recording music

wasbrokegettingbetter

My techniephobe husband is looking for the modern equivalent of the old style cassette recorder. He wants to record himself playing the guitar (fortunately only for his own use). The only thing I can think of is a laptop with appropriate software, but this seems an expensive option. He can use his MP3 player, but it is so small and fiddly. Any ideas, it has to be relativly simple or I will spend all my time sorting him out.

mymatebob

He could get a small flash recorder like this

bob_a_builder

^--- Looks like a laptop might be the cheaper option !

Assuming he was going to be happy with a old style cassette recorder

One of THESE might be suitable and a lot cheaper (always assuming its less fiddly then the mp3 player) - but probably want a better ext microphone

wasbrokegettingbetter

Thanks Guys
Thats' excellent. I didn't realise these things existed, but both suggestions are great. I'll just have to decide how good a boy he's been recently before I decide what to spend.
Thanks for your time, that's my last present dilemma solved.:beer:

£$&*"($£&(

You could go for a simple multitrack recorder like a Boss Micro BR or a field recorder like a Zoom H2

http://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/shop/view_product.php?product=bosmicrobr

http://www.dv247.com/invt/41901?gclid=CMnRyPe_uJcCFYsh3godyBxYTA

There's lots of other field/portable digital recorders up to £200.

These might be easier than the PC/audio interface/mic option for a technophobe but a simple audio interface plus mic would be cheaper if you already have a suitable PC.

For the complete technophobe a 4 track cassette based recorder off ebay might be an option - recording quality won't be as good though. Main brands are Tascam and Fostex.

tomstickland

I downloaded some freeware (Harddrive recorder) that records from the line in on the computer directly to mp3 or ogg format. I'll look when I'm home to see what it's called.

Freeware audacity will do it too
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

wasbrokegettingbetter

Just a thought, if I get one of these gizmos can I connect it to a pair of mini speakers for playback or will it have to go through a computer. (I don't like him using mine, he's of the 'just press any button' mentality)

£$&*"($£&(

wasbrokegettingbetter wrote: »

Just a thought, if I get one of these gizmos can I connect it to a pair of mini speakers for playback

Most of the gizmos, beside the really cheap ones have a stereo output for headphones or for connecting to speakers - some have separate outputs, one for headphones and a line out to connect to speakers.

[Deleted User]

You want something specifically designed for recording instruments. This is a 4 Track recorder with line in so he can connect his amplifier if he was one to it, if not there's a microphone to record. This has the added bonus that it records to a memory card, and it has a USB interface which means he can transfer the music to his computer and mess around with it until his heart's content.

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/78951

£149.

Donnie

bob_a_builder wrote: »

^--- Looks like a laptop might be the cheaper option !

Assuming he was going to be happy with a old style cassette recorder

One of THESE might be suitable and a lot cheaper (always assuming its less fiddly then the mp3 player) - but probably want a better ext microphone

The frequency response, at best 300Hz~7.2kHz, is not really adequate for anything much else than voice recording.

Even an old style cassette recorder could extend from 30Hz~15kHz.

Following bob's suggestion, this one is better. A better frequency response(at up to 50Hz~19,000kHz) and a longer recording time.

bob_a_builder

We don't actually know whether he's electric or acoustic yet ?
which would narrow things down a bit

Even an old style cassette recorder could extend from 30Hz~15kHz.

Not the old stlye that I was thinking of
Cassette System: Cassette recorder - mechanical - 150 - 8000 Hz - HERE

But you're right at 7.2khz is a bit low