Recording live DJ sets with an MP3 Player???

[DJRobSFCA]

Hey Guys-

I currently use SoundForge on my laptop to record my sets at home, but I'm looking for something more portable than that to take to the club. I'm thinking about buying a Sony Mini-Disc player to record my sets. However, I'd prefer to buy a MP3 player, but I haven't found one that actually records a non-stop 6 hour dj set. I'm curious what everyone else is using or what you guys recommend before I buy something.

thanks!

 

[Slimm]

How are you?

I konw the IHP has a limit as far as recording into a wave file (760 megs or something like that). I'm not sure if the same holds true for recording straight into MP3.

I believe the old Archos recorders could do the job, if the batteries last that long.

You may be better off sticking with MD for that job.

 

[3Double]

As a dj myself, I wouldn't rely on anything less than MD. With Hi-MD around the corner, the future of dj recordings on the go is very bright.

 

[austonia]

The Nomad Jukebox 3 can record to MP3 or WAV up to the limit if the hard disk... mine has 60gb. Longer than any DJ set, i'm sure. the benefit of recording to WAV over MD (ATRAC) is that its uncompressed... you can do better compression on your PC if you need to. Use the LAME codec, it's generally accepted as the best. MD (ATRAC) is just another compression scheme like MP3, except that while every player on the market supports MP3, only players made by sony will play ATRAC files. If you recorded the set to ATRAC on your MD recorder, then you'd have to transcode it on your PC later so that other people could listen to it, and that's just more loss of sound quality.

 

[3Double]

Quote:

Originally Posted by austonia The Nomad Jukebox 3 can record to MP3 or WAV up to the limit if the hard disk... mine has 60gb. Longer than any DJ set, i'm sure. the benefit of recording to WAV over MD (ATRAC) is that its uncompressed... you can do better compression on your PC if you need to. Use the LAME codec, it's generally accepted as the best. MD (ATRAC) is just another compression scheme like MP3, except that while every player on the market supports MP3, only players made by sony will play ATRAC files. If you recorded the set to ATRAC on your MD recorder, then you'd have to transcode it on your PC later so that other people could listen to it, and that's just more loss of sound quality.

Yes, but Hi-MD will allow PCM recording, which is raw, uncompressed audio. couple that w/MDs player ruggedness, size, battery life, and media, and I think the choice is clear for me, as a dj that likes to record away from home.

I really don't think there's any option that looks nearly as good for portable dj recording, except maybe a Nagra..hahah

 

[austonia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Double Yes, but Hi-MD will allow PCM recording, which is raw, uncompressed audio. couple that w/MDs player ruggedness, size, battery life, and media, and I think the choice is clear for me, as a dj that likes to record away from home. I really don't think there's any option that looks nearly as good for portable dj recording, except maybe a Nagra..hahah

well, if you want to wait, more power to ya. The NJB3 is an existing, mature product. Hi-MD isn't even out yet.

 

[3Double]

Quote:

Originally Posted by austonia well, if you want to wait, more power to ya. The NJB3 is an existing, mature product. Hi-MD isn't even out yet.

6 days till release and counting...

 

[gloco]

you can record to wav on a nomad, max file size 3 gigs. With the latest and great firmware, when it hits that 3 GB limit, just press and hold down the >> button and a new wav file will commence. I would definitely go with a nomad over any MD recorder for extended concerts. Ya might want to invest in a a/d converter though...

Also, with firewire or usb, you can have your recording on your pc in a matter of minutes...unlike MD.

 

[3Double]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gloco you can record to wav on a nomad, max file size 3 gigs. With the latest and great firmware, when it hits that 3 GB limit, just press and hold down the >> button and a new wav file will commence. I would definitely go with a nomad over any MD recorder for extended concerts. Ya might want to invest in a a/d converter though... Also, with firewire or usb, you can have your recording on your pc in a matter of minutes...unlike MD.

Have any of you guys recorded like this with a Nomad? Although I'd never get one for this purpose, I'm curious how well it works.

 

[GrantT]

I have found heaven with you lot... finally a resource of people who are both interested and seemingly knowledgeable in this area and looking for the same end result as I am - live DJ set recordings.

I am responsible for recording live DJ sets in clubs for two highly-established net radio/on-demand stream sites. I've mostly used two setups, as audio quality is certainly important to me.

config A: (club mixer -> Behringer Eurorack mini mixer to drop levels -> Edirol UA-20 external sound card -> laptop, recording in Sound Forge or Nuendo)

config B: (club mixer -> Behringer mixer to drop levels -> Sony portable DAT)

Now, I prefer the portable DAT at this point on almost all accounts. Size, weight and audio quality. I'd like to be able to get rid of the Behringer mixer, but can't justify splashing around the cash for a Tascam DAP1 with the 20db pad to allow for levels being bumped over the course of the night's recording when I can do nothing about it other than accomodate it somehow.

I'm curious about two things about the new MD standard and current/near-future generations:

1) does/is the audio quality likely to stand up to DAT levels? Not just purely from a stats point of view, but real-world usage. (eg: today's Nomad 3 line/optical-in ...how does it sound compared to DAT?)

2) how well do these devices handle the levels experienced by many club mixers? (eg: DJM600, Xone 62) Given the different line level outputs between just those two examples, I'm accomodating for the change using the Behringer mixer. Any other experiences?

Having recorded several hundred hours of sets - from local up'n'comers to massive international named DJs I'm always keen to do both ensure stability and audio quality, as well as an element of flexibility in some of the nicer elements like size and weight.

Jeez, I hope someone can provide advice from their experience. Thanks in advance folks.