Beachtek vs. Tascam DR-100 Line-out feed

[Sangye]

Is there any real benefit to using a Beachtek type audio adapter, over using something like the Tascam DR-100 feeding audio into my GH2 via the line-out jack? Since the DR-100 has dedicated line-out and headphone jacks, one wouldn't need to use a splitter or anything. And the added recording feature / built-in microphones of the DR-100 seem to put it well ahead of Beachtek audio adapters, while costing less.

The only possible drawback I can think of is that it eats through batteries a bit faster, but I'd just be powering it off of a high-mAh battery pack on my rig, anyway.

It seems like it's an easy decision, but am I missing something here?​

 

[ggrantly]

For recording something like a music venue (think loud), the DR100 mics are ok, but not great. They can record interviews when properly placed, but dedicated mics, properly positioned, are really needed to produce audio for video. I don't have comparison numbers, but I suspect a beachtek box that has preamps will offer more gain than the DR100. Dynamic mics and colder output phantom powered mics are pretty marginal into the DR100. If you put a mixer in front of the DR, that changes everything. I haven't used the gh2, but I don't suppose that is really wonderful for recording.

I suggest you take a step back, define what you need out of your recording, figure out what you really need to make that happen, make a budget, get some advice, and purchase wisely.

Grant