Audio Recorder Options

ollywood88

ollywood88

Well-known member
Hi Guys,

Hope your well.

Just need some pro opinions of sound options I have.

i HAVE a rode NTG2 and A zoom H4N but obviously the set up is way too quiet due to pre amps (Previous Post)

Options I have is:

1) Sell The ZOOM H4N and upgrade to a Juicedlink Box ( Worried about the size) I use rails and folow focus so this would not balanced well.
However I feel this is the better sounding option.

2) Sell The Zoom H4N and maybe go for a Tascam DR range but I hear the same problems with the RODE NTG2 mic.

3) Sell The Mic, Keep the zoom and Maybe upgrade or go for the Audio Technica.

I am swaying for the JuciedLinked Box at the moment.

Just need some opinions on my options.

Thank you
 
I would go with a JuicedLink Riggy RM222/RA222 which has good basic pre-amps that will work with almost any audio gear.

You don't have to mount the Riggy underneath your camera, as there should be lots of ways of mounting it to your rails or you can use a camera cage to mount it above or beside your camera.
 
My favorite pre to run into a DSLR is Sound Devices Mix Pre-D. It gives proper output and has great pre's.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I was looking at the JuicedLink RA202.. But obv doesn't have phantom power which is no power due to having a RODE NTG 2.
However for the extra cost I could try and make up ThE RA222 looks great, Using a 60D I MUST have a headphone jack. THE RIGGY Micro would have been great for me due to size if they only had a headphone jack grrr.

How are people mounting this. Is their a way of mounting it to your Tripod On the sound.. Instead of using a cage?

Thanks
 
...One small comment, the NTG-2 outputs a stronger signal when running from 48 volt phantom power instead of the built-in AA battery. ( it works just like the NTG-1 mic does when running from phantom power )
 
How about option 4 (which surely makes more sense given the professional quality your website describes), which is sell the Zoom H4n, and buy a decent preamp/mixer and a recorder with proper +4dBv line level input, and forget the 60D for sound (at best OK, and, as you say, critically lacking on the monitoring side)? As suggested already, a Sound Devices Mixpre-D would be very good, but if that is too expensive (or even complex) at present, why not go for an SD MM-1 or, even MP-1, which would given you the same SD preamps but for a single channel (the MM-1 would be more future-proof if you add a mixer later: with its headphone amp it makes for use by a boom-op, feeding a line-level to a mixer). There are several affordable recorders with proper +4dBv line level input. Cheers, Roland
 
The DR40 is decent low cost recorder the supports (nominal) +4dB inputs via 1/4" TRS and XLR combo connectors. With a Sound Devices front end, i can't hear any difference between the DR-40 and my 744. (all other input parameters being equal) But like most under $500 recorders, the preamps suck on their own.
 
ollywood88 said:
Thanks for the replies.


How are people mounting this. Is their a way of mounting it to your Tripod On the sound.. Instead of using a cage?

Thanks
Click to expand...

If you want to avoid a cage for frame, then you can mount the MixPre-D between your tripod and the camera.
 
Hi Everyone Thanks for all of your replies

I would love one of the sound devices products they are well made but a little pricey for me ATM.

Has anybody used
[h=1]BEACHTEK DXA-SLR PRO ?[/h]
Its cheaper but I am not sure how well it sounds ?
So far I am swaying towards the juicedlink.

Thanks
 
Your choice (or even location) of the microphone will have a FAR greater effect on "how well it sounds" than whatever difference (if any) between the "sound" of the Beachtek vs. JuicedLink (or even Sound Devices) products.
 
Richard Crowley said:
Your choice (or even location) of the microphone will have a FAR greater effect on "how well it sounds" than whatever difference (if any) between the "sound" of the Beachtek vs. JuicedLink (or even Sound Devices) products.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your replies quick update

I was going to maybe sell my rode ntg2 and get an me66 mic with k6 module

question how well does it perform with a tascam recorder?
I brought a ws6 windshield new for my rode ntg2 will this fit the me66 sennheiser ?

also regarding a juicedlink what is the dxa slr beachtek like as its cheaper than a ra202
thanks sorry for so many questions
 
FWIW to my ears the NTG-2 is a smoother sounding mic than the ME66 and in terms of position in the quality ladder I'd but them about equal. IMHO you'll be spending money without getting any significant gain. If you're going to spend money for a mic upgrade, I'd go far enough on up the chain to make it really worthwhile - something on the level of a Rode NTG-3 or a Sennheiser MKH416
 
ollywood88 said:
I was going to maybe sell my rode ntg2 and get an me66 mic with k6 module
Click to expand...


IMHO, The ME66 is not a very good sounding mic. We have one and the only time it gets used is when it is requested by someone reading a DSLR forum where someone posted how great it is. Bottom line.... It is not great!
 
Steve House said:
FWIW to my ears the NTG-2 is a smoother sounding mic than the ME66
Click to expand...

Yes, to my ears the ME66 sounds "tinny" with not much lower range.

Here's my hierarchy for low cost shotgun mics, from worst sounding to best sounding... ( keep in mind that a good mixer is essential )

ME66 ---> NTG-2 ---> MKE600 ---> NTG-3 ---> Sanken CS-3e or Sennheiser 8060
 
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