My church wants to go from recording services on tape and then duplicating them to recording them on CD and duplicating the CDs.

What would be a good digital recorder that we can plug into the pa mixer? 4 tracks are probably 2 more than we need.

We probably will need to duplicate 4 or 5 copies of the cd. What is a decent duplicator?

If we could go from recording to duplicator without having to use a computer that would be a big plus because we have some non computer people running sound sometimes.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Tom

You get no help from me until you post something on the eJam thread.

But if you're serious, start with the Sweetwater catalog; it's my go-to source in print and online. Great people, good prices, reliable service.
http://www.sweetwater.com/c770--CD_DVD_Flash_Recorders

Tom, why not look at record direct to CD units..Tascam use to make them, I am sure other brands are available too..

Hi Tom,

Here is a suggestion:
Marantz CDR420

This unit records directly to an internal hard drive in a variety of formats and then you can burn CD's of the recording via the internal CD-R/W drive. The Marantz Pro equipment is of high quality.

There is another model called the CDR310 that is a bit less expensive because it records directly to CD instead of a hard drive which is fine but then you would need to purchase a CD duplicator as well. With the CDR420, since the recording is on hard drive, you can burn multiple copies just with that unit alone, not simultaneously of course, but it won't take all that long to make 4 or 5 copies as you mentioned in your post.


Best Regards,

Dave

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Wm. David McMahan
LearnMyKeyboard
JazzItUp Band

[This message has been edited by WDMcM (edited 06-10-2009).]

I had a recorder similar to that, with built-in CD burner. Never used it so I traded it to HankB. I don't know if he still has it, but I think he does. He hasn't used it either.
He's in the hospital so I can't ask him until later.
DonM

Zoom H4n... Affordable, easy to use. Records 4-track. USB 2 connectivity to the burner software. Easy to use, easy to replace if stolen. No moving parts (ought to last forever, unlike CD recorders). Records at up to 24/96, or will record as MP3 for the church to put up as streaming audio Podcast on it's website (might get more traffic that way than handing out physical CD's which cost money).

Most likely, you will want to edit the audio before it is burned (cut out dead time, whatever) so recording direct to CD won't help much. Oh, and unlimited recording time, in case the service goes over 70 - 80 min, which is all a CD can record.

Don't need four track? Zoom H2 is even cheaper!

Tom - 'd like to add two other suggestions similar to Bill's (WDW).

The Superscope PSD340 and the Roland CD-2e. Sony Superscope and Marantz are almost identical and are from the same manufacturer. Both have double drives and record to DVD.

With all due respects, Diki the Zoom doesn't seem to fit the bill for Tom's church needs. The H4 is great, but it sounds like he wants an all-inclusive machine that can edit, burn and duplicate.

Actually Diki has my idea in mind. I can plug the H2 into the mixer, then if I could plug the H2 into a burner/duplicator I'd be very happy.

Tom

Tom, that's a great way to go. I plug my H2 directly into my mixer and record live shows all the time. I make them into CD's and sell them. The sound is great.

Joe



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Songman55
Joe Ayala

http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1994

...oops, my apologies to Diki. I thought you wanted an all-in-one machine. The H4N is a great recorder, by all means. I have an H2 and just love it.

[This message has been edited by cassp (edited 06-10-2009).]

Here is an excellent resource for all your church media needs. We have used them for over 20 years.
www.kingdom.com

They have everything you need.

Jeff

Well I based my suggestion on the original post, imagine that.

I find nothing wrong with the Zoom products, in fact I have an HD16CD digital multi track. But to compare any of the little tiny portable 2 track recorders (or the H4n) to a serious pro piece like the Marantz CDR420 really isn't a fair comparison. The Marantz CDR units and the models that cassp suggested are full size units with full size buttons and controls which will make them easier to use. The CDR420 costs far more than the little pocket recorders but like I said earlier, you won't need an additional duplicator with the CDR420. Please at least take a look at the short demo video of the CDR420 CLICK HERE . You will see how unbelievably simple it is to create a CD of a service.

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Wm. David McMahan
LearnMyKeyboard
JazzItUp Band

[This message has been edited by WDMcM (edited 06-11-2009).]

I agree with the recommendations on Zoom. I had an H4, still have an h2 but upgraded to the H4n. Tom I will be selling my H2, if you're interested. It was purchased in December 2008. My e-mail address is in the profile section.

I also have a Philips CD recorder/duplicator. It's served me well, but with products like Zoom. I haven't used it in a couple of years.

I know I'm fighting a loosing battle here, but still...

The H2 has a mini-phone jack input so to get from the mixer you will need to use a 'Y' cable that has an 1/8" TRS phone jack on one end and the other end terminating in whatever type of jack the mixer has (probably 1/4" phone jacks). Not so good especially considering the H2 will have to be picked up and turned from side to side to be able to work the controls and this will put strain on the cable which will eventually make it fail. Then to make the recording useful, meaning turning it into a CD, you have to connect the H2 to a computer running the appropriate software.

The H4n is better in that it has XLR inputs. But these plug in from the bottom of the unit, and again some of the controls are on each side of the unit and you still need a computer to get the recording onto a CD.

The H2 sells for around $175.00 and the H4n for around $350.00. CD Duplicators start around $300.00 for a two bay and can go way above $1000.00 for multiple bays. The CDR420 sells for around $1400.00 so it is a more expensive route for sure. But the professional quality, ease of use, being completely self-contained and self-reliant makes it worth the extra money, at least to me.

Another option is from Microboards and is called the CopyWriter Live as seen HERE . This unit has two CD burners and has the ability to span from one to the other; as the first CD becomes full, the system automatically starts recording onto the second drive. This unit sells for around $700.00.

Remember, this device is for use in a static setting, a church where several different folks are going to be running sound at any given time. Having a table top, full sized, permanently mounted, sturdy unit may be a more suitable decision. Just my opinion.

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Wm. David McMahan
LearnMyKeyboard
JazzItUp Band

I would just use my mini laptop with a MIXCRAFT 4 program.....it's all you need to record & mix anything.

http://www.acoustica.com/mixcraft/