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Review: TASCAM GT-R1 Digital Guitar Recorder Publish Date: Nov. 26, 2008
The palm-size GT-R1 combines a 24-bit stereo WAV recorder with guitar effects, drum patterns, infinite overdubbing, and even a looper for practicing. "What we have here," says impressed reviewer Mark Nelson, "is a recorder that will make you a better musician."
Review: Yamaha Pocketrak 2G Handheld WAV Recorder Publish Date: Oct. 2, 2008
As tiny as a pocket voice recorder but packing full-resolution WAV audio, the half-inch-thick Yamaha Pocketrak breaks new ground in sound and portability. Is this thumb-size studio right for you? Mark Nelson flips it open at an acoustic jam to find out.
Review: Edirol R-09HR & M-Audio MicroTrack II Publish Date: Aug. 7, 2008
Portable recorder expert Mark Nelson tests version 2 of the popular MicroTrack and R-09 recorders side by side at his Hawaiian guitar camp. Were the upgrades worth it? Listen to his exclusive audio examples and find out.
Review: Olympus LS-10 WAV/WMA/MP3 Recorder Publish Date: May. 22, 2008
After capturing 65% of the voice-recorder market, Olympus has now aimed its zoom lens at portable WAV/MP3 recorders. Guitarist Mark Nelson tests this 24-bit, curvaceous, aluminum-clad beauty and likes what he feels and hears. Telephoto mics, anyone?
Review: Marantz PMD620 Handheld WAV Recorder Publish Date: May. 8, 2008
With an exotic OLED display, baby-simple controls, good sound, and an attractive price, the Marantz PMD620 aims to stand out in the crowded world of portable digital audio recorders. How well does it perform? Mark Nelson frails a gourd banjo to find out.
Review: Sony PCM-D50 Portable WAV Recorder Publish Date: Jan. 10, 2008
Sony's newest digital audio recorder boasts many of the exotic features of the flagship PCM-D1 for a third of the price. Once again, guitarist Mark Nelson renews his quest for the perfect handheld recorder — and it looks like the sixth time may be the charm.
Review: Zoom H2 Handheld Surround Recorder Publish Date: Sep. 13, 2007
With twice the mics and half the price of the competition, this breakthrough digital audio recorder puts four-channel surround recording at your fingertips. Is this the one we've all been waiting for? Guitarist Mark Nelson fires up the bagpipes to find out.
Review: Korg MR-1 Hi-Def Portable Recorder Publish Date: Aug. 2, 2007
Thanks to 1-bit technology, this new audio recorder puts Super Audio CD resolution in the palm of your hand. Guitarist and recording engineer Mark Nelson jets back to Hawaii to test it and is astonished by the quality.
iPod Mic Shootout Publish Date: May. 18, 2007
Apple finally added "CD-quality" recording to the iPod. But how good is it really? Recording engineer Mark Nelson plugs in three leading add-on mics and records voice and guitar to find out.
Review: Zoom H4 Handy Recorder Publish Date: Feb. 1, 2007
Mark Nelson completes his tests of today's three hottest audio recorders with this in-depth review. The Zoom H4 offers more features than the M-Audio MicroTrack and Edirol R-09 for $100 less. But is it right for you?
Three Surprisingly Cool MIDI Controllers Under $300 Publish Date: Dec. 20, 2006
Mark Nelson tears into a MIDI drum set, guitar, and keyboard that look like toys but deliver big-time musical fun.
Review: Edirol R-09 Pocket Digital Recorder Publish Date: Aug. 31, 2006
You asked for it: Recording engineer and acoustic guitarist Mark Nelson grabs this hot new 24-bit WAV/MP3 recorder and returns to Hawaii for a shootout with the defending champ, M-Audio's MicroTrack. Listen to the high-res WAV files and decide if Mark chose right.
Review: M-Audio Black Box, v2 Publish Date: May. 17, 2006
This breakthrough guitar processor offers amp modeling, unique rhythmic effects, a mic input, a drum machine, and a Pro-Tools-compatible USB audio interface for an astonishingly low price. Our impressed reviewer concludes, "It deserves a place in every guitarist's tool kit." Plus: exclusive tips and demos from inventor Roger Linn.
Review: Native Instruments Guitar Rig 2 Publish Date: Mar. 8, 2006
"Rarely have I had so much fun testing software," says Mark Nelson after recording guitar and bass through this colossal rack of virtual amps and effects. "If you can't find a satisfactory tone, you aren't trying." But is digital guitar right for you?
Review: M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96 Pocket Digital Recorder Publish Date: Nov. 30, 2005
Barely larger than a first-gen iPod, this portable recorder lets you capture sound in 24-bit WAV format or compact MP3. But is the low price too good to be true? Accomplished recording engineer Mark Nelson MicroTracks a Hawaiian guitar festival to find out.
