DAT-heads Digest #159

Contents:
  flash recorders: Edirol R-09, m-audio 24/96 and Marantz PMD 660 eval (Stephen Bezruchka)
  Chicago Bluesfest 2007  -  Tapers Needed (Got Da Blues)


From: Stephen Bezruchka <sabez@u.washington.edu>
Subject: flash recorders: Edirol R-09, m-audio 24/96 and Marantz PMD 660 eval
Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2007 13:46:12 -0700 (PDT)

These three units have been available for a year or more so what are they 
like now?  I think they all are good for different purposes, and I'd like 
to present what I've learned in using them all.  I previously sent my 
comments out June 9, 2006.

EDIROL R-09
R-09 is my favorite because it is small, versatile, uses AA batteries 
which can power it for many hours (6+ with 2300 mah NiMHs) and is 
reliable.  There have been some concerns for the mic-input jack, if the 
plug strains it which can render it useless. I always use a 3.5 mm right 
angle plug, and hold it there with a fabric elastic around the recorder 
which usually sits in my pocket (recording speech).  My ideal microphone 
for recording speech is a Sonotrim lavalier which it powers.  This can be 
used with an adapter as a boundary mic, or in a vampire clip cage mounted 
in clothing on the chest to record the speaker, or with the usual type of 
clip seen in production.   With record activated, the levels set, and hold 
on, the R-09 set this way can be put out of harms way in a pocket.  On 
more than one occasion, I've not checked to make sure the hold is secure 
and thus the unit was turned off.  There is a digital output but no input.

Concern has also been voiced about the back plate being easily detached 
but I've not had this problem because I store the unit in a Flambeau Tuff 
Tainer box, the kind of plastic storage box with dividers you get in 
hardware stores.  I carefully cut out the dividers of UPC barcode 
071617010027 and the R-09 sits securely inside.  I have no concerns about 
putting the box containing the R-09 anywhere.  Someone reported having 
dunked the recorder in the water and after drying, found it operable. 
I've had no problems swapping AA batteries out of the bay, after following 
the advice of Leonard Lombardo at Sonic Studio's to lubricate the rails 
with waxed paper.  The flap slides easily and I take care in not forcing 
it back.  He also points out that it is difficult to overload the 
microphone preamp through a high voltage input signal.  Those wishing 
higher fidelity can use an external preamp.  The display is hard to read 
in bright daylight, so a small hood can be fashioned and kept tucked away 
when not needed.  I don't use the 24 bit mode but there is increased 
headroom with lower levels.  I put adhesive tape over one or two of the 
slide switches on the back lest I move them accidentally.  There is no 
digital input which is a limitation for some.  There is also no true mono 
input which would double the recording capacity.

m-Audio 24/96
The m-Audio 24/96 is a backup unit for me.  I find the digital input a 
useful feature as well as the higher sampling frequency which is so 
important for my use.  Not having interchangeable batteries is a definite 
limitation.  I don't like the metering and input system either.  The 
advantage of this unit is balanced microphone inputs with (admittedly 
lower voltage (30 V) phantom powering.  However the 1/4 inch TRL jacks can 
be noisy if twisted and are best ganged or someway made not to rotate. 
There are third party plugs available.  Individual level control albeit 
with unintuitive metering, is an advantage for this small recorder.   The 
latest firmware supports true mono recording capability which gives 
greater recording times that are significant at higher resolution and bit 
depth.

Marantz PMD 660 The Marantz PMD 660 was the first flash recorder I owned 
and it has several advantages over the others as well as limitations. 
Having XLR connectors for mic input with phantom power is a good feature. 
The recorder's preamps are noisy, but third party fixes (mine done by 
Oade) can improve them to be quite quiet.  There is no plug-in power or a 
3.5 mm jack for small lavalier microphone so an adaptor with power must be 
used in this case.  There is no XLR line input unless you have a third 
party modification done to use the mic inputs.  The USB 1.1 connection 
slows transfer, but the compact flash card can be easily put into a reader 
to bypass this problem.  Even so, you must power the recorder externally 
to use the USB, which is a hassle unless you remove the card.

Having three separate programmable configurations for recording is very 
handy.  There are many other useful features including automatic pause 
recording which can be set at various input levels.  This can be used for 
recording phone conversations during which the recorder is off when there 
is no signal.  It sports true mono recording.  One can edit files in the 
recorder without using another computer which can be very handy.  Having 
the ability to insert marks in the recording makes this especially useful 
to not have to scroll through audio files to find important segments, but 
you must do this through the recorder as the marks are not saved in the 
usual format that is transferred to a computer, at least that I am aware 
of.  The optional remote control is very useful for me to pause recordings 
easily.  One can also insert marks with it.  With an extension cord, you 
can be far from the recorder and still control it.  The recording level 
display, as well as the automatic level control, which can be adjusted, is 
the best of the three units.  Individual channel controls are the easiest 
to use.  There is no digital in or out.

SUMMARY:  We can expect more recorders, and there are several new ones 
that I haven't used.  I'm very happy with these three and don't anticipate 
getting another for some time to come.  None of the newer ones have 
features that entice me at this point.




From: Got Da Blues <strawjak@yahoo.com>
Subject: Chicago Bluesfest 2007  -  Tapers Needed
Reply-To: XJAKSTRAWX@AOL.COM
Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2007 22:45:59 -0700 (PDT)

Hi,

Below is the 2007 Chicago Blesfest Line up.

There are a lot of great artists/bands that would be
well worth recording. Please contact me by email if
you end up recording any of the blues fest.

Thursday, June 7 

U.S. Cellular Front Porch
11:30-1:00 Blues in the Schools: Erwin Helfer,
Katherine Davis and Eric
Noden with the Stone Academy All Stars
1:30-2:30 Aaron Moore
3:00-4:30 Bobby Slim James with Joanne Graham
5:00-6:30 Phil Guy and the Chicago Machine 

7/11 Route 66 Road House
12:00-1:30 Boogie Woogie Stomp: The Music Explosion
which gave birth to the modern era-Honoring the Ammons
Family (Lila Ammons, Edsel Ammons, Sonny Leyland,
Renaud Patigny, and Bob Hall)
2:00-3:30 Soul/Blues: the lifeblood of the blues today
featuring Bob Jones,Rip Daniels, Julius Lewis, and
Willie Clayton moderated by Larry Hoffman
4:00-5:30 Centennials Memorial: Jim O’Neal, Larry
Hoffman, Michael Frank, and Bob Porter remembering
annual honorees and the passing of the legends in 2006
such as Homesick, Henry and Robert Jr., Ruth Brown,
Snooky Pryor, Chico Chism 

State of Mississippi Juke Joint
12:30-2:00 Chainsaw DuPont
2:30-3:30 John Primer
4:00-5:30 Jimmy Duck Holmes
6:00-7:30 Chicago Jam Station with Dave Specter, Aron
Burton and Kenny Smith 

State of Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club
12:30-1:30 Willis Prudhomme and Zydeco Express
2:00-3:00 Bob Hall
3:30-4:30 Boogie Woogie Stomp: Renauld Patigny
5:00-6:00 Boogie Woogie Stomp Part 2: Carl Sonny
Leyland and LilaAmmons 

Gibson Guitars Crossroads
12:00-1:30 Charles E. Shaw and the Chicago Blues
Rebellion Band featuring
Lady Sax and Lady Cat
2:00-3:30 Osee Anderson and Da Blooze Folks
4:00-5:30 Hoochie Coochie Boys: Muddy’s side men
featuring George Mojo Buford, John Primer, Rick
Kreher, Ray Killer Allison, Calvin Fuzz Jones,
Barrelhouse Chuck, and introducing Muddy Waters Junior


Petrillo Music Shell
6:00-7:00 Koko Taylor and the Blues Machine
7:10-8:10 Jimmy Dawkins
8:20-9:30 Willie Clayton 

Friday, June 8 

U.S. Cellular Front Porch
11:30-12:30 Blues in the Schools with Billy Branch and
the children of Mississippi
1:00-2:30 J.W. Williams and the Chi Town Hustlers
2:45-3:30 Vernon and Joe Harrington
4:00-5:30 Carey and Lurrie Bell
5:45-7:00 The No Static Blues Band featuring Mary,
Lynn and Renee Lane 

7/11 Route 66 Road House
12:00-1:30 The Significance of the Berlin Jazz
Festival as told by Jim O’Neal with some of the
outstanding performers of the era.
2:00-3:30 Blues: a family affair with Johnnie Mae and
son Jimi Prime Time Smith
4:00-5:30 Chicago Blues Today: An intimate inside
discussion with authors David Whiteis and Karen Hanson


State of Mississippi Juke Joint
12:00-1:00 Jimmy Duck Holmes
1:30-2:30 Terry “T” Williams/Wesley Jefferson
3:00-4:00 Clarksdale Delta Blues Museum
4:30-5:30 Jimmy Duck Holmes
6:00-7:30 Chicago Jam Station with Kenny Smith, Guy
King and Calvin Jones
 
State of Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club
12:00-1:00 Darryl Davis
1:30-2:30 Ken Saydak
3:00-4:00 Ariyo
4:30-5:30 Willis Prudhomme and Zydeco Express 

Gibson Guitar’s Crossroads
12:00-1:30 Carl Weathersby
2:00- 3:30 Mighty Joe Young Jr. featuring Chontella
Renee
4:00-5:30 Carlos Johnson and the Serious Blues Band 

Petrillo Music Shell
6:00-7:05 Johnnie Mae Dunson and son Jimmie “Prime
Time” Smith
7:15-9:30 Billy Branch’s Sons of the Blues 30th
Anniversary Reunion 

Saturday, June 9 

U.S. Cellular Front Porch
11:30-1:00 Fruteland Jackson’s Birthday Party
1:30-3:00 Wanda Johnson and Shrimp City Slim
3:30-5:30 Chicago Harmonica Project Part II featuring
Little Arthur Duncan, Charlie Love, Big D, Jeffery
Taylor, Mervyn ”Harmonica” Hinds, Reginald Cooper
supported by Rick Kreher, E. G. McDaniel, Mark
Brumbach, Twist Turner, and Illinois Slim,
6:00-7:30 Khalif Wailin’ Walter 

7/11 Route 66 Road House
11:00-1:00 The Great Lakes Blues Society Summit,
hosted by Big City Blues Magazine
1:30-3:00 Blues on Film: John Sayles “The
Honeydripper” 
3:30-5:00 Cultural Tourism: a Virtual Blues Tour on
the Blues Trail (Chicago Office of Tourism,
Representatives from the States of
Mississippi and Louisiana moderated by Jim O’Neal) 

State of Mississippi Juke Joint
12:00-1:00 Terry “T” Williams
1:30-2:30 Homemade Jamz Blues Band
3:00-4:00 Alvin Youngblood Hart
4:30-5:30 Jimmy “Duck” Holmes
6:00-7:30 Chicago Jam Station w/ Kenny Smith, Guy
King, and Calvin Jones 

State of Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club
12:30-1:30 Dave Drazin
2:00-3:30 Drink Small
4:00-5:00 Willis Prudhomme and Zydeco Express
5:00-6:00 Tony Llorens 

Gibson Guitar Crossroads
12:00-1:15 Elmore James Jr. with Cadillac Zack
1:45-3:15 David Dee and Family
3:45-5:00 The Honeydripper All-Stars featuring Gary
Clark Jr., Eddie Shaw, Arthur Lee Williams, Henderson
Huggins, and Mabel John 

Petrillo Music Shell
5:00-6:00 Nellie Tiger Travis
6:10-7:00 Big Jay McNeely with Jesse Scinto
7:20-8:20 Irma Thomas and the Professionals
8:30-9:30 Magic Slim and the Tear Drops 
Sunday, June 10 

U.S. Cellular Front Porch
11:30-1:00 Melvia Chick Rogers and her Gospel
Harmonizers
1:30-3:00 Cephas and Wiggins
3:30-5:00 James Cotton
5:30-7:00 Zac Harmon 

7/11 Route 66 Road House
11:30-1:00 The Art of the Blues: Geraldine Nash,
Gustina Atlas, Patty Crosby, George Berry, and Bessie
Johnson discuss the essence of Mississippi Folk Art
with Larry Morrissey
1:30-2:30 Sunnyland Tales: Sam Burkhardt, Steve
Freund, David Honeyboy
Edwards, and Barrelhouse Chuck
3:00-5:00 Howlin’ Wolf Birthday Party with family and
friends. 

State of Mississippi Juke Joint
12:00-1:00 Zac Harmon
1:30-2:30 Homemade JamZ Blues Band
3:00-4:00 Bobby Rush
4:30-5:30 Jimmy Duck Holmes
6:00-7:30 Chicago Jam Station w/ Dave Specter, Harlan
Terson, and Mike Schlick 

State of Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club
12:30-1:30 Henry Gray and the Cats
2:00-3:30 Willis Prudhomme and Zydeco Express
4:00-5:00 David Honeyboy Edwards 

Gibson Guitar’s Crossroads
12:00-1:15 Lil’ Howlin’ Wolf
1:45-3:00 Katherine Davis Blues Ensemble
3:30-5:00 Maurice John Vaughn Blues Band 

Petrillo Music Shell
5:00-7:05 The Disciples Playing for Sunnyland: Sam
Burkhardt leads Steve Freund, Bob Stroger, Barrelhouse
Chuck, Kenny Smith, Calvin Jones, Willie “Big Eyes”
Smith, Kenny Barker with Big Time
Sarah and Deitra Farr 
7:15-8:15 Tribute to Wolf featuring James Cotton,
Hubert Sumlin, Eddie Shaw, Abb Locke, Henry Gray, Jody
Williams, Smokey Smothers with Lafayette “Shorty”
Gilbert, and Willie Smith
8:25-9:30 Bobby Rush 

Thanks,

DJ

BWT -- 1st to respond gets it
John Primer W/ Lurrie Bell      
5-28-07 Chicago  Kingston Mines 


       
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