There's an upcoming music event I want to record in its entirety, just so I can listen back later. And how do these work? Is it fine just leaving it in my pocket to record or do I have to hold it in my hand? I'd obviously have to sneak it inside, as I doubt security will allow it :/ so it has to be portable too.
Best Portable Voice/Audio Recorder for Recording Live Music?
Comments
I'd rather have a separate device, that way I can still use my phone during the event, and not interrupt the recording.
But if I were to use my phone, could I leave it in my pocket to record?
You can try it out by, playing some music on your tv or another device and determine the sensitivity of your phone’s mic.
It seems recording a video with the camera stops the voice recorder app…
@ASOT: I think you record video or voice, not both at the same time.
Sounds like you have an iPhone(?), then just use voice recorder for audio only. It’ll still record when you turn off the screen.
@SF3: the thing is I wanna record some moments on video with my phone, which is why I wanted a separate audio/voice recorder. Would like a clip on microphone attached to my shirt work? Not sure where to buy
@ASOT: So are you trying to record audio or audio and video? For audio, it would be hard to go past the TASCAM DR05 or DR07.
@blitz: Audio of the whole event, and separate video on my phone.
Damn that is expensive. Would I have to hold it in my hand the entire time?
@ASOT: Most likely, otherwise you will just hear the sound of your thigh/pants rubbing against the mic.
https://www.digidirect.com.au/zoom-h1n-digital-handy-recorde…
These Zoom recorders are also pretty decent. Either way though, I doubt the result will turn out good.
Why on earth would you want to? It will sound like ass, and if kept in your pocket, like muffled ass.
So your lady friends front pocket?
I for one, would love to hear what muffled ass sound like.
Yoko Ono and regret.
Is this even legal?
If it's for personal use, which OP state that it is, then it should be?
wait so is the external mic so that I can leave the voice recorder in my pocket?? Or what
You guys know those tiny mics that youtubers use, that are clipped onto their shirts? How does that differ from these voice recording devices? Because I'm looking for something like that preferably, that I don't have to hold in my hand and will have good quality audio.
"Lavalier mics" are the types you're discussing. They're more for recording sounds you make [hence clipped to broadcaster's lapels]. I suppose they could work for your purpose, but I'd test one first. You can get one off eBay for $10 easily to try out.
So what does omguleh mean when he said plus a good external mic?
(shrug) Ask omguleh? Maybe a directional one?
😂
what's so funny?
Bumping doesn't work here.
@John Kimble: I checked and it goes to the top of the Electrical & Electronics forum with every new reply.
Shure make some high quality clip on mics for phones driven through an app that give excellent audio recording
eg. Shure MV88What about something along the lines of a 32-bit float recorder (Zoom F2 is a cheaper one) and a good lavalier mic..
The advantage of 32-bit float is that you don't need to set volume manually, or be worried about the sound levels fluctuating during the event. ie, at the Avalon Airshow you could have it record everything and not worry about the F-35s clipping it as they fly overhead.
Of course the sounds you make moving around, your shirt moving, people around you talking, will all be combined into the final performance.
You can’t record from your pocket without an external mic, the fabric rustling etc. will be horrible.
Some venues will be happy for you to sit a pocket recorder on the mixing desk (some artists will even let you plug in!).
If I was recording an acoustic guitar at my local, something like a zoom h2 would be good just sitting on a table front and centre.
If I was attempting to record Pink at the Qudos Arena there is probably no option that would give adequate sound.I've never known any venue that would allow you to leave your recorder on the mixing desk. Like security wouldn't even let you go up there? I'm specifically looking to record a DJ's set, and I'm pretty sure it's an exclusive set.
Grateful Dead, for example, have been doing it for years.
A DJ doing an exclusive set doesn’t sound like they would be keen to share their music, and presumably are mixing other peoples music, wouldn’t be able to allow it anyway.
As bargain huntress says below, you need to minimise unwanted noise, which will be impacted by dancing/moving about.So basically a zoom in my pocket, and a lavalier mic attached to my shirt, and I should be good?
the fabric rustling etc. will be horrible.
yeah, but he's tryin to make a bootleg, not a studio recording
Well yeah, but the mic needs to be uncovered by fabric to record sounds without the noise overwhelming the recording.
yeah i was thinking of my zoom h1 - it's long so it sits upright in a chest pocket (or my bra) and it's tall enough that the mics stick out above the fabric
zoom h1/h1n
wear a shirt with a front chest pocket, and a jacket or bag with closed pocket
make sure buttons are all set right at home
turn on outside venue
carry into venue in closed pocket
get to your spot
get out zoom
hit record
put in chest pocket
forget it's there and enjoy the showHow about if I put it in my pants pockets, and wear a lavalier mic? Would that be the same effect, or better/worse audio quality?
Would that be the same effect
yes
or better/worse audio quality?
could be better, could be worse
zooms come with nice mics, so you would be looking at buying equally nice external mic if you wanna keep the same quality
also you're going to lose stereo that way, so depends if you consider that lower quality
mskeggs rightly pointed out above that in a pocket with built in mic you will get rustling from your clothes, and as he said an external mic would probably reduce that
IF you secure it well and aren't wearing loose clothing or layered clothing over ita DJ's set
are you going to be dancing? because i don't think dancing and bootleg recording are compatible
you need to consider what youre expectations are
if as i replied to mskeggs you're trying to make a bootleg, then it doesn't need to be perfect, that's part of they're charm
it's not gonna be possible to make anything of studio quality no matter what equipment you havewhy? why are you trying to record this DJs set? - that might give us a clue what you need and will be able to do.
also you're going to lose stereo that way
Sorry could you explain that. Do you mean mic = mono audio?
IF you secure it well
What happens if I don't secure it well? Then the external mic is useless?
are you going to be dancing?
not too much
why? why are you trying to record this DJs set? - that might give us a clue what you need and will be able to do.
I might post it up on soundcloud or something tbh
Sorry could you explain that. Do you mean mic = mono audio?
yes. unless you can find a stereo lavalier mic - i'm not sure if they exist
What happens if I don't secure it well? Then the external mic is useless?
not useless, and it's just a guess;
i would just think if its not secured well and loose and therefor rubbing or jangling on clothes when you move, or attatched to loose clothing, or under loose clothing, then you'll end up with even more rustling than if you just used the recorders own mics - because not only are you and your clothes going to be moving, the external mic will be moving too.when people dance and sing they usually wear a head mic instead of a chest one
when people are sitting still for an interview the usually wear the set up youre talking about with a lavalier pinned on their chest, and a recorder or transmitter on their waistare you going to be dancing?
not too muchyou're probably fine then. just expect the music to have dancing sound effects during those parts - all part of a genuine bootleg experience.
the only thing i'd watch out for is to make sure the mic and the recorder are both secure and aren't going to fall off and hit the floor which could break them.why? why are you trying to record this DJs set? - that might give us a clue what you need and will be able to do.
I might post it up on soundcloud or something tbhthe general rule of thumb is that you're fine as long as you don't try to sell it (trading for other bootlegs is ok). it's also a very good idea to credit the dj (and the musicians if you know them) and be honest and call it a bootleg (and maybe avoid saying that you recorded it lol)
anyway you don't need to fret about audio quality, it will be what it is. you also dont want to not be able to enjoy the show because youre worried about it.
if it's really important to you to get a listenable recording of this particular performance, and you have time between then and now, then i recommend you do a test with whatever equipment you decide on. first at home with the tv etc and then also at an event preferably one that is as similar as possible.
then you can work out all the settings you want to use, and how you want to wear it etc and be confident in what kind of recording you'll be able to get. you could even do some experimenting in the field by popping into the loos with some headphones to listen to the bit you just recorded and tweaking your setup and repeating.
Your phone?