Hello everyone!
Recently I have made a huge leap in my mobile recording tech (GAS is real!)
This is Zoom H8 Field Recorder
First I tested it out a bit at home, comparing different inputs like High-Z with a jack and D.I. out from my DG VU.
The thing uses three “apps” to record.
Field : Which gives an overall view of all channels but not super much to configure like EQ Effects ecc
Music : Which gives you a fader view for each channel and you can add “Effect Patches” or Set EQ separately. However the screen shows 4 channels at time and I couldn’t figure out how to set the patches for each track separately. I wouldn’t want a Acoustic Guitar setting on my bass input (not on a Tuesday!)
Podcast: This app is not very interesting for me but it shows 4 pads to play instantly audio samples (like jingles or sound effects) which would be cool for anyone I guess. Might be interesting for a live set.
Yesterday I have arrived to my Group Jazz class 30 minutes early to set everybody up! I placed a Stereo mic (Zoom H2n) near the drums and went in stereo. Connected 3 guitar combo amps from D.I outs and my trusty DG VUB again with DI-OUT. Used the Integrated XY capsule to get an ambient sound and record what the teacher was commenting.
Only 2 out of 6 inputs are XLR-TRS Combo other four are only XLR so I had to use many adapters like:
Rode VXLR: Stereo 3.5mm(1/8") to Mono XLR Male (to connect a mixer output)
Female Jack TS/TRS to XLR Male ( To connect a balanced TRS jack or unbalanced TS jack)
3,5mm(1/8") stereo TRS to 2 x 6.3mm(1/4") TS (To connect stereo input to two combo jacks)
Since it is actually a classroom the acoustic is really unreliable and I did not have time for a sound check as people were coming in late switching amps between pieces mingling with the volumes ecc… I had headphones but did not put them on while playing since I did not want it to distract my playing. In the end I relied a lot on the dB bars of Zoom for not being too low or higher than -12dB
Here is me showing off right after the recording.
The next day I took the files from Zoom and my tablet on which I have Audio Evolution Mobile Studio App. If you are working on android this thing is a must have! After I get more comfortable with it I will be recording directly to the tablet I think!
Here is one of my first mix attempts 
The scope of this mix is not to create a perfect recording for publishing but letting anyone who has played to hear themselves and others good enough. I did only general mixing to allow the dynamic decisions to be better identified and did not do any EQ (because I am lazy)
This new way of recording will also give me the possibility to create backing tracks for any instrument (especially bass) with real live registrations which is non existent for many jazz standards. As I get good results I will start publishing them on my youtube channel.
This evening I have a rehearsal with my Jazz band in a proper studio so I think that one will have much better results!
Last but not the least it fits perfectly into the abs case that came with my Behringer XM8500 and got that one only for 20€. It couldn’t be better!
