#1952896 - 06/04/08 09:01 AM
Yamaha Pocketrak 2-G, anyone have one of these yet?
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EddiePlaysBass
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Anyone have one of those? I am still undecided about whether or not to invest in a digital recorder, it would be fun (and rewarding on so many levels) to be able to record our rehearsals but it's not a cheap investment ...
Pro's and con's from people who have similar devices? I know you're out there !!
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http://www.myspace.com/thedapperdansAfter the various bands you've been in, and the headaches you've seen, you figure having TWO bands at once will be better? - Tom Capasso
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#1953120 - 06/04/08 02:55 PM
Re: Yamaha Pocketrak 2-G, anyone have one of these yet?
[Re: EddiePlaysBass]
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itu
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I have used a Zoom H-4 and this Yahaya. There are some points to look at depending on your use:
Yahaya
+ internal speaker, even poor quality, helps to check the recording
+ slim and tiny
- only internal memory, no way to add or change any cards
- lousy connectors
H-4
+ 2 or 4 track
+ phantom power possibility
+ good quality XLR and 1/4" connectors
+ versatility
+ some effects available
+ practically unlimited memory when connected straight to a computer (acts as a USB interface)
+ SD cards are common and quite cheap
+/- still quite small but does not fit to your pocket so well
- does not have an internal clock so all files have the same time stamp - you need to talk the time and date to the beginning of the taping to separate them from each other
- UI is not as easy as it could be, but basic settings are still quick
Both units
+ DO record history!
+ work as standalones: "just add batteries"
+ need basic batteries (AAA and AA), which are available everywhere
+ are robust
+ are visible in the dark
+ get the rehersals and gigs go to a new level
+ are tools for educational purposes, especially self-learning
+ can produce very good stereo recording of what was played live
+ have 1/4" thread for camera stand attaching available
+ are easy to learn, at least the basic use
+ can produce up to CD quality with a very low investment
- need some understanding of the placing and the format (mp3, wav...) to get the needed results
Highly recommended.
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#1953297 - 06/05/08 01:15 AM
Re: Yamaha Pocketrak 2-G, anyone have one of these yet?
[Re: itu]
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EddiePlaysBass
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Thanks itu, I'm looking at something to record our rehearsals with for home practice. Is the fact that you have more positive things to say about the Zoom H-4 to be attributed to you having more experience with this unit?
_________________________
http://www.myspace.com/thedapperdansAfter the various bands you've been in, and the headaches you've seen, you figure having TWO bands at once will be better? - Tom Capasso
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#1953365 - 06/05/08 05:44 AM
Re: Yamaha Pocketrak 2-G, anyone have one of these yet?
[Re: EddiePlaysBass]
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Phil W
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Great that you've used them both itu. Neat advice. The Yamaha unit looks expensive to me. I can't work out why it costs more than the zoom - unless in misread the price.
2 gigs is probably all you need, though I like the portability of using SD cards in the Zoom H4. I upload the recordings to a PC straight away but I guess have the option of having more SD cards.
The connectors and the whole design of the H4 is very solid. It travels in my gig bag to every gig and rehearsal and stands up well.
The primary H4 function of field recorder works wonderfully, provided you set the levels right. I've used it on everything from big festival gigs to quiet acoustic sessions.
The H4 also has a number of different functions.
It is a decent usb interface and works fine for that so you can record your bass on the PC using cubase.
It is a very limited 4 track recorder (although that's a lot of fun).
And it can function as a headphone amp/effects unit for practice.
A lot of functionality for the cost.
It's certainly the best thing I've bought for bass playing apart from the strings-bass-cable-tuner-amp-cab deal.
Edited by Phil W (06/05/08 05:55 AM)
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#1953678 - 06/05/08 01:54 PM
Re: Yamaha Pocketrak 2-G, anyone have one of these yet?
[Re: EddiePlaysBass]
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itu
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Well, I would love to give the choice to you. This is because the Yahaya is really, really small and it provides surprisingly good recorded sound. The H-4 is more versatile - and also somewhat bigger. I still do think that H-4 is small enough for me to carry along. (Some years back I used to record one vocal band's live recordings with Tascam DA-P1 DAT and a pair of AT4050 condensers. Neat and a compact set but pricey and converting the DATs to CDs was a slow task.)
I went through different units and happened to test these two in real conditions. I used both to record succesfully almost whatever from my son's talk to bands and nature sounds (ice cracks, birds...).
I try to describe these toys from a different perspective, which is compact digital cameras: 2-G is definitely better than a cell phone camera but lacks the special features. H-4 is like the bigger and more feature cramped compact which has the possibilities but you also need to learn the manual by heart for better results.
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#1953888 - 06/06/08 01:41 AM
Re: Yamaha Pocketrak 2-G, anyone have one of these yet?
[Re: itu]
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Phil W
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I'm not sure how much benefit the internal speaker would be. Would it really give you a picture of the quality/levels of the recording? Is it much of an advance on plugging a set of headphones in?
The size (Yamaha) is very impressive.
I agree that the H4 manual is one I've read and re-read many times.
The H4 also works better since I updated the drivers via the Zoom website - which is actually very easy to do.
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#1954122 - 06/06/08 11:47 AM
Re: Yamaha Pocketrak 2-G, anyone have one of these yet?
[Re: Phil W]
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TimR
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Zoom also do a cheaper H2.
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Feel the groove internally within your own creativity. - fingertalkin Check us out here: REVIVAL
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#1956138 - 06/10/08 11:06 PM
Re: Yamaha Pocketrak 2-G, anyone have one of these yet?
[Re: Phil W]
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itu
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I'm not sure how much benefit the internal speaker would be... Is it much of an advance on plugging a set of headphones in?
...
The H4 also works better since I updated the drivers via the Zoom website - which is actually very easy to do.
The internal speaker is not very good in sound quality but it is still there. The unit is complete. One can at least check that something is going to the memory. Of course, even the very small and simple headphones can deliver better sound. In stereo.
The updating of the H-4 has been very easy and it is good that Zoom supports the unit actively. I am just waiting for the internal clock that will separate the files from each other.
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#1956231 - 06/11/08 06:26 AM
Re: Yamaha Pocketrak 2-G, anyone have one of these yet?
[Re: itu]
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Phil W
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Ah yes!
There was one gig where I missed the whole thing as I had left it still on line input rather than mic input. I suppose checking the sound by mic or headphones might have prevented that.
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#1957926 - 06/15/08 05:15 AM
Re: Yamaha Pocketrak 2-G, anyone have one of these yet?
[Re: Phil W]
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EddiePlaysBass
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Seems like Tascam has discovered the market too:
http://tascam.com/products/dr-1.html
_________________________
http://www.myspace.com/thedapperdansAfter the various bands you've been in, and the headaches you've seen, you figure having TWO bands at once will be better? - Tom Capasso
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