portable recorder comparison and test

[alfonso]

I found it very helpful and concise:
http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/audio/p ... omparison/

So, which one do you like more?

[Mr Arkadin]

i personally like my H4 over the other models because it's the only one with XLR inputs.

[kylie]

too sad the review doesn't include the MicroTrack II which is said to perform even better, and addresses all (well most of) the problematic issues found on its predecessor. fortunately I have some reviews from magazines, and if I ever replace my minidisc it will most probably be my item of choice. the thomann price seems absolutely ok, imho.

-greetings, markus-

[JoeKa]

If I feel the need for a new field recording device, the Olympus would be my choice. I held it in my hands before and it feels all solid and well made, and yet it is really slim. Even though I like and honor the budget devices of Zoom, the LS10 is a different quality league.

[kylie]

right that M II one is missing, but its predecessor is in the test..

the thing is, several issues with the predecessor (also mentioned by the reviewer) were solved with the M II, so it definitely would be worth including.
phantom power is now 48V, recording into files more than 2GB works (by splitting the files), less power consumption, a switchable limiter for the preamps, faster file transfer via usb2...

it's still not the toughest built recorder, but it has its inner values...
well, that's what they say

-greetings, markus-

[braincell]

I have the Microtrack. It's bad that it uses an internal battery but it can be powered by a USB battery pack or car adapter.

http://www.splitbrain.org/blog/2007-07/ ... ttery_pack

[kylie]

I have the Microtrack. It's bad that it uses an internal battery but it can be powered by a USB battery pack or car adapter.

yes, the internal battery was always one of the major "issues" they did not solve (if it is an issue at all). you can have it replaced by sending the unit in. not really customer friendly, to say it with your words . but yes, there is the option to power it via usb. do you know, by any chance, if the external power will still work once the battery finally failed? I have a hair trimmer that won't work via mains once the (rechargeable) batteries die...

-greetings, markus-

[braincell]

I don't know. I hope it works. Probably the internal battery will corrode eventually so it might not be a good idea to leave it in there yet it is expensive to have replaced. I wish I had the limiter button.

I have a very early $900 digital camera which I might be able to sell for $30 on ebay .

[kylie]

I have a very early $900 digital camera which I might be able to sell for $30 on ebay .

mine was 1900DM (around 950 EUR; ok, I paid maybe 750), and I was lucky to get about 120 EUR when I sold it...

[erminardi]

i personally like my H4 over the other models because it's the only one with XLR inputs.

+1 I have H4 and i find it a good item with a lot of useful things (HiQ inbuilt mics (wow!), XLR in, phnatom, USBII audio inteface + cubase, little and light, 4 tracks recording, interesting inbuilt EFX/amp sim, etc.)
No other one is a real contender in price/quality.
Believe in me, his quality is unespected very good!