equipment, through Audiocubes--excellent service and great products.) I use the unit primarily for recording live concerts, both band sessions (run through the soundboard and into the MiniDisc) and stealth sessions at live shows (using hidden mics). I really like the DR7, but I've dropped it several times, tossed it into duffle bags full of cables, water bottles, and other devices, and just generally abused it to the point that it's started acting wonky.

Here are the features I'm looking for:

1. Record up to two hours worth of music at middling quality (better than mp3, but that's a flexible threshold)
2. Handle both line level and unpowered mic input
3. Under $500 (if Kelly reads this, I mean under $300, really)
4. Can set recording levels on the fly (or automatically) to avoid over-driving
5. Relatively small (to the level that I can hide it during recording)

As I said, I'm considering just purchasing another imported DR7. The new Sony Hi-MDs are attractive due to the dramatically higher storage capacity, but they lack the live recording features of the Sharp models (especially the DR7). The new Sharp DR80 replaces the DR7, but it's $100 more and lacks the LCD display on the main unit (but is probably currently my number two choice). I keep hoping that a hard-drive-based player/recorder will come out that meets live recording needs, but the best bet, the iRiver HP120, seemed really cool, but doesn't let you monitor recording levels visually--you have to listen through headphones (I assume) to set recording levels, something nearly impossible to do during live shows unless you're located in an isolation booth. How brain damaged.... Let me know if you have any suggestions. Posted by johndan at April 24, 2004 01:17 AM | TrackBack