Schwowsers

Devo, I believe that whether or not you need a pre-amp depends on the type of concert. If you're recording a very loud rock concert, you can record through line in with just a battery box. If, however, you're recording a softer sounding show, you'll need a pre-amp.

For those of you who would like to download the awesome album Blueshift by Splashdown, which, as BJ explained, was never released, go to The Kiosk of Love.

Yeah I have a question. Why the hell would anyone pay $400 for the MZ-NH1 when you can get the equally impressive MZ-NH900 for only $300?! The NH900 has better batteries, a full set of buttons built into the unit itself, and a better display on the unit. Am I missing something here? It just doesn't make sense to me.

My favorite band is the Sneaker Pimps. The Pimps have released three albums so far, and each album is very different than the others. Becoming X is trip-hop (which I don't like) with female vocals so disgustingly pretty that I can't even listen to the album. Luckily, after this album the band switched over the the amazing vocals of Chris Corner. The first album with Chris on vocals, Splinter, is a huge change from Becoming X. You wouldn't have a clue that the two albums were made by the same band if no one told you. The music on Splinter is mellow, atmospheric rock, or at least thats how I've come to label it. It's just brilliant. The band's third album, Bloodsport, is more upbeat and very diverse. Bloodsport, put simply, is the most amazing album I have heard by any artist to date. In addition to the Pimps' fourth album, which should be coming sometime this year, Chris Corner has his own solo album coming out in June under the name I AM X. If you'd like to listen to two of the songs off his album, you can do so on Recall Records' website. I guess part of why I like the band so much is that each of their album sound very different than the others. I also think that Chris Corner has the most amazing voice I have ever heard. It's very unique and beautiful. And then there is the fact that the band is supposedly really cool. I've seen pictures of Chris, who cuts his own hair, cutting the hair of a fan backstage. The Pimps are just awesome. Definitely give each of their albums a listen if you haven't done so already!

In June, there is (hopefully) an I AM X / Robots in Disguise concert that I plan on going to in New York that I simply have to record. I have checked nearly all of the other threads on this board and a few other boards here at minidisc.org, but I'm still a bit confused as to what equipment will get me the best possible recording (on my budget). As for a minidisc recorder, I have my eyes set on a soon to be released Sony MZ-NH1. This definitely isn't set in stone, though, as I'd prefer to hear what people think about the recorder after some hands-on time with it. I have several questions regarding the specifications of this player, but I'll wait to ask them until it's release. For microphones, I'll probably end up getting some binaurals from soundprofessionals.com in the range of $60 - $100, as many people here seem to have gotten great results with fairly cheap mics from them. I'm just not sure about a battery box, though. Some threads here make it sound as thought all you need is a plain old battery box and a good microphone to get a great recording using line-in. Others claim that you need a battery box with a preamp and, preferably, bass roll-off. The latter set-up seems to make more sense, but due to the price of a preamp, It'd be awfully nice if that weren't true. If all of those things are necessary, though, I'll probably end up getting the Slimline battery box with those options included. Now, when I'm at the concert recording, I'd also like to have a good time. I'm not one for all out dancing, but I do like to bop up and down to the music a bit. Will this slight movement screw up my recording? I guess this can probably be answered better once the MZ-NH1 is out. That's all I can think of right now. Thanks to anyone who can clarify these things. Also, while I am definitely going to be getting a MD recorder and other equipment for recording live concerts, I'm in no way set on the items I mentioned. If you think something is better than what I'm looking at getting, please, tell me! I'd rather not spend more than $700 on everything, though. EDIT: Before I buy the battery box and preamp, I'll probably try the microphone volume control technique that I've read about it. It's less than $10 and if I can get a good quality recording with that, it'd be sweet to save the money I would have spent on a the battery box / preamp combo.