How do you record your choir?
  • AbbysmumAbbysmum
    Posts: 184
    You folks are such a fount of knowledge and wisdom! I've tried searching the forum to see if this has been discussed, but haven't found anything (yet).

    I am looking at getting a device for recording our choir during rehearsals (so we can listen to playback) and for recording parts for practicing at home. What do you guys use to record yourself and/or your choirs?

    I just have a Samsung phone, which has terrible audio quality, so IDK if something like an iPhone would suffice. Or do you use other equipment? I don't have a lot to spend, so I need something that's a good bang for the buck.

    Thanks!
  • rvisser
    Posts: 94
    I have had great success with Zoom recorders. I have bought several for parishes where I have worked, and currently use the very basic version (it is pretty idiot proof).
    https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H1essential-Accessibility-Microphones-Microphone/dp/B0CSL4PXDV/ref=asc_df_B0CSL4PXDV?mcid=c3851599776436868c659b18307b0b3d&hvocijid=1357172889093647600-B0CSL4PXDV-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1357172889093647600&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019251&hvtargid=pla-2281435179978&psc=1
    It is an all-in-one device (mic included) and comes with a USB cable to transfer recordings to a computer. I use Reaper to cut tracks from longer recordings.
    I often record on my cell phone (Samsung something or other) and it's fine.
    Thanked by 3CHGiffen Abbysmum Chant_Supremacist
  • Jeffrey Quick
    Posts: 2,277
    I have a Tascam DR5 and a Zoom. Both good, but I like the Tascam a little better. Neither will break the bank.

    More of an issue: placement. Ground level doesn't work during Mass; too much PiP noise. The loft at St. Sebastian was a lot wider, and we tended to be to one side, so parking it on the other end of the loft was fine. At St. Mary, much narrower, I do my best, but it still favors the Gospel side.
    Thanked by 2Abbysmum Steve Q
  • AbbysmumAbbysmum
    Posts: 184
    Thanks for your comments!

    I was looking at both the Taxscam DR5 and Zoom. Do you need an external mic for them, or do the ones built in sufficient?
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,309
    The built in mics on my Zoom work very well.
    Thanked by 1Abbysmum
  • Don9of11Don9of11
    Posts: 861
    Back in the day, our organist at St. Mary's in Akron, Ohio used his "boom box" which had a cassette recorder built in. He would place it on the organ bench near the sanctuary and he taught his wife which buttons to push and how to flip the tape over and start recording again. Of course the choir sang from the choir loft.
    Thanked by 2davido Abbysmum
  • Steve QSteve Q
    Posts: 124
    I have used a couple of different models of Tascam handheld recorders and the built-in mics were very good. I upload the audio to my computer and use Audacity (free editing software) to edit it. When I want to share parts with the singers I post the audio to SoundCloud.com (also free up to a time limit), marking them "private" so that only those with a link can access them.
    Thanked by 1Abbysmum
  • AbbysmumAbbysmum
    Posts: 184
    Back in the day, our organist at St. Mary's in Akron, Ohio used his "boom box" which had a cassette recorder built in. He would place it on the organ bench near the sanctuary and he taught his wife which buttons to push and how to flip the tape over and start recording again. Of course the choir sang from the choir loft.


    LOL I have a boom box still (my 16th birthday present many o' decades ago), but no cassettes!

    I have used a couple of different models of Tascam handheld recorders and the built-in mics were very good. I upload the audio to my computer and use Audacity (free editing software) to edit it. When I want to share parts with the singers I post the audio to SoundCloud.com (also free up to a time limit), marking them "private" so that only those with a link can access them.


    Those are great ideas, thanks!
    Thanked by 1Don9of11
  • SponsaChristi
    Posts: 783
    Our MD just uses his professional recording equipment he owns.
  • GambaGamba
    Posts: 668
    Honestly, unless you are trying to make a recording for distribution/promotion/the Web, the default Voice Memos app on iPhone nowadays is perfectly sufficient for the uses you describe (if placed a good 10’ from the singers). The convenience is unmatched: from the app, you can trim the recording, text the file to any choir members who want it, play it back to a speaker, or upload it to Google Drive or another sharing service. An external recorder like Tascam or Zoom can be almost commercial-grade, but will always add in an extra step of moving the file to a computer, processing it, etc. just to send Joe the bass part.
    Thanked by 1MatthewRoth
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 3,698
    We have to put our devices in the nave, which is a bit frustrating as I’d like some recordings from Mass occasionally.
  • davidflournoy
    Posts: 2
    Have any of you heard of or used a simple audio recording device that you could plant permanently somewhere in the church (say, somewhere high up on a pillar in the naive) and then activate remotely from an app or something on your smart phone or computer? This would be quite convenient, because at a push of a button from the organ bench the recorder could turn on and off, recordings could be downloaded or listened to, etc.
  • Dr_Haze
    Posts: 27
    I use my iphone sometimes, and can email the group directly from my phone, saves time. Zoom recorders are good too, but you then have to upload the audio files and send them through another device.
  • TCJ
    Posts: 1,062
    I put the two cantor mics at the front of the loft and plug a USB drive into our sound system. It's not great, but it's a whole lot better than using my phone.
  • Steve QSteve Q
    Posts: 124
    Have any of you heard of or used a simple audio recording device that you could plant permanently somewhere in the church (say, somewhere high up on a pillar in the naive) and then activate remotely from an app or something on your smart phone or computer?


    There are handheld devices that can interface with your smartphone via Bluetooth such that you can control remotely the starting and stopping of the recording (among other functions). The Zoom H4essential Portable Recorder is an example. I believe in this case the Bluetooth interface is a plug-in that is sold separately. Some models have Bluetooth built in. You would need to install an app on your phone for the controls. Beware that distances from which you can control the device may vary. I haven't actually tried this myself, but it is possible.

    To download the recording from the device remotely, you may need a recorder with Wi-Fi file transfer capability (may be expensive) or which can connect to a wireless audio transmitter. I'm not very familiar with that.

    I usually buy my stuff from Sweetwater.com. When I have called them to discuss what I am looking for, they have always been great at steering me to the right product. Let us know if you find something!
    Thanked by 1Andrew_Malton
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