ninethirty

That's probably worth adding as another plus for the Tascam -- they seem to be updating the firmware with useful features, whereas the Zoom has added ... what, faster WAV->MP3 conversion in the software? Oops -- I started writing this before Guitarfxr's verdict on the 1.10 update. Scratch that. Guitarfxr, thanks a lot for your response. I like the solar panel idea -- if I get a DR1, I'll have to try that. When you said you used a 6v or 9v panel, you were still regulating it down to 5v before sending it to the Tascam, right? Good to know about 1/4" mics, I didn't know they were common. My ribbon mic doesn't need phantom power, but it's very, very low output -- I need two of (admittedly cheap) preamps chained together to get a useful signal out of it. I wonder if a XLR->1/4" adapter would work for a SM57. Electric plugged in doesn't sound like much, it's true; it's useful for recording a dry signal for using software amp modelling later. But since the DR1 doesn't act as a USB mic, I wouldn't be able to monitor the modeled signal, so I suppose there's no real reason to run the electric direct. Thanks again for the responses.

Thanks for the extended review -- this is still the only full hands-on review of the DR-1 that I've found. Several of the folks that reviewed the Zoom H2 originally (O'Reilly Digital Media, Brad Linder, etc...) have said that they're in the process of getting a review model, but nothing yet. I'm especially interested in your experience, since I'm mainly interested in recording music in non-studio situations (on the couch, in hotel rooms) and my main contenders are the Zoom H2 and the Tascam. From what I've gathered from your initial review, here's the current advantages of each model -- please correct anything I've left out: Tascam: Better micsAnalog limiter that actually worksAnalog compression, handy for vocalsMore granular gain controlSturdier build (at least sturdier feeling, I haven't heard of anyone actually breaking the casing of an H2 yet)Better preamp for external mics*1/4" input*Non-destructive overdubbing*Zoom: Smaller (by about 15%)Cheaper (by about $100 street in the U.S., although with shopping the difference is smaller)4 mics*AA batteries (so you can use alkalines in a pinch)Works as a USB micMetronome (sounds silly, but actually kinda handy for practice)Tripod mount, mic mount/handlesexy Electric Shaver aestheticSome of those points are much more significant than others, of course. Did I miss anything? The asterisks are things that will be very significant for some people, but I can't see myself taking advantage of, personally. I could be wrong, though. The overdubbing, for example -- I see myself using this mostly to record ideas when away from the computer and more complete songs with a laptop nearby, so I see myself doing most multitracking on the computer. But perhaps it will be handy enough that I won't need to break out the laptop. A couple questions: Based on the manual, it looks like the Tascam has a hard file-size limit at 2G, after which it will just stop. Is that true? I know the Zoom will automatically start a new file after 2gb, and may loose a few seconds in the switch, but at least it keeps recording. Concert taping would be a (distant) secondary use for me. Also, when you're recording your guitar through the Mic 2 input -- that's a preamped signal from an acoustic pickup, right? So it wouldn't work for recording a dry signal from an electric guitar? I don't know much about acoustic pickups, so I thought I'd check. I guess I'm unclear on what the purpose of the 1/4" input is. The manual only mentions it being used for microphones, but it seems like XLR would make more sense for that. Are 1/4" jacks common on microphones in some market segment? I have an old ribbon mic with a 1/4", but this wouldn't have enough gain for a ribbon anyway. Any updated acoustic guitar sound samples after the firmware updates? You said that it was greatly improved with the lower gain setting. And I think your playing is quite nice, actually Thanks a lot for the review and the updates -- like I said, it's the most thorough discussion of this little device that I've seen so far.