I got this postcard in the mail yesterday about this little device called the Superscope. Their lower-end models are designed to help you practice by allowing you to slow down CD's up to 50 percent but keep the pitch intact so you can learn things at half speed. Nothing miraculous or new about this technology. But, what I found really interesting was that in their newer, slightly more expensive models, they allow you to record to CD's as well. You can use their built-in condenser mic (cool for recording a simple part while playing along to another CD in the built-in CD player) or you can use their stereo balanced (XLR and 1/4") lines in. I use a CD burner and a preamp to record my bands' live shows and rehearsals. Having those are invaluable for getting better. But, there are drawbacks that this unit really fixes. This is MUCH easier to haul because it is smaller. Because it has the built-in CD (play only) drive, you can make copies on the spot. Also, unlike a standard burner, you can listen back to anything just recorded - really helpful for setting levels and positioning of the machine. Because the thing has a built-in condenser, it makes it perfect for simple rehearsal recordings with no mics BUT the XLR in's mean I can use my better mics for live. The lower priced model is $699 and the more expensive one with a few cool extra features (playback review, one-button recording, remote, dual drives for each CD player/burner, metronome, tuner) is $899. I don't ever pimp products, but I would think this would come in particularly handy for bands who want to record themselves at shows, etc. http://www.superscope.net/
I use my minidisc recorder. I can't edit the end product, but I can dump it from the minidisc to a CD pretty easily. It cost me about $200 or so.
Used to be a pain, but I found some freeware that does the trick quite nicely. Still, I would like to upgrade to something less cludgy to use.
Man, we've gone through 2 mini disc players (one - in its destroyed state - is featured on the cover of our CD) and now a DAT player that records screachy, shrill noises over the music. I'm wondering if the Superscope would suffer the same fate as our mini disc players, i.e., beaten to pieces, or if it would actually work and thus please us enough to not destroy it ...
