[Harp-L] Hand held, portable digital recording devices

[Will Jennings <will@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

While the needs of recording musical performances and rehearsals are  
often quite different
from those of radio journalists, field recording specialists, etc.,  
those of you considering the purchase
of a handheld digital recording device would be well served to visit:

http://www.transom.org/tools/


This is a wonderful resource for people who are looking to record and  
produce 'broadcast quality'
programming.  OK, you say, that doesn't include me because all I want  
to do is get our rehearsals down,
tape live shows, or have a quick & handy multi-track unit that is  
small and blah blah blah.

I still think you will find a wealth of information here about these  
devices...their quirks, plusses, and minuses.
Batteries...ambient noise and handling noise p/u via built in  
mics...how well do they handle external mics....
good, bad, or indifferent pre-amp stages or phantom power...etc.   
Flimsy or bomb-proof build....are controls
simple enough, too simple, or so buried in layered menus as to  
confound even the most indefatigable geekazoid?

They also review and suggest various freeware, shareware, and low- 
cost sound mixing, tweaking and processing
software...and even offer a 'shoot out' of various low to higher end  
microphones for collecting voice, ambient, and other
sounds.

Good site. Good people.

-Will