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Hi, and thanks for reading this.
I'm completely new to (home) recording and yesterday I browsed through many of the threads on this topic. To say I learnt a lot is an understatement! The threads pointed me to some excellent articles, videos and products I'd never heard of before. So it's been a steep learning curve! All I really need at the moment is a good quality home recording setup that lets me track the development of my sax tone, play along with backing tracks, etc. The H2n would probably do me just fine. But before I bite the bullet, I just want to make sure that I understand what the options. I'm sure there are things I missed so any feedback is very welcome! .
The options I see are:
So for about £125.00 I could go with the portable H2n or get the Yeti Pro USB in the sale or opt for the combination of XLR mic with audio interface. I'm going to mull this over for a day or two but I'd welcome any input/opinions. Although I did my best to read up on the previous threads, maybe this has all been summarised somewhere else!
Thanks,
Mike
I'm completely new to (home) recording and yesterday I browsed through many of the threads on this topic. To say I learnt a lot is an understatement! The threads pointed me to some excellent articles, videos and products I'd never heard of before. So it's been a steep learning curve! All I really need at the moment is a good quality home recording setup that lets me track the development of my sax tone, play along with backing tracks, etc. The H2n would probably do me just fine. But before I bite the bullet, I just want to make sure that I understand what the options. I'm sure there are things I missed so any feedback is very welcome! .
The options I see are:
1. Use a portable recorder (Zoom, Tascam, ...)
This seems by far the most popular option for home recording. A lot people use the Zoom H2n and all are positive and enthusiastic about it. So this is probably the one for me too. I'm considering the H4nsp because I could also mount it on my DSLR for shooting video's. Both Zoom and Tascam have a range of models with different features.
Advantages: Portability, Flexibility, Zoom models can serve as USB mic, great value for money
Disadvantages: No disadvantages that I can see - people seem to be happy with the sound quality
Considerations: Some models have XLR inputs/outputs, a mount for DSLR, Wifi remote/streaming
Price indication: H2n: £120; H4nsp: £160, Tascam DR-05: £70, Tascam DR-22WL £90
This seems by far the most popular option for home recording. A lot people use the Zoom H2n and all are positive and enthusiastic about it. So this is probably the one for me too. I'm considering the H4nsp because I could also mount it on my DSLR for shooting video's. Both Zoom and Tascam have a range of models with different features.
Advantages: Portability, Flexibility, Zoom models can serve as USB mic, great value for money
Disadvantages: No disadvantages that I can see - people seem to be happy with the sound quality
Considerations: Some models have XLR inputs/outputs, a mount for DSLR, Wifi remote/streaming
Price indication: H2n: £120; H4nsp: £160, Tascam DR-05: £70, Tascam DR-22WL £90
2. Use an USB mic (Blue Snowball, Yeti, Samson, Rode, XLR)
Record straight onto my laptop/Ipad.The Snowball does the job fine but I'm leaning towards the Yeti which has got some great reviews. The quality of these USB mics matches equivalent XLR models
Advantages: Don't see any real advantages over a Zoom H2n (which also doubles as a USB mic);
Disadvantages: Tied to laptop (less portable than option 1)
Considerations: Yeti Pro has XLR output that could be used in live sessions
Price indication: Snowball: £60.00; £Yeti: £95.00; Yeti Pro £180.00 (£138.00 in sale)
3. Use a XLR mic (e.g. MXL 770, Audio-Technica AT2035) with Audio interface (e.g. Focusrite)
Record onto my laptop (or play into any other device) via an audio interface. A wide range of condenser XLR mics are available starting from about £35. The better ones start at around £60-80.
Advantages: mic connects to other audio equipment; more flexibility with audio interface
Considerations: Cheaper packaged sets offered by DAW software by Focusrite, Presonus and Avid
Price indication: MXL 770 (£60.00) + Focusrite Scarlett Solo (£70.00) =£130.00
Record straight onto my laptop/Ipad.The Snowball does the job fine but I'm leaning towards the Yeti which has got some great reviews. The quality of these USB mics matches equivalent XLR models
Advantages: Don't see any real advantages over a Zoom H2n (which also doubles as a USB mic);
advantage over XLR is that no separate audio interface is needed (its cheaper and more portable).
Considerations: Yeti Pro has XLR output that could be used in live sessions
Price indication: Snowball: £60.00; £Yeti: £95.00; Yeti Pro £180.00 (£138.00 in sale)
3. Use a XLR mic (e.g. MXL 770, Audio-Technica AT2035) with Audio interface (e.g. Focusrite)
Record onto my laptop (or play into any other device) via an audio interface. A wide range of condenser XLR mics are available starting from about £35. The better ones start at around £60-80.
Advantages: mic connects to other audio equipment; more flexibility with audio interface
Considerations: Cheaper packaged sets offered by DAW software by Focusrite, Presonus and Avid
Price indication: MXL 770 (£60.00) + Focusrite Scarlett Solo (£70.00) =£130.00
Focusrite and Presonus sets: £ 135.00; Avid set £120.00
So for about £125.00 I could go with the portable H2n or get the Yeti Pro USB in the sale or opt for the combination of XLR mic with audio interface. I'm going to mull this over for a day or two but I'd welcome any input/opinions. Although I did my best to read up on the previous threads, maybe this has all been summarised somewhere else!
Thanks,
Mike