Zoom Recorder advice!

[bharatbash]

Hello everyone!
I am a complete novice when it comes to using digital recording techniques, Very recently I heard of Zoom H1 - a basic, starter recorder to record sound from an instrument.

I have a Casio Digital Piano( CDP120) , it has 3 ports- USB, DC OUTPUT and Headphone output.

Can anyone here help me with the connection b/w Zoom and my DP? Anyone with helpful links/tutorials ?

Looking forward to your invaluable advice(s) .

Thanks!

 

[happyrat1]

Refer to page E-10 of the Casio Manual, "Outputting Keyboard Notes to Audio Equipment..."

http://support.casio.com/manualfile.php?rgn=4&cid=008002004

And refer to Page 8 of the Zoom Manual

http://www.zoom.co.jp/downloads/h1/manual/

However the specs of the Zoom H1 are dodgy at best. It has a Mic/Line In jack but it doesn't specify if it's stereo or not.

The Casio Headphones out jack however, definitely IS stereo.

My advice is to look around for a better model of recorder with proper stereo inputs.

Then all you need is a 1/4" stereo TRS to dual 1/4" TS male to male cable.

If you have problems with distortion from overdriving the recorder you may have to add a DI box to match up signal levels.

Google DI Box if you don't know what that means.

Gary

 

[happyrat1]

The Tascam DP-004 has better specs and sells for around $140

http://tascam.com/product/dp-004/

 

[bharatbash]

Thanks for your time amd advice ,Gary! Much appreciated

well, I could understand some bits of what you said, and some I am clueless about.

What exactly is Line In?

TRS Cable? Sorry , no clue about it either!

Sorry for sounding like a complete noob, but I never really paid attention to this aspect, all of the time it was 'playing' which mattered o me.

Since I want to start recording in a proper way, I am trying to get a knack of everything which gets me started, nothing advanced just basic, simple stuff for a newbie like me.

 

[bharatbash]

I just checked, various online sources say that Zoom H1 has X-Y Stereo mics inside it

 

[happyrat1]

Yes the Zoom has stereo Mics, but then you need an acoustically neutral studio and bitchin good monitors to record from acoustically.

The best way to record a keyboard is a direct cable feed from the keyboard Line Out Jacks to the Recorder's Line In jacks.

The zoom is designed so you can sing along while you strum your electric guitar plugged into its mono line in.

The Tascam allows for proper 4 track multitrack recording. The Tascam is much better suited to your needs.

As for a TRS to TS cable, here's an example of what you would need for your equipment if you bought the Tascam.

You'd need one of these cables.

http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-HMP-003Y...7&sr=8-2&keywords=1/4"+trs+to+1/4"+ts+y+cable

plus a 3.5mm to 1/4" TRS adapter to fit your keyboard.

http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-GPM-103-...d=1395678523&sr=8-2&keywords=3.5mm+to+trs+1+4

My advice is to get a 4 track recorder anyway. You sing on your recordings and 4 tracks allows you 1 stereo track for the keyboard and 1 stereo track for your vocals which you can record and manipulate independently of each other.

That's my $0.02 worth...

Gary

 

[bharatbash]

Hmm..I think its getting easier for me to decide on my next purchase.

Thanks Gary, You just saved me a wrong deal! Actually I got impressed with all the hype around the H1

Hey, I just checked, in my country the Tascam one is exactly double than that of the Zoom h1s price. Since I am on a strict budget, are there any other brands/options out there for my need(s) ?

Thanks for your invaluable time and thoughts

 

[happyrat1]

Well part of the problem is that you only get what you pay for. You really should get a 4 Track recorder minimum and the Tascam is the most economical one I can find.

If you want an idea of what's out there take a look at a listing from my country.

http://www.axemusic.com/store/category/271/62/Multitrack-Digital-Recorders

The cheapest ones are all designed to record simple stereo with vocals on one track and guitar on the other.

Anyway, scan thru the list and if anything catches your eye run it by us here and we'll tell you if it's good value or not.

Gary