transcription of vinyl to HD-effect of soundcard on sound?

The Tascam DR-40 I investigated (as well as other Tascam products), was manufactured for live digital recording. No analog ports here.
Why would you recommend this to me??

And there are analog inputs so I wonder if the site you checked is out of date?

The link I provided is really upsetting a lot of folk. To which I think is a good thing.
Bob

Despite your many past useful replies to me, this one was of no use to me.

It seems you are unfamiliar with High Fidelity Analog Audio Technology.

If you have any other comments on High Fidelity Analog Audio, with respect to digital conversion, I would be pleased to hear them.

It appears that the Divide between Digital Audio (computer sound) and High Fidelity Analog Audio has become too great. I am so disappointed.

Patrick Ahern

And it's partly why I pull out my audio recording "kit bag" with things like the Tascam when we want better than average recordings. The first link I provided was to get folk thinking how much has changed in the PC audio world. Today folk still press for many thousand buck audio production in a PC yet look at the article.

The reason I brought up the non-PC solution is it avoids noise and more that I used to get on my laptops, desktops and such.
Bob

What are you recording? Are these live performances or transcription of vinyl LPs?

I'd be interested to know.

Patrick Ahern

Transcription of LPs only.

Everything. These are pretty high end recorders and if you keep in mind the first link I gave to Tomshardware, well, I find that pretty much covers it. I know some want to use an audio input on a PC but as I think I noted those are rarely that good.
Bob

I agree that digital audio is not the best sound quality available.
However, I understand that those who grew up with it would probably find that analog sounds weird.

Pat

CD audio is well, different from vinyl through tube amps. If you want that kind of sound I'm unsure if any digital recorder and player (all digital up to the amplifier after the DAC) can deliver an exact rendition.

However having heard how many versions of a song I came to think that close enough is close enough. There are those that would disagree but how to pack vinyl, player and tube amps in anything portable?
Bob

I am not interested in portability. That is the advantage in digital format, but a price is paid, of course, in sound quality.

But Fostex(?) and Tascam plus those others make very nice digitizers.
Bob

Fostex appears to be designed for professional musicians judging by the pricing. No doubt worth the $$ to a pro, but not for me.
It was interesting to peruse their website, thanx again.

Pat

Fostex appears to be designed for professional musicians judging by the pricing. No doubt worth the $$ to a pro, but not for me.
I think the Tascam model 05 with fixed mics is suitable for my transcription purposes.

It was interesting to peruse these websites, thanx again.

What is your opinion on used hardware? Worth the chance, or am I buying someone else's problems?


Pat

The refurb must be done by the maker or from a source we tried or one that we can return the gear. We've had great luck with say, woot.com and amazon prime.

About pro gear and such. Once in a while we get into discussions where the OP (original poster) wants pro results so we head off to pro gear. Or a gamer that wants to "casually game."

That's like casual drag racing. Your Chevy station wagon won't stand up to a top fuel dragster unless it's equipped with a JATO ( http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/videos/jato-rocket-car-aftershow.htm ) and even then it's going to be iffy.

In this case my bet is you want really great audio transfer. At 180 albums, even if you could get them on iTunes for 99 cents an album you are still doing it for a bargain.
Bob

- internal microphone
- external microphone XLR input
- 2 line inputs
Those are all analog. And it saves it as .wav or .mp3.

I'd call it an analog-digital converter. But if you prefer to use a PC with a sound-card for such, what's keeping you?

Kees

I am not confident of the sound quality produced by my computer sound cards.

My brother, who is a financially successful record producer, told me that digital audio was designed for gunshots and car crashes, and rap music.That is, to accompany video programs, not for listening to music. I hate to sound sarcastic, but digital sound is designed for portability and convenience, in my humble opinion. Admittedly, I grew up with analog audio, so I am biased. Most people today have never heard analog sound, so they don't know.

Nevertheless, I always appreciate your input. I need an A/D converter, as you said, but still have suspicions about the sound card if I use a computer. The Tascam DR-40 seems logical except it is designed for professional recording of live performances. Bur still a reasonable option, if I can afford it.

Thanx again for your replies.

Patrick Ahern

I can't keep all the models in my head but was at my office and it's in the kit so I looked at the shelf and answered with this one. My son did the degree in audio production and uses another model that I can't remember.

Many PCs have iffy recording which is, well, partly why I think other than a PC would be best.
Bob

Thanks...I think. Computer-less is obviously the way to go.
The Tascam has large mike inputs, which I do not need, and only a single 1/8" audio input from my Rega turntable. And no interest in live recording.

I would prefer to have a selection of products to know that there is some competition in the marketplace.

But it appears this is my best option.

Thanx again, as always, for your input.

Patrick Ahern

I finally found a website (amazon) which showed different views of this product. I saw 2 microphone inputs, a mic/input port (1/8" single stereo).
Where is the second line input?
I hate to be a nag, but could you provide a URL?

I believe I must be looking at the wrong edition of this device.

Thanx for the info!!

I am not so concerned for mic recording. Would prefer to concentrate resources on transcription only. However Tascam or other models seems to be the best way for me. Have not investigated other manufacturers.
DR-05 seems closer to my price range; not concerned with mic positions.
Perhaps I may develop some interest in live performance in my retirement boredom.

It seems unlikely that I will find a A/D recorder for transcription only. I really do wish to avoid the use of a computer at this stage. As you mentioned, too many possible degrades of sound quality.

Patrick Ahern