Broadcast Quality Digital Recorder Recommendation

[DoubleB]

I need a broadcast quality digital record for a radio show I do on AM radio. Currently have a $60 sony that doesn't deliver the sound quality needed. The inexpensive Olympus models won't cut it either.

What specs should I be looking for? Stereo? Any recommendations on a unit that produces high quality at a reasonable price?

Thanks for your responses.

[steve]

You're not going to get real "broadcast quality" for much under £1000. (perhaps the Tascam HD-P2 at around £700?).
Not really "broadcast quality", but I use a Zoom H2 digital recorder which is about as good as you will get for the price (~£125 GBP).

[DoubleB]

You're not going to get real "broadcast quality" for much under £1000. (perhaps the Tascam HD-P2 at around £700?).
Not really "broadcast quality", but I use a Zoom H2 digital recorder which is about as good as you will get for the price (~£125 GBP).

Steve, what is your application? Music? Interviews? The Olympus LS-10 appears to be highly rated, anyone have feedback on that unit?

[steve]

The paper specifications look similar. The Zoom has 4 microphones, making it configurable for different pick-up patterns, including 4 channel surround. The Olympus comes with 2GB flash memory as standard, whereas the Zoom has only 512MB (upgraded mine to 2 GB for £17 GBP). The Olympus is a fair bit more expensive than the Zoom. The build quality of the zoom looks a bit delicate (all plastic), but has survived being dropped onto a carpeted concrete floor from about 1.5 meters, without any damage (I do NOT recommend trying that )

I mostly use my Zoom H2 for recording music (a very wide variety -including solo violin, vocals, piano, full rock band) and have also used it for recording speech.

Neither of them would be suitable for close vocal microphones (wrong sort of microphones), but either of them are likely to do a good job with music or interviews.

Other recorders in a similar price range are the Edirol R-09 HR and the Sony PCM-D50. Of these 4, the Zoom is the least expensive by quite a long mark (Samson/Zoom have an excellent reputation for high quality/low price).

I chose the Zoom H2 as I was very impressed with the recording quality, the ease of use, and value for money.

Professional broadcast quality machines would be things like a Nagra, or a Fostex FR-2, both of which are considerably more expensive, but you are paying for superlative sound quality, build quality, reliability, environmental robustness, etc. If I was going on a recording expedition to the inner reaches of the Congo, I think that I would rather be relying on one of these rather than either the Zoom or the Olympus.

There's a few ideas for you there - I guess you will just have to have a look at which one of them you like and make a decision.

[steve]

Just found this which may be of interest: http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=146588