What do you use to capture the moment??

[Torch]

If you are like me, a song idea will hit you from out of nowhere. Some folks carry a voice recorder with them. Also, many of today's small MP3 players have a pinhole-sized built-in mic that actually records a voice or an instrument adequately. In the past, I have used everything from a small conference-style cassette recorder....to an actual Fisher Price cassette player/recorder (the intent being that if a child cannot break it, neither will I) to record any quick idea that comes to mind. After all, I find that if I do not record an idea at the very moment it hits me, I run the risk of forgetting the melody or words that I came up with. So please share with me....what "gear" do you use to quickly capture YOUR ideas?

Torch

[kclements]

I use my iPhone and an app called 4-Track. It is a great little app that allows 4 tracks to be recorded and can export the files as audio files that I can then import into Logic if needed. Sometimes I sing into it, or play out the piano part. Then, I can arm the second track and "sing" out a drum pattern.....

Works great for me.

[matto]

I call my answering machine (from my cell) and leave myself a message...essentially free and works like a charm...

[Kolstad]

I use my trusty Roland R-09 for melodies, and a paper notepad for lyric ideas. The 09 is great, as it's 48khz, 24bit and I can use it as a sampler as well. The notepad is.. well, a notepad

[eeoo]

I use the memo voice recorder on my cell phone, actually sounds pretty cool in an extrememly lo-fi way.
eo.

[jonathanm]

I call my answering machine (from my cell) and leave myself a message...essentially free and works like a charm...

Ditto.

[mojobone]

A pencil.

[cardell]

I use the memo voice recorder on my cell phone, actually sounds pretty cool in an extrememly lo-fi way.
eo.

I do this too.

Stuart

[gitarrero]

when I'm in the studio: I just sing/play the idea (oftern very roughly..) into a sm 58 that stands on my desk.

when I'm not in the studio (...that's not too often anyway..): I call my answermachine & quickly sing it on it.

[ckbarlow]

I walk to work and often capture stuff then using the simple recorder app on my iPhone (free).