Fiddlehub store: Digital Recorders For Fiddlers

Edirol R-09 Wave/MP3 Recorder

I've been using this digital recorder exclusively since it came out about 2 years ago. Here are the features I wanted and really like:

Very good microphones, built in. No need for an external mic.
Removeable disk storage, for easy data transfer to my computer.
USB interface, for even easier data transfer.
Removeable batteries, so no need to recharge if they run low. Just pop in new or fresh rechargeables.
Easily switches record mode from MP3 to Wave.
Small and light weight. Fits in my fiddle case, along with extra batteries and storage disks, with no problem.
Very fast from "off" to powered up and recording. I can be at a session, hear a tune I want to record, and be recording it within 4 seconds.
Separate controls for playback volume and record gain.

There are other features that I don't use, but you might like. For example, it accepts an external mic (1/8 inch plug), either mono or stereo, and it has a reverb feature.

How good are the microphones? All the guitar tracks you hear on fiddlehub.com were recorded with my Edirol using only the on board mics. Also, I have recordings that I made at live sessions with this recorder and they are now on my ipod. If it was a quiet session, these recordings compare very favorably with music uploaded from CD's that were recorded in studios.

This is a durable machine. I've knocked mine to the floor at a rowdy session and it kept right on recording. Click on the image to the right to order yours or get more technical specs and information.

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Edirol R-09HR Wave/MP3 Recorder

This digital recorder is an update on the recorder described above. I don't own this model, but I have seen it and used it. Apart from all the features listed above, it has some significant improvements:

I can't testify to the quality of the built-in mics, but I understand that they are even better than on the model I have.
The viewing screen is larger and easier to read.
It has a speaker built in. You don't need to plug in your earphones to do a sound check.

There are a number of other improvements that I did not check out, but if I was buying a new digital recorder today, I'd buy this updated Edirol 09.

Click on the image to the right to get yours.

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Zoom H2 Wave/MP3 Recorder

I don't own this digital recorder or have any experience with it, but the Zoom H2 and H4 products seem to be the main competitors with the Edirol line of recorders. I have seen the H2 and H4 discussed on fiddler forums, and folks seem very pleased with them. The H2 has most, if not all, of the features of the Edirol 09, and it costs less.

To order, or for lots more information, including technical specs, click the image to the right.

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Zoom H4 Wave/MP3 Recorder

From what I can tell, the biggest difference between the H2 and the H4 is the microphones. It's also more expensive (but still less than the Edirol 09HR). As you can see, the built in mics have a configuration that is unique to this recorder. I don't know whether the built-ins are significantly better than those on the H2, but I can tell you this: This is the portable digital recorder you need if you want to run XLR directly into the recorder. Why does this matter? Because just about all higher end external mics use XLR connectors. This recorder enables you to use a very high end external mic if you want to (or can afford one).

To order, or for lots more information, including technical specs, click the image to the right.

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Other digital recorders?

There are many other products out there for you to consider, and most of them are a lot less money. In general, these products are great for recording dictation, conferences, etc, and if you use them to record fiddle music, you'll be able to hear it and figure out what the notes are. I doubt very much, though, that they'll compete with the Edirol or Zoom products when it comes to quality recording of live music in the field.