Reddit mentions of Zoom H2 Handy Portable Stereo Recorder

Binaural recording is a good bet. Basically you use multiple microphones (or special mics) to record sound more like how your ears would hear it. That way when you play back, if two people are talking over each other, you would hear it in different headphones/speakers and it would be more like following a live conversation.

I recorded several game sessions using a Zoom H2 but I would expect that there are less expensive options (and possibly better-quality options by now), as I bought mine years ago.

Another method is the foam head method (I learned about this via Yog-Sothoth.com's various podcasts and game recordings). Basically you have a foam head at your table with microphones in its ears. Binaural recording with microphones placed approximately where human ears would be.

One thing I've found is helpful: do not keep the microphone directly on the same table on which you are playing. Dice rolls are thunderous explosions, every pencil scratch is heard, shuffled papers cover voices, etc. You can put it on the table with something soft underneath (piece of felt, napkins, towel, books) to prevent some of that noise.

It can take some getting used to for the people being recorded. I know at first I talked directly to the microphone, which meant I was louder than others who spoke more conversationally to each other. Some people are more likely to talk when there is a mic present, others may get quieter or contribute less. So that's just nontechnical stuff to be aware of.

Great job! I like this a lot.

If you can/are willing to invest in a better microphone that can handle higher frequencies, I would recommend a [Zoom H2] (http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H2-Portable-Stereo-Recorder/dp/B000VBH2IG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331504583&sr=8-2). They're relatively cheap, and handle voices well. I'm an opera singer, and I use it to record pretty much everything I do.

I've used one of these before:
www.amazon.com/Zoom-H2-Portable-Stereo-Recorder/dp/B000VBH2IG
It's a bit more portable than the netbook, and can record for hours with a big enough SD card.

I've had really good luck with my Zoom H2. I think they have a new model out now.

I do the tape monitor to the "line in" port on my Zoom H2 because I trust it more than my mic input on my laptop.

I take it you're looking at something for recording, since onboard sound is pretty good for listening and editing these days.

I don't know much about recording soundcards, so don't take this as gospel. But I can tell you that when I was looking into doing some basic music recording on my PC, the card options that came up started somewhere around $200. If you're recording vocals, you also need a microphone preamp and a good quality microphone at a minimum.

If these guys are serious musicians, they might already have most of what they need, and the soundcard is the last step. But they may also find what I did, which is that $400 worth of PC sound equipment still doesn't generate recordings as good as a decent handheld digital recorder like the Zoom H2. It's got the bonus of being an all-in-one unit that's very portable.

Try http://www.reddit.com/r/wearethemusicmakers for more informed opinions.

Would it be difficult to mount one of these in a rafter somewhere?

You definitely need an audio interface in addition to a mic, but there are decent USB mics now that combine the two. I prefer separate mics, but I commonly record with multiple mics.

If you can stretch your budget to something like a Scarlett Solo and an SM57 or one of the other mics recommended here, I'd go that route.

Barring that, I highly recommend the Zoom H2 or ny of it's variants. It's dependable, records in good quality, and it's easy to use. It also can hook into a computer and be a mini-interface. Even if you upgrade to better mics down the line you'll find this portable recorder very useful.

Have been using the same Zoom H2 to record myself for 4 years. LOVE it. Reviews are stellar as well. http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H2-Portable-Stereo-Recorder/dp/B000VBH2IG

I use WireTap Studio on my macbook pro (got it with MacHeist), hooked up to a cheap but well rated button mic on the table. Sound quality is much better than I expected for the price. When searching, it was easier to look for microphones that were reviewed for recording meetings.

The recordings help me to go back and remember the little details that I made up on the fly and get them written down before I forget them. I'm going to try to use the last 10 minutes or so at the beginning of the next session to remind everyone what happened last time and get back into play more quickly.

If I had more money, I'd look into getting one of these omni-directional recorders.

I kept waiting for something other than the incessant B flat (A sharp?), but it never happened. The biggest change-up came at 1:39, when you went to half-time...
Everybody's playing is all right, but there is so much room in the piece for more... um... variety; even shifting to the "4"(D sharp/ E flat) periodically would help.

How was this recorded?
The mix is bass-heavy; I usually like that, but here it buries most of the other instruments. The drums are hard to hear and the guitars sorta come & go.

If you're recording live with a single mic you might try experimenting with putting the mic in different locations. A few years ago, I tried recording a practice session using a Zoom H-2 recorder. The best recordings were with the unit about five feet outside the sliding glass door, with the door open.

I think your jam/ nascent song is off to a good start. It just needs to be fleshed out and developed more fully, and you'll have something!

I got this beasty and I like it..
http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H2-Portable-Stereo-Recorder/dp/B000VBH2IG

but maybe some reddit audiophiles can chime in...

I need a microphone recommendation, please.

I'm trying to mic a speaking set up with roughly 7 people around a table. I'm currently using this Zoom mic, which has been fantastic, but we want to up production value further. As far as I see it, I have 3 options:

1. Two cardioid hanging mics, a la http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/8660edbf634f9ce7/
   
   
2. An omnidirectional hanging mic, a la http://www.shure.com/americas/products/microphones/microflex/mx202-microflex-overhead-microphones
   
   
3. Wired lapel mics for everyone.
   
   Does anyone have any recommendations?

these comments are harsh. never ever look for positive feedback on reddit.
as far as the vocalist, its not necessarily bad, I just dont really care for that style of music. But I could see some people really digging it. Also, a lot of clarity is lost because of whatever terrible thing you used to record. for the small amount of people you have in your group, I really suggest buying a [zoom portable recorder] (http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H2-Portable-Stereo-Recorder/dp/B000VBH2IG/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1330587688&sr=8-11) these things are so incredible, and sound like sex. best of luck.

Looks like a Zoom H2 w/ a skin. Getting more excited now since I just ordered one a couple days ago and waiting for it to arrive.

I have used the Zoom H2 Handy for a while and it's pretty awesome. If it's in your price range, I'd recommend checking it out.

But I've never used anything else (my HS Jazz teacher recommended this to me).

Thought it might have been iMovie. You should invest in a better recorder, I recommend this. It's got surprisingly good sound quality. But other than that, keep on rockin'.

Also, I support the request for Philosophy by Ben Folds.

I use a zoom H2. It's a pocket recorder. You can get it for ~$100 on eBay

http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-H2-Portable-Stereo-Recorder/dp/B000VBH2IG

There is a newer version available online too

You don't need to worry about cables with this kind of field recorder.

If what you're looking to do is record random objects, I wouldn't recommend a USB mic. I'd more recommend something like this

It's a portable field recorder, I linked to the Edirol because I have one of the older models, and it's fantastic for exactly what you're looking to do. You can get good field recorders for cheaper as well, like the Zoom H2

..Also found this great article from B&H on handheld recorders linky.