MD vs Zoom H4 vs M-audio

[moon00]

Is it worth buyin those more complicated recorders

like Zoom H4 or M-audio ? (they seem expensive around here)

Or there is not such a big quality difference when

we transfer to PC ?

(My aim is to record my acoustic guitar and vocal performances

at home with my Shure mic and burn them to a CD later with the PC)

Those new machines also record different bits and have direct USB

connections to transfer TO PC.

Edited May 4, 2007 by moon00

[Ral-Clan]

Is it worth buyin those more complicated recorders

like Zoom H4 or M-audio ? (they seem expensive around here)

Or there is not such a big quality difference when

we transfer to PC ?

(My aim is to record my acoustic guitar and vocal performances

at home with my Shure mic and burn them to a CD later with the PC)

Those new machines also record different bits and have direct USB

connections to transfer TO PC.

If you just plan to "play into" your SHURE mic (I assume an SM58) attached to a minidisc machine, then you're only going to get a MONO recording.

The SHURE is a good mic for close-recording (i.e. right up near the instrument or your mouth)....which is why it's good for stage work. However, there are a lot better mics for micing a room (i.e. setting the mic back to capture your playing/singing). You'll want a stereo condensor mic. Even those little stereo mics sold by Sony are probably better than using the SHURE in this way.

[Strungup]

Is it worth buyin those more complicated recorders

like Zoom H4 or M-audio ? (they seem expensive around here)

Or there is not such a big quality difference when

we transfer to PC ?

(My aim is to record my acoustic guitar and vocal performances

at home with my Shure mic and burn them to a CD later with the PC)

Those new machines also record different bits and have direct USB

connections to transfer TO PC.

Hey moon , I owned the M-Audio , and just recently sold it , You have to have good mics and the right cablesfor that recorder to do anything , I had the gear ,

Just when I saw the news about the Zoom H2 ( not the H4) there is a new one!

When I saw the Zoom H2 runs on regular batterries instead of Lithiums, and it had 3 Mics for true stereo recording I decided the MAudio had to go .

You dont want to use the Shure for this with out a preamp or coming from your mixer to the Line input of the MD

You will want actually a Small mixer and seperate mics on your voice and the guitar , That way you will get a good blend ( controlable ) and a little tone control as well by the EQ on the mixer . There are a Number of Small mixers out there Berheinger , Mackie, Soundcraft ( I have one of the Soundcraft Compact4 mixers)

Fostex has a couple af battery powered mixers if you can find them ( they arent easily found on the website )

But the way you want to do this really requires at least two mics and a small mixer

[King Ghidora]

I've been very interested in the H2 myself but the H4 comes with the connections for your Shure mic (again I'm also assuming you have a SM58). That alone might make it worth the extra money for you. You wouldn't need the adapters mentioned by Guitarfxr.

I'm making another assumption - that the phantom power on the H4 can be turned off. Is that the case Guitarfxr? The SM58 isn't set up to work with phantom power. Most equipment allows you to turn off phantom power I believe. You wouldn't want to forget to do it because likely as not it would fry your mic.

I'm interested in the H2 because it's cheaper than other quality recorders including HIMD recorders and it comes with M/S mics. Plus it will work with the mics I already own. If the built in mics are any good you might be able to just use the H2 without any other mics. The H4 also has built in mics too btw. From what I hear they are pretty good mics.

Edited May 5, 2007 by King Ghidora

[Richard]

* Moved to Off-Topic Section

[Strungup]

I've been very interested in the H2 myself but the H4 comes with the connections for your Shure mic (again I'm also assuming you have a SM58). That alone might make it worth the extra money for you. You wouldn't need the adapters mentioned by Guitarfxr.

I'm making another assumption - that the phantom power on the H4 can be turned off. Is that the case Guitarfxr? The SM58 isn't set up to work with phantom power. Most equipment allows you to turn off phantom power I believe. You wouldn't want to forget to do it because likely as not it would fry your mic.

I'm interested in the H2 because it's cheaper than other quality recorders including HIMD recorders and it comes with M/S mics. Plus it will work with the mics I already own. If the built in mics are any good you might be able to just use the H2 without any other mics. The H4 also has built in mics too btw. From what I hear they are pretty good mics.

You wont harm a Dynamic by phantom power ( might introduce some noise ) but it wont damage them , the Phantom is defeatable on the Zoom .

It is just that the preamps on the H4 might not be hot enough for the SM58 , there will be a fair amount of self noise evident . It would be "Workable" but not great .