I need a portable Mp3 player for stage backup player to my laptop & for personal use that has a lit Screen & Great FAST Song Search feature that can hold 20g/40g of info.....

I like the new ipod 4th generation ipod with its click dial navagation, & was also looking at the Creative labs Zen touch models too.......can anyone suggest or have experience /advice/opinions on any other models?

thankyou

Dnj

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www.donnypesce.com

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-15-2004).]

Donny, I'm looking in the same direction. One feature that would be very useful, is a playback mode whereby each song played in a playback list would STOP (and NOT startup the next song) after playing. This is possible in Winamp, but I think not in the ipod.

Haven't tried the Ipod but I love my Creative Labs Jukebox 3. They have other versions that do not record also.
DonM

Hi!
Try Samsung! They also have a 20 Giga mp3 player that has LINE IN RECORDING with direct MP3 encoding!!! This is a very cool feature!! You can record direct from your keyboard and also you can do live recordings directly from your mixer. Another great feature of this gear is an FM transmiter!!! You can radio transmit your music to any FM radio!!
Hope that helps. www.fantasyband.ro

http://pcworld.pricegrabber.com/rating_getprodrev.php/product_id=3173505/id_type=M


I like what Im reading about the Creative Labs ZEN Mp3 player, reviews say it has a much better SOUND then the ipod?.....I'l check out the Samsung also asap I like the recording feature very kool.
http://www.i4u.com/article2407.html

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-15-2004).]

Count me in as another one looking for a reliable mp3 player to use with backings for solo work. Small, portable, ease of use and good sound are obvious needs. But the screen----to be able to read in low light situations is crucial. Those with experience in this area, please continue with your recommendations.

Scott...I read this and it has me concerned?..........

ipod has a major flaw, no one speaks about, November 15, 2004


Over time all rechargeble batteries fail and can no longer be recharged. (usually takes a year or two)
The IPOD battery is NOT user replaceable, and the ENTIRE IPOD has to be sent back to Apple and you pay a fee. ($107 with shipping)
If you read Apple's website fine print, they state that for the sake of quick turnaround time, they give you someone's elses IPOD.
>>>and because of this, they ERASE the harddrive and you have to redo all your songs, etc
>>>who knows how your "used" replacement IPOD was treated or if it was ever dropped.
I don't need all this aggravation just to replace a simple rechargeable battery.
You can versify this on Apple's website. (ipod support section)

There are plenty other brands just as good and for less cost that have USER replaceable rechargeable batteries.
So the only reason to get the IPOD is because you've been brainwashed by thier advertising.

Donny, as you ALREADY know , I really LOVE my 4G 40GB 'click wheel' iPod ! I've tried the other brands mentioned, and I feel 'no other' MP3 player out there offers the SPEED & EASE of pulling up any song(s) the way the Apple copyrighted 'click wheel' feature can. The click wheel feature allows you to operate the iPod with ONE hand alone. I hold it in my left hand, and place my left thumb on the wheel. I need only to spin my thumb around the wheel to search thru the song database. The faster I spin my thumb around the wheel, the faster it goes thru the database. VERY COOL ! Then use the same thumb to press (click) the wheel to load/play the song. How easy can you get. Apple's unique design is the clear winner here. imho.

Donny, I remember your concern about having to call up any song (in a HUGE database) in under 2-3 seconds. That's not possible with ANY MP3 player, or even on your PSR3000. The smaller the size of the database, the quicker it will be to locate. I can locate ANY (at random) song in my 5000 song database usually in UNDER 10 seconds. If I want to ensure finding it within 2-3 seconds, I would just create a PLAYLIST.

I use my iPod mostly to provide background music during breaks. I'm able to create 'on the fly' playlists from my over 5,000 song database, which enables me commercial versions of the songs I perform on that particular show, or more preferably, 'other' songs recorded by the same artist I might be showcasing that evening.

Though I don't do this myself, you can even create MP3 setlists to perform karaoke style with. I've seen a number of solo guitarists in my area that strap an iPod to their belt, and perform with their Guitar & small amp to backup music supplied by the iPod.

Scott

Scott Ive narrowed it down to the ipod 4th gen.....or the Creative labs Zen touch 20G is more then enough for what I need it for.


Hmmmmmmmmm? decisions

http://www.zdnet.com.au/reviews/coolgear/audio/0,39023372,20269338,00.htm

Back in the days before I used a laptop, I had some backing trax and audio files on Mini Disks. This was a terrific format - solid, stable, small ...... a great way to enhance the live stuff and handle DJ breaks.
I had one small problem though because I used to velcrow the player right on top of my keyboard, ( X1 back then )and teh vibrations from the speakers caused some erratic jumping during playback. I suppose it was because the MDs are magnetic based?

Anyway, my question to you iPoders is this:
Has there been any type of interferance, or glitches, or skips with these units? Do you ever rest the unit right on the kb? Do you have speakers in your kb?

OK, that's 3 questions. Sorry

The only reason for me to switch from the laptop would be if I could MOUNT this unit on the kb for even more portability. If there is a problem doing this, then the advantage is lost for me.
The laptop just works SO perfectly.
80-100 song titles in view at once. Folders in catagories all open and waiting for that "click" to arms. It's just too efficient to give up unless something really radical comes along.

dave, why not design a small ipod holder like the one we have for laptops on the X-stand somehow? I remember those Samsung Midi disc players we used to use on stage....the wheel navagation is very nice

LIke I said for now I ned it for backup in case the LT goes down.....but who knows it might be possible to Use the ipod or Zen in a realtime situation eliminating the LT altogether making our rigs even "smaller"

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-15-2004).]

A friend of mine has bought an iRiver and is very happy with it.
So maybe you can look at it also.
http://www.iriveramerica.com/

Jan

Donny: CALM DOWN !

Though Apple does indeed offers & encourages you to use THEIR battery replacement program (more $ for them right?), you CAN purchase and replace the battery yourself quite easily yourself. In fact, I know friends who have:
http://www.ipodbattery.com/
http://www.ipodbattery.com/ipod2k4install.htm



NOPE, I never have to worry about losing all my songs on my iPod for whatever reason, as with iTunes (iPod software manager), my everchanging & growing iPod song database (5000+ songs) is automatically kept backed up (synced) on my PC hard drive and stored on remote CD/DVD as well. If the iPod HD ever crashes or if my iPod ever gets stolen (heaven forbid ), I can quickly & easily get EVERYTHING back onto another iPod with a touch of a mouse click. Apple's got you covered.

Scott

Explain this i-tune thingy....I have no need for it I already have 5000 songs on my PC ready to load....


[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-15-2004).]

Gig Guys, the iPod is of course NOT A REPLACEMENT for a laptop. It can't display lyrics or play midi files, but what it DOES do: store, organize, and QUICKLY locate and play MP3 files with EASE & SIMPLICITY, is UNSURPASSED by any other MP3 player out there, bar none. Yes, the iPod may cost more than the competition, but I've researched and tried the others and their interfaces feel clumsy & awkward in comparison. Well worth the extra expense to me. I continue to be a VERY HAPPY iPod owner. - Scott

This worries my alot also Scott.....

That's a great and timely question. The 20GB Zen Touch takes the Creative line of hard drive players to a new level, thanks to the innovative and functional touch pad. It also looks and feels better than Zens of the past, and it has a battery life of nearly 27 hours. The Zen Touch will be a force, especially at $250. These days, you can get a 20GB iPod for less than $300, and it even includes a USB cable in the box. As for battery life, CNET Labs was able to get nearly 14 hours out of the iPod. Perhaps the deciding factor for you should be whether you already have a collection of WMA files, as they won't play on an iPod. (iTunes will convert your unprotected WMA files into iPod-friendly AAC files. Just remember that this conversion process will lower the quality of the original WMA files.)
http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Music/4521-6532_7-5021434-3.html?tag=more



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-15-2004).]

I put my Jukebox 3 on top of the keyboard a lot and it always works flawlessly. I record myself almost every night, using the internal battery. No need to take a power adapter. It will RECORD up to 6 or 7 hours. No telling how long it would play. And I don't even have the optional second battery. It records in your choice of several WAV or MP3 formats, and easily transfers to computer via the free program and USB. You can organize play lists easily.
I recharge the batteries in my car as I listen to the recordings on the way home. It also comes with AC Adapter/charger.
The Zen will most likely do everything you want, but it doesn't record.
Creative has wonderful customer support and issues software upgrades periodically. They are still supporting the orginal Jukebox 1, which has to be 5 years old by now.
DonM

For more on the iPod: http://www.ipodlounge.com/

The thing I like about the iPod is similar to the reason I like Yamaha arrangers. User friendly navigation, terrific sound, and most importantly, a HUGE user SUPPORT community. Check this out for EVERYTHING you need to know about iPod:http://www.ipodlounge.com/

As far as ripping format of choice, WMA and AA (apple) files unfortunately can only be played on specific brands/models of players, so I stay with MP3 format because it's remains the UNIVERSAL format supported by ALL brands of MP3 players. I ALWAYS rip at 192 kpbs for the best sound vs compression size, and use EAC: http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/

Scott

Don I hear ya ....the jukebox would be great for the recording and playng .....but I need the screen to see he song titles for sure on the screen.......

Ok Steve (Jobs): I'm awaiting that commision check you promised me now. - Scott

Donny, I'm really confident, you're going to 'fall in love' with the 4G 40GB iPod like I did. I'm addicted to it, and I keep it clipped to my belt day and night.

Of course, you COULD spend EVEN MORE $ and get the newest "iPod Photo" with color display, which would allow you to theoretically display 'song lyrics' on a TV screen while the MP3 song is playing. This would though would of course require you to create custom JPEG pics of song lyrics and load them into the "iPod Photo" unit.

Scott

Seems to me the Jukebox screen is at least as large as the Ipod. There is also a remote control available.
DonM

I'll call ya

FM transmiter?!??!!? It's just an FM TUNER!

Luis Santos

No, it has really an FM transmitter in it, so you can tune your car stereo.

Jan

I love the Creative Labs Jukebox 3. 11 hour battery life on one charge. Can hold two batteries for 22 hours. Here is the biggest feature; you can SLOW down music without changing pitch. This is great for making charts and studying solos. You can also buy hard disk upgrade kits up to 60 gig!

Al.....tell me more......what about searching while anoher song plays?.....how brite is the lit screen/size, easily readable? navagation/search up/down etc is important too...sound, record options?

thanx

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-15-2004).]

I actually rely on my CD/MP3 player, since sometimes I need to play a Audio CD when asked, and I couldn't do that on a portable MP3 player. My CD/MP3 player doesn't have a backlit LCD... and sometimes that's a problem.

Now... to help DNJ... if I was in the quest for a portable mp3 player, my choice would be the creative jukebox.
Why? Because of the line in input! Of course the IPOD is smaller and lighter but with the Jukebox You can record a performance directly to WAV format (that is: without any kind of compression), and burn a Audio CD later! That's great! That's like having a MP3 player and a excellent recorder (like you were recording to the computer)! A lot better than a Minidisc recorder, where compression is used.

Luis Santos

Scott, I thought you were using CDex, any reason for switching to EAC?

Glenn

http://mp3.radified.com/

EAC discussed

http://exactaudiocopy.de/


program



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-15-2004).]

Glenn, CDex is very good, but EAC offers MORE control, and provides (at least to my ears) slightly better sounding results as well. Once setup, EAC is just as easy to run as CDex, and BOTH of these terrific programs are 100% FREE. - Scott