When the inspiration strikes

[sphelan]

Not sure where to put this but it's related to recording so here goes...

Lately, because of sunny weather, beach etc...don't want to keep going on about it and make those of you in "sunny" Britain and other places jealous...I haven't been home much and thus don't have access to my "shall-we-call-it-a-studio".

Anyway, I find myself coming up with fragments of melodies or lyrics or basslines etc and, not having neither paper nor a computer at hand, have no way of preserving them until I do get to my equipment at home.

I have a laptop but it's not ideal to carry everywhere plus the battery is shagged. I have a minidisk but it looks antiquated and anyway I could only use it to record what I could hum into it. I use my Sony Erickson phone but the mic is crap and the sound reflects that.

What I would like is something that I could carry everywhere and be able to record a bit of audio if the moment arises or to program a drum pattern or bassline.

I am thinking therefore of either an iPod Touch or an iPhone. The problem with the latter (apart from the price) is that I'd have to change phone operators here in Spain and that obligation is enough to tell me "NO". Using either I could download apps to do what I want and also, I think, use the mic to record audio.

Is this a viable solution? Anyone got a better idea? What about a Blackberry?

And yes, before the smart comments start flying, I could buy a notebook of manuscript paper but...it might get wet by the pool or on the beach!

[terminal3]

Zoom H2. Not only is it small, but the quality of the results can actually be used for stuff. Plus it records in 4-channel surround.

http://www.dv247.com/invt/65896/

(note that it does NOT record mid/side despite what that link says!! no matter how many times I moan about it, DV is not updating their website. that copy their comes from a pre-release Zoom announcement and they changed it from an M/S config to X/Y shortly before release "for technical reasons"!)

[sphelan]

mmm? but it doesn't have a text editor to write lyrics! Nor does it have software to programme sounds!

[terminal3]

Originally Posted by sphelan

mmm? but it doesn't have a text editor to write lyrics!

I carry a good ol' fashioned notepad and pen for that!

[sphelan]

Originally Posted by terminal3

I carry a good ol' fashioned notepad and pen for that!

So...last century!

[sphelan]

Have you got an iPhone, T3?

[terminal3]

Originally Posted by sphelan

Have you got an iPhone, T3?

No, I use a Crackberry... but it's the Pearl, so doesn't have a "full" keyboard and thus why I still keep a small moleskine booklet in my back pocket and a half-size pen nearby.

[TrevCircleStudios]

I carry a crackberry, an iphone and a small notepad everywhere!

[sureno]

iphone here with Bias peakpro ipro recorder, excellent

[sphelan]

So are crackberrys and iPhones any good for what I'm talking about?

I don't see any dimensions listed on the Zoom H2. I presume it fits in your hand like a mobile, right? Any you guys got one?

[terminal3]

Originally Posted by sphelan

So are crackberrys and iPhones any good for what I'm talking about?

I don't see any dimensions listed on the Zoom H2. I presume it fits in your hand like a mobile, right? Any you guys got one?

I have one. It's a bit "fatter" than a mobile but certainly not huge. It feels plasticky and cheap, if I'm honest, but the sound quality is, well, surprisingly good. Very, very useable.

I find the H4/H4N too large, although they have the advantage of being able to use external mics via XLR connections, but then I reckon the purpose is defeated anyway of having a truly "portable" solution.

Get yourself a "man bag," chuck a bunch of this junk in it and you're all set.

[sphelan]

Originally Posted by terminal3

I have one. It's a bit "fatter" than a mobile but certainly not huge. It feels plasticky and cheap, if I'm honest, but the sound quality is, well, surprisingly good. Very, very useable.

I find the H4/H4N too large, although they have the advantage of being able to use external mics via XLR connections, but then I reckon the purpose is defeated anyway of having a truly "portable" solution.

Get yourself a "man bag," chuck a bunch of this junk in it and you're all set.

I have a few "man bags" but like a good man, I forget to fill them with junk like a woman or two I know would do - running for cover after sexist comment

[terminal3]

Originally Posted by sphelan

I have a few "man bags" but like a good man, I forget to fill them with junk like a woman or two I know would do - running for cover after sexist comment

There aren't any women for miles, don't worry.

[sphelan]

The thing is I thought I could get an ALL-IN-ONE solution and the Apple apps are attractive as ITB type solutions. Obviously, the notepad is still by far the best method for lyrics, I don't dispute that...I just have to remember to chuck one in each of my "man bags" and I'm sorted.

Anyone comment on the mic quality in an iPhone or iPod Touch?

In the local Apple shop they told me yesterday that the iPod doesn't have a mic and I'd have to buy an earplug with mic to record into it.

The Zoom H2 does look like a good idea...but it's not cheap!

[sphelan]

Originally Posted by terminal3

There aren't any women for miles, don't worry.

Shame really - but we can't seem to get them to make long-term commitments round here!