Handheld/portable recording devices??

[Ice Aak]

Greetings all - recording newbie here with some questions that will hopefully set me straight(er).

I don't record that often, but when I do it just doesn't sound the way I want it to. My current setup is probably the most dumbed down/easy route you can go and I sort of understand that I can not expect miracles from this setup:

Guitar>Yamaha THR 5>USB>Audacity.

I can get the THR to sound good in the room, but I think the recorded sound just isn't there. Especially distorted rhythm which sounds a bit "fake" and "distant". I will include a link to a clip so you can hopefully hear what I am talking about.

I am hoping that one of those handheld devices (Like the Zoom H4 or something similar from Roland/Tascam/Boss) will give me a more "natural" or "convincing" recorded sound compared to the recorded sound I am getting when recording through the USB. Another upside of the handheld device would be that I could record the tube amp (Laney TI15) I have upstairs/far away from the PC.

So, my questions are:

1. Will a handheld/portable device sound "better" than my current setup (THR through USB)?
2. Can a handheld/portable device be used/"miced" like a proper mic (like say a SM57?) or would it would just overload from the volume? (Edit: specifically when recording the tube amp)
3. And finally, if I decide to go this route - which device do you all recommend for recording electric guitar? My main contenders as of now would be the Zoom H4n, Tascam DR-05, Roland R-05, Olympus LS-14. I would definitely be open for other suggestions but preferrably nothing that costs over 300 bucks!

I will give an example of the recorded tone I get when recording the THR through USB - do you recording gurus think that a portable recording devie like a Zoom H4 or xx will give me a better quality/more natural sounding recorded guitar tone than what you can hear in the clip? I like to keep things REALLY easy so I don't think I want to dive in to buying lots of interfaces and proper mics etc. Eagerly awaiting your thoughts regarding this

Clip: https://soundcloud.com/user-116488934/crewslp

[RIFF]

That actually didnt sound bad to me, aside from the mp3 type digital compression. For what you had going, it sounded pretty realistic. Im not sure what benefits youd have with micing it, but you could try.
Portable units are very cool, in their way. Decent built in mics for room micing, but youd probably be better off using a 57 for close micing a cab, etc. & usually they have XLR inputs. Although I wonder how good the mic-pre's are going to be. Probably passing, but not great.

Id say probably nice to have a portable, but Id like to have a regular Auido Interface forr most things.
I know there are some guys who have them & could chime in.

[Ice Aak]

Thanks for the input Riff! Hmmm, never really thought about that the actual format/conversion to mp3 could play a part in the sound I described as "fake/distant". I guess I could face the same problem if I record through a portable/handheld device and convert to mp3 via Audacity But then again, when I have the "raw" file in Audacity (before I mix/convert to mp3) it does still have that digital/compressed feel...

Since you already helped me out Riff: would you by any chance have direct experience with a portable recording device/have any recommendations? I have been searching on Youtube but most soundclips/examples of using portable recording devices there is just talking/singing or recording acoustic guitar... But anyways - thank you for the input man!

[overdrivenel34s]

I have an zoom h1 which i have used on occasion either with built in mics and with line in with adapter to get stereo feed of the board. Quality of sound is fairly decent. Yoiu basically ge the main mix prior to it going through the mains speakers (which do add their own coloration to sound). So its essential everything is miced through pa, to get them in the recording.

One thing i learned was even if the input level is set where it looks like plenty of headroom before clipping there is some other input gain prior to the main input gain that's not visible and not adjustable that can clip. The work around is getting a pad chord (that cuts db level something like 15 to 20 db i think) between the line in and the adapter to the mixer direct out. If the pa board has an adjustable level for the direct recording outs.

Another thing i learned if you use built in mics be are of things in immediate surroundings of unit like fans. I once had is somewhat near a fan without realizing it and the recordings were full of wind noise.

Also, seems like simple concept but if you want to record sets, make sure to remember to hit record before the set starts.

[overdrivenel34s]

Here are a few clips of h1 direct off board. Nothing great but at least illustrates the sound quality.

This show soundman handled boosting all solos and was a little late on this one. guitar gear wise this was epi sg through palomino 16 amp with wgs green beret miced with sm 57 with amt b drive for overdrive.
https://soundcloud.com/user198570527/al ... lo/s-Ddn9M

Below a few clips from another show. I was playing epi sg through peavey 6505mh through jet city vertical 2x12 miced with sm 57. no pedals in front of amp. a passive volume pedal in effects loop for solo boost function using footswitchable effects loop
https://soundcloud.com/user198570527/tr ... ip/s-ZOD4r
https://soundcloud.com/user198570527/i- ... ip/s-Is0YN
https://soundcloud.com/user198570527/ha ... lo/s-QQmmJ

[ajaxlepinski]

Instead of a portable recorder, you may want to consider getting an analog to digital interface and a mic as Riff suggested.

An interface also allows you to plug your guitar directly in to your computer - this allows you to use guitar simulators, amp simulators and cabinet simulations.
You will have many more options with a interface.

I'm sure you can get other suggestions for an interface, but the Focusrite Scarlet series of converters are affordable.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Focusrite/S ... terface.gc

The SM57 is a versatile and affordable mic that can be used for guitar, vocals and drums.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Shure/SM57- ... Package.gc

[RIFF]

Thanks for the input Riff! Hmmm, never really thought about that the actual format/conversion to mp3 could play a part in the sound I described as "fake/distant". I guess I could face the same problem if I record through a portable/handheld device and convert to mp3 via Audacity But then again, when I have the "raw" file in Audacity (before I mix/convert to mp3) it does still have that digital/compressed feel...

Since you already helped me out Riff: would you by any chance have direct experience with a portable recording device/have any recommendations? I have been searching on Youtube but most soundclips/examples of using portable recording devices there is just talking/singing or recording acoustic guitar... But anyways - thank you for the input man!

I dont know a lot about the specific portable systems available. I own an older Zoom 1608 that I used a little. Its semi portable, & sounds really good but is only 16 bit, etc. IMO, its mic pre's sounded WAY better than a behringer 302, & maybe a little better than my focusrite 2i2. But IMO, you REALLY gotta do your studying... anything could change from one generation to the next & you gotta find what the latest lowdown is!

[Ice Aak]

Thanks for chipping in everybody - can always rely on some good info from Gabbers
I think it is definitely worth checking out/learning a bit about the interface/mic route as opposed to just focusing on the portable/handheld stuff.