recording off line out

[surreyfrog]

Showing my age now but there was I time I used to record off an amplifier using tape out to a tape deck.

Nowadays tape recording is a thing of the past , but as I am about to get a Naim Uniti which includes radio I've started thinking about recording, and how on earth it is done these days!

So really a simple question. THe UNiti has, I believe, an analog line out which I presume is like the old fashioned tape out - so let's say I have the Uniti playing a radio channel like say a radio 3 concert - what can I use as a recording device fed from the line out which I can then replay back through the Uniti?

 

[abacus]

You can listen and download most radio online, so there is less need for recorders, however, pop down your local pro music shop (Or online store) and you will find a boatload of digital recorders available, as well as many audio interfaces for tablets, phones etc.

For recording, you have never had it so good (Or in such high quality) than what’s available today.

Hope this helps

Bill

 

[jjbomber]

what can I use as a recording device fed from the line out which I can then replay back through the Uniti?

Edirol R-09HR would be my suggestion. They pop up on ebay quite often.

 

[surreyfrog]

Thanks for your and the previous poster's suggestions.

I took a look at the specs for the Eridrol, and also the Sony PCM M10

So, the way it looks is I would plug a lead from the amp's line out into the recorders line in then record.

I would like to be able to play back by plugging the recorder's output straight into one of the amp's inputs.

The amp has digital in, which presumably would be best for sound quality as it uses the amp's DAC; however the recorders don't appear to have a digital out, except for file transfer.

So am I right in thinking that for playback I have two options - (1) from the recorder's analog out into the amp's analog in - presumably the downside being that this uses the recorder's DAC which may mean a lesser sound quality, (2) connect the recorder to a laptop via USB, and drag the music in file format onto the laptop, then use whatever means to get the music from the laptop in digital format into the amp's digital input.

I have always resisted using a computer in the playback chain, in the past playing from vinyl or CD, and would still like to avoid doing so, but maybe I have to bite the bullet if option (2) above gives the best sound quality. The reason I have avoided a computer is that it seems to bring about it's own complications - special software, network setup, storage devices and so on, I know people like that but I like to keep things simple. Life in general is complicated these days and I like to listen to music to get me away from life's complications, not to add to them!

 

[MajorFubar]

Why don't you just stream it? The reason you don't generally find recorders of any kind in hifi systems any more is there is generally no need to use one out outside of specialist applications, such as home/field recording. Everything [well more or less] is available on demand online.

 

[surreyfrog]

Why don't you just stream it? The reason you don't generally find recorders of any kind in hifi systems any more is there is generally no need to use one out outside of specialist applications, such as home/field recording. Everything [well more or less] is available on demand online.

I guess it's the idea of being able to tune into a radio station, say an FM broadcast of a live concert, or even DAB come to that, and record it there an then

 

[jjbomber]

(2) connect the recorder to a laptop via USB, and drag the music in file format onto the laptop, then use whatever means to get the music from the laptop in digital format into the amp's digital input.

I just take the SD card out of the Edirol and plug the card into the laptop. I then use a Turtle Beach Micro II from the USB and connect an optical from the Turtle Beach to the amplifier. I therefore use the DAC in the amplifier, ironically a Naim Uniti. You could also burn from the SD card to a cd-r if you prefer.

 

[MajorFubar]

Why don't you just stream it? The reason you don't generally find recorders of any kind in hifi systems any more is there is generally no need to use one out outside of specialist applications, such as home/field recording. Everything [well more or less] is available on demand online.

I guess it's the idea of being able to tune into a radio station, say an FM broadcast of a live concert, or even DAB come to that, and record it there an then

It's just a different mindset. You can listen live on FM, DAB or online, but if you don't or can't listen live, all the BBC stations are available 'on demand' (ie play what you want when you want, more or less) either online or using a radio-streaming app such as iPlayer Radio. Generally the need to record a radio broadcast live in real time so you can play it back later has passed, certainly with BBC stations. Having said that, outside the BBC you probably have a point.

 

[iMark]

I still do a little bit of recording of analogue sources. These days it's mainly the recording of records, but I could do the same thing with the tuner.

I use an old Minidisc deck for the analogue to digital conversion. (I could of course record to a Minidisc, but I only use the deck as an ADC). The deck is connected to the tape out of the stereo receiver. I then use a Toslink cable to connect the deck to an old Mac with an optical input. I make the actual recordings on the Mac, which I then transfer to the iTunes library.

Sometimes I record BBC radio shows on our Humax cable DVR. Very easy to set a timer recording. I also have an Elgato Hybrid stick with which I could record analogue cable FM too.

Not like the old days though, with a cassette deck at the ready to record something. Some of my best recording were made though with a stereo VHS recorder. I have some excellent classical concerts somewhere..... The VHS was great for audio recording because all I had to do was set the timer to record the tuner. Only downside was that the stereo receiver had to be on while recording. Fortunatly my old Yamaha receiver had a rec out selector so I oculd listen to another source while recording, just like my current Yamaha R-S500.

 

[cse]

I don't think anyone has so far addressed thr problem. Listening to BBC iplayer does not preserve the recording, its only available for about a week for live concert from BBC3. I also listen exclusively to classical, in a room away from the internet and would like to record BBC3, but have not been able thus far, to come up with any viable alternative to simple recording of the past of a live performance in order to preseve it, without any type of screen.

 

[cse]

Radio 3 concerts are not available to download as podcasts.

 

[cse]

I believe that he is looking for a solution that does not invlove laptops (thank goodness).

 

[MeanandGreen]

I would suggest a CD Recorder. You can use CD-RW discs and keep on reusing them if you don't want to keep the recording. Or you can rip the recording to your computer from the disc.

Radio apps allow us to replay material for a certain length of time, but keeping it means we need to record it.

I have a CD-Recorder in both of my systems, I record vinyl via analogue & some streamed material digitally. They double up as great DAC's for my iMac and iOS devices too. Personally I wouldn't want the option a recorder being taken away from my Hi Fi systems, something important would be sadly lacking IMO.

 

[cse]

I would suggest a CD Recorder.

I

Sounds sensible. What CD recorder would you recommend?

 

[cse]

[

[/quote]

I just take the SD card out of the Edirol and plug the card into the laptop. I then use a Turtle Beach Micro II from the USB and connect an optical from the Turtle Beach to the amplifier. I therefore use the DAC in the amplifier, ironically a Naim Uniti. You could also burn from the SD card to a cd-r if you prefer.

[/quote]

This really doesn't sound loke progress!

 

[MeanandGreen]

I would suggest a CD Recorder.

I

Sounds sensible. What CD recorder would you recommend?

If you're happy to go second hand I would 100% recommend a Pioneer PDR-509 or PDR-609.

I've had my 509 since new in 2000 and my, 609 for almost a year second hand. Both very well built and utterly reliable machines. They produce identical copies from any source and I really do mean indentical.

They are very easy and intuitive to use and have a comprehensive list of features which are all worthwhile. Good on board D/A and A/D conversion. Optical and coaxial digital inputs & outputs, as well as analogue RCA in/out and monitoring facilities.

Ebay always has plenty of choice in good condition.

 

[cse]

Thanks i'll look them. Do they still make them?

 

[jjbomber]

Thanks i'll look them. Do they still make them?

AFAIK, only Teac still make CD Recorders.