Diggin.... The Environment

What's going on?

Lol, sound's like an off-beat question (no pun intended) but I think it fit's here. This is my goal...
I am attempting to purchase a portable recorder (one of those handheld models) to tag along with me as I go about the city and capture sounds I can incorporate as either loop's or help build a drum kit (Example: Construction equipment)

My question....
What is a good model to do this with? I am looking on Amazon to find one and there are a ton of them, so before I make the purchase I am attempting to find which one would best suit my need's and wants. hoping someone on this forum has done or is doing the samething and can provide some insight.

Thanks in Advance,
K.D.D.C.

go for a roland sp

if you can go for one that has xlr inputs and batteries, you can use higher quality mics and will really get nicer sound.

i use a little tiny voice recorder, it still sounds great when i go line in, but for anything serious i have to bring an external preamp. i would prefer one with built in xlr jacks and preamps.

Yeah, a Roland SP-404 or a Tascam DP008. Both portable and runs batteries. The SP is a sampler with a built-in microphone with effects and the DP008 is an 8track recorder with two built-in mics or you can hook up a mic using the XLR or 1/4" inputs and carries its own phanthom power, but eats up the batteries in an hour or two. Both internal mics sound good on both devices but the DP008 sounds supreme like a studio mic.

I recommend Zoom's h4n. Price just dropped on these not too long ago. If the H4n is overkill for your needs, check the h2. Just made a track where all the percussion is from my kitchen recorded on the zoom's mics, using found sound is great fun!

Fellas, I really appreciate all the help and suggestions. I am going to research the one's suggested some more and make my choice.

@Buddy Maxwell, lol funny you say that because I always keep the thought in my head of how Havoc(Mobb Deep) said on one of the Infamous cuts he used a stove clicker(the part that ignites the gas) as a snare, for some reason that shit is too dope to me.

You're spoilt for choice with handheld recorders these days. I use an Olympus which is great, but I wouldn't try and push that over anything else.

Mr Debauch is the man to speak to.

i´ve heard good things about the zoom handheld recorders.

I use a zoom h1 and I'm happy with it. It's simple, small and cheap too.

one thing i forgot - the other night i took out a laptop running on batteries and an apogee one (mac only) and took some recordings / impulse responses of a big hall.

amazing quality! the built in mic on that apogee (the mic is built into the interface) is quiet and just sounds great. couldn't believe the waveforms i was seeing.

^^I'm always interested in IRs (since the noisevault library is down atm)
Keep an eye on the USB port of your ONE. I've heard they are the cons on this very nice Interface.

peace