Portable digital audio recorder or computer

[redmond007]

I have been listening to some of the recordings on this site and they sound quite good, I was amazed some were done with portable digital audio recorders like the Micro BR.  I have always recorded on my laptop using an interface like the Apogee Duet, and I was curious about these types of devices.

How does the sound quality of these portable devices compare to computer + audio interface + mics?  Do you prefer the portable digital audio recorder for quickly capturing songwriting ideas?  I have been using my iPhone for capturing songwriting ideas quickly, but the sound quality is not good.  Also I capture song ideas in GarageBand by using my built in mic on my MacBook Pro.  I also have Ableton for when the song is ready to be properly recorded and finished.

Any comments appreciated, I'm considering buying these devices if it will help me write and record better material, but not if it's just another toy that is duplicating functionality I already have.

[cuthbert]

The BR series are self-contained production studios, offering multitrack recordings, multiple inputs, built-in microphones, routable effects and rhythm patterns. They are not unlimited in their feature set, but they provide enough tools so that you can do some seriously good work.

If you're looking for portability, the Micro BR cannot be beat, in my opinion. They are definitely not toys - these miniature production studios have recharged people's musical output to a high degree, and are a great intro to standalone digital recorders. Other BR models offer more features, so there should be something in the BR line for nearly everyone interested in making music.

[alfstone]

Hi Redmond,

Interesting question. First of all please excuse my English. My opinion: apart from the portability, as Cuthbert reasonably says being the real point of interest in MBR (and at a lower degre for other models such as  the BR-600), I think that the 2 worlds (hardware recording vs software recording) can do more or less the same thing with the same results...it depends instead a lot by your mind, your experience...

I mean...I'm 55, and when I was younger I had fun recording myself with a 4-tracks cassette Tascam recorder...so probably, since I've grown up with the concept of a "hardware recording tool", I tend to prefer this kind of home recording...my BR-600 is beginning to have some problems, after 5 years, so now I'm replacing it with a Zoom R16.

I have also both PC and Mac computers, and it's easy to find good (and even free) sequencers, but...nothing to do for me, I feel discouraged, so  many options, so many thing to care...I prefer having a "thing" that is specialized only in that kind of stuff: home recording. I think it's the same for guitar effects: there are those who prefer pedalboards and multieffects, and there are others who use with exactly the same results great pieces of software such as GuitarRig, Amplitube...

I suspect it's a matter of age. The generational factor makes easier for us ("not so young home recordist") dealing with hardware, while I see that most young musicians are computer-based. But I repeat, I'm convinced that the results you may have are basically the same: your approach to one or the other will make the difference. You will have better, or worse, results depending on the working path more (or less) right for your mind.

OK, OK, MY ENGLISH IS AWFUL!!!  

...but I hope it has a sense for you...

Ciao
Alfredo

[64Guitars]

I prefer hardware recorders for a number of reasons which I've stated here before. So, rather than repeat myself, I'll direct you to these messages:

https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?topic=220.msg1245#msg1245

https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?topic=791.msg5917#msg5917

As I mentioned in the second message above, it can be useful to have both a hardware recorder and a software DAW. You can conveniently record your original tracks in the hardware recorder, then import them into a software DAW for post-production and final mixing. If you're interested in that option, I'd recommend looking at the Boss BR-800. It's a great standalone recorder and comes with Cakewalk SONAR 8.5 LE software DAW. You can even use the BR-800 as a control surface for SONAR. This lets you use the BR-800's faders, transport controls, etc. to control SONAR's parameters for much easier and more intuitive mixing than would be possible with just a mouse (eliminating one of the drawbacks of software DAWs).

[redmond007]

I guess my question would be - portability seems to be a big reason in using BR over PC.  But if you are going to use a dedicated mic in addition to the BR then the BR is not so portable anymore as you have to drag the mic + mic stand + pop screen (?possibly) around.

So BR is only portable if you like the built in mics - how does the recording quality of BR + built in mics compare with PC + audio interface + mic?

[SdC]

I have been listening to some of the recordings on this site and they sound quite good, I was amazed some were done with portable digital audio recorders like the Micro BR. 

You have answered your own question right there.

[cuthbert]

So BR is only portable if you like the built in mics - how does the recording quality of BR + built in mics compare with PC + audio interface + mic?

I use the built-in microphone on the Micro BR all the time, and I think most Micro BR users here do the same. The onboard mic is capable of very good to excellent reproduction, especially if it's positioned correctly.

That said, I'm sure it is possible get better sound with a more expensive condenser or ribbon microphone, depending on how much you decide to spend, how well it is positioned for the sound source, and how transparent the interface to the BR input may be.

[peterp]

The internal mic is very good, you can also add an inexpensive portable condenser mic like the APEX 162 which gives you stereo inputs.

It is powered by the MicroBR through the MBR's Plug-in Power feature, a sort of mini 2.5v phantom power for the mic.

Or you can go crazy like many of us and plug in a mixer and a whole pile of mics and instruments.

I personally prefer to record tracks to the MBR in a comfortable room/environment, then dump them to the DAW and finish up in Audacity or Reaper.