Exaspirating!

[NWBasser]

Yesterday after work I got around to jamming on the LP for awhile. Just destressing from work.

Anyhow, after playing a few covers, I fell into this really cool riff that I know I'll never remember again.

This has happened many times to me on both guitar and bass. I have a cool idea going and ... then as soon as I unplug, it's gone!

I think it would be cool if someone developed an amp with a built-in digital recorder that would turn on everytime with the amp and save everything to some massive storage device. I'd go for that!

Granted, most of what I spew out is crud, sometimes I hit on a gem worth keeping.

[Plank_Spanker]

I do that all of the time and it is frustrating!

Short of recording every time I play, I have no easy answer.

[Spudman]

I think it would be cool if someone developed an amp with a built-in digital recorder that would turn on everytime with the amp and save everything to some massive storage device. I'd go for that!

Granted, most of what I spew out is crud, sometimes I hit on a gem worth keeping.

Get a Digitech Jam Man or Line 6 JM4. Easy capture and easy transfer. Well worth the price.

[FrankenFretter]

Get used to it, Jason. This is what happens once you reach the forty-something mark. I'm lucky if I can remember to draw breath on a regular basis.

Try humming it after you play it, until you can hum into some kind of recording device, like your old reel-to-reel.

Welcome to your midlife. Enjoy the ride.

[Ilovecheapguitars]

I record everything on my laptop using audacity. the quality sucks because I don't have any sort of port (line 6, M-audio) but whenever I come up with something cool, that's where I put it until I get a chance to come back to it and write a song around it.

[Eric]

This same thing happened to me over Christmas. I brought my acoustic up to Boston while visiting my relatives and came up with something decent sounding. Now, while I remember the progression, I have no clue what it sounded like and can't recreate it.

I guess I'm not offering solutions as much as I am commiserating. Maybe we should both bring some portable recording with us wherever we go.

[Commodore 64]

I don't think I've ever played anything worth saving.

[NWBasser]

I actually have Korg D4 Digital multi-track recorder. I'm just too lazy to set it up to record when I'm noodling around.

It's not the easiest device to edit things with and I'm thinking some sort of simple computer program might be a good idea.

Also, when I do set up for recording it seems I can't play anything decent.
The mic is on and I feel I have to do something good rather than just relaxing and letting the music come out.

[Plank_Spanker]

I'm thinking about buying one of those Zoom portable recorders. They're not huge money, and they record decently - I'm not looking at production values recording a practice session.

Just turn it on and go, upload the recording to your machine when you're done.

[FrankenFretter]

I don't think I've ever played anything worth saving.

Ditto. Maybe someday...

[Zip]

Here's an interesting (+ pretty cheap) solution - Blue microphones' [make the best mics ever, IMHO] "Mikey". It plugs into your iPod and turns it into a recorder. Here's a link (http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Mikey/).

Small enough to keep in your pocket, you probably have an iPod anyway, and you can record whatever/whenever. It's a shame to lose those grooves. They run through my head constantly (sometimes like a herd of....)

[Tibernius]

Have you considered one of these?

http://line6.com/backtrack/

Haven't tried one myself, seems like a good idea though.

[evenkeel]

I'm thinking about buying one of those Zoom portable recorders. They're not huge money, and they record decently - I'm not looking at production values recording a practice session. Just turn it on and go, upload the recording to your machine when you're done.

Second that. I do not own one, but have the heard solo acoustic stuff and electric bands recorded. Very impressive results.

[syo]

My recommendation is the Olympus LS-10. Extremely portable with excellent mics. Just switch it on before your practice. If nothing worth keeping comes out of the session, just delete. Just checked the price at Amazon and was amazed to find it for almost half the price I paid for it when it first came out.:what :thwap
http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-LS-10-Linear-PCM-Recorder/dp/B0012754UG
It's an exceptional field recorder, great for live events too. Zoom is good but this is really special gear.

[Spudman]

I'm thinking about buying one of those Zoom portable recorders. They're not huge money, and they record decently - I'm not looking at production values recording a practice session.

Just turn it on and go, upload the recording to your machine when you're done.


BingO! These seem like a great solution.

[kiteman]

When I jammed I don't remember what I did or how but I didn't worry about it. I'm not trying to make songs but I did have a few that I worked on and memorized. I meant my guitar playing to be spontaneous and hit "wrong" notes that carried well but soon to be forgotten.

I guess that's what keeps the guitar from being boring. 20 minute solos anyone? :D

[oldguy]

BingO! These seem like a great solution.

They now have one that does video, too.

[NWBasser]

My recommendation is the Olympus LS-10. Extremely portable with excellent mics. Just switch it on before your practice. If nothing worth keeping comes out of the session, just delete. Just checked the price at Amazon and was amazed to find it for almost half the price I paid for it when it first came out.:what :thwap
http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-LS-10-Linear-PCM-Recorder/dp/B0012754UG
It's an exceptional field recorder, great for live events too. Zoom is good but this is really special gear.

This seems like a great solution. I've heard very good things about the Zoom and if this is better at a competetive price, then it may be just the ticket.

Thanks much!

[syo]

This seems like a great solution. I've heard very good things about the Zoom and if this is better at a competetive price, then it may be just the ticket.

Thanks much!

Honestly, I tried the Zoom H4 which was almost half the price of the Olympus at the time. It was quite good but still I opted for the Olympus for it's portability, ease of use and what turned out to be superior mics. Really that price is a steal. The Zoom does have XLR connection with phantom power which is a plus but doesn't seem too relevant for what you want to do which is to easily capture ideas.
Either way though, you'll be good. Good luck!

[sunvalleylaw]

I am thinking of this with my iPhone: http://www.wired.com/listening_post/2008/11/a-four-track-re/

But I rarely would record while not near my computer, so I am not sure it is necessary for me. I guess if I was just jamming, and had an idea going, and did not want to take time to set up the mic and toneport . . .

[vroomery]

This things are pretty cool.

http://www.bluemic.com/snowball/

http://www.google.com/products?q=blue+snowball&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=XiRES9LlOc2Utgeor-iKCQ&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CDAQrQQwAg

It's called a Blue Snowball from Blue microphones. USB powered so you don't need an interface, but gets a pretty decent sound. Much better than that of a built in laptop mic or even an sm57/58. Doesn't solve the problem if you don't have a computer with you, but if you do its a great solution.

[Lev]

or maybe this....

http://line6.com/backtrack/

[guitartango]

I have a simple solution: Record it using your mobile then import it into some sort of wav to midi converter. This way you can then import it into Tuxguitar or Guitar pro and it's already tabbed for you. :applause

[FrankenFretter]

Analog is the way of the future. Here's what's high-tech and hot right now:


http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/micymouse/300px-Reel-to-reel_recorder_tc-630.jpg