What is the best format/hard drive recorder to get into now?

I still use DAT because of the sound quality and (mostly) because that's what I've invested in many years ago, but for someone starting out from scratch, what would you recommend? I have a friend who wants to begin taping shows of a regional artist who allows soundboard hookups, so stealthiness is not a consideration for this purchase.

MiniDisc is good, but compressed. DAT is expensive and fast becoming a dinosaur. There are mp3 hard disk-based recorders, but again, record compressed audio. Are there hard drive recorders that can record uncompressed, that cost less than DATs? Also, please shed some light on software/connections for mastering to CD once audio has been recorded.

Thanks!

Come on, dudes! What is everybody using to record with beside DAT and MiniDisc?

New Hi-MDs record uncompressed. The main brands of MP3 Hard Drive recorders that do uncompressed are Neuros, Nomad Jukebox, and the IRiver. I would suggest going to Minidisc.org and look around, they have a list of "uploading recorders."

Pros and Cons of the two recorders I have used:

Creative Nomad Jukebox - Pros: Does automatic segmentation at 15 minute intervals. You can record as long as you have battery life. When the battery dies you have everything recorded up to that point. The higher end models have optical in and out. Can record 48 or 44.1. Cons: They are bulky, as big as a portable CD player. The cheaper models use AA style batteries. Using 2100mAh NiMH batteries you can record 2 hours straight. The higher end models, Jukebox 3, use a flat battery like a cell phone, but now only Creative sells these at $50 a pop new. With a recorder you get one, but to get extended recording time you need a second one. I don't know about record time on these since I used the older model with the AA type batteries. PC support only.

IRiver - Pros: Small. It is just larger than a regular IPod. Has optical in and out. Is lightweight and concealable. Record time on a full battery is probably 3 hours. You can build your own external battery pack from parts at Radioshack to extend battery life. Has a remote that you can control the recorder if you want to leave it in your pocket for increased stealth recording. Prices are coming down with the introduction of newer models, but these don't have uncompressed WAV recording. Fast transfers via USB 2.0. Cons: It does not have automatic segmentation. It will record 1 hour and 15 minutes and then goes into pause. You have to stop the recording and start a new one. It only records 44.1, CD quality. PC support only on these as well.

There are probably other issues that I am just forgetting at this point. There are also some other options such as a card that goes into a PDA that records to them and their media. There also is a new recorder coming that is much like a DAT that uses CF cards up to 2gb coming out. Check Minidisc.org, there is a story on it there. I can't recall the maker right off hand.

Here is a link to the DAT like Roland unit I mentioned above. Looks pretty good on paper.

http://www.roland.com/products/en/R-1/specs.html

Other issues with the above mentioned recorders:

Neither have level meters on them. I can't recall for the Jukebox, but I know the IRiver does not have on the fly level adjustment, you must stop your recording and adjust. The IRiver has MIC in and Line-In both with the MIC in having adjustable input levels, but again not on the fly.

For the IRiver more Pros: It shows as an extra hard drive so transfer is simply dragging or copy/paste unlike say the Jukeboxes or MDs where you have to have special software to do transfers and uploads. You can install the extra software to do playlists, but if you go to this it slows down the loading time of the unit meaning getting to the point of recording takes longer and you might miss something if you don't have it ready soon enough.

I really like the IRiver with the exception of the time limit on recording without automatic segmentation. With some bands, especially Pearl Jam, the main set itself is over 1hr. 15min. so you have to figure out when you have time to stop, save, and start again without really losing part of a song.

Thanks man. I knew you'd know what's what.

Did you ever upgrade Jason?

I have an edirol r01 collecting dust. I have new resistors in it to give it a 6db gain, works of CF cards. I still have the box, and it is is great condition.

No, and I really don't attend enough shows any more to justify getting new gear. My friend just got an Edirol 09 that I could probably use if I need to. Still got those crappy CSB mics to use with it, though

Get some AT943s, great small mic.

I don't know what iRiver you're talking about (but since you mention optical in/out, I have to assume it's the H1xx serie you're talking about..unless they released other ones with that)

I got a H120, put a 60GB HD in it, and a 2200mhA iPod battery with which I easily recorded 3 shows with a single charge.
install Rockbox and you can set an auto-split per size, time or just record the whole thing with no size limit (might have teh 4Gb FAT one but that's like 6 hours worth).
there's an auto-level function too that I find works pretty well (I can't be arsed fiddling with levels in the middle of a show, I'm here to enjoy it )

now i just need a decent mic/pre ...but that costs too much.

Good luck finding an iRiver though..some vbecame available again few months ago but it's sold out again

I just taped last night. I am tired. didn't get home until 1:15am.

What? hippiemom passed away? Oh crap, she was in New York, right?

Cleveland. I believe cervical cancer.

I know man. I miss her like crazy. She was such a great person.

I met hippiemom in toledo during the VFC tour 2004

She was the first I met from the PJ online community. She held my hand thru the maze of recordings. I owe her a lot. What a positive touch to my life. Thank you

Funny you mention that. That's the first time I met her in person. Toledo 04. I saw her daughter and asked where her mother was, and she said she was in line to get a coke. We met up and went outside for a smoke, she then proceeded to give me a shot of Grey Goose Vodka out of a eye solution container. After the show, I met up with her and her daughter Michelle and hung out with them until 5am that night.

She is dearly loved and missed.

Laura was the first person to do a B&P with me. She hooked me up with the Philly 03 VCD. My how have we've grown.

Don't post here much these days - but I had to add to this. Hippiemom was the first one to help me out with dvd and vcd recordings a long time ago now. She was great to deal with and very generous. Very sad to hear one of the best people I've dealt with in the PJ community is gone.

Same here. My first non-vhs video was the Philly 03 vcd, which I did my first B&P with her. I screwed up the postage on the return package, and she ended up having to pay for the postage, which she didn't mind. We were friends ever since.