Buying an external recorder...

B

Bacon!

New member
I have enough money at the moment to get a DR100 MKII with the NTG2 shotgun mic. I've heard a lot about the gain of this microphone. I'm wondering if I would be better off saving some more and getting a more expensive external recorder (such as the PMD661) or if I'd be better of buying the DR100 MKII and then picking up a preamp later. Which would end up providing better quality in the end? I'm very new to external audio solutions, and I'm looking for a dual system because I have a 60D. Reading this forum has been extremely helpful with learning about all of this :D
 
if you're doing those "studentfilm, no-budget projects" things.... You could help yourself with a DR100 and a NTG2. 48kHz, stays 48kHz, 24bit stays 24bits. The biggest difference is in how it goes from analoge to digital, how the "falt-correction" is, how the pre-amps are and the way how to handle it. You can also buy a 2 channel mixer to have better pre-amps.

If you're doing stuff where people pay you (for a living), don't save your money to much. I think the DR100 can do good things with a good mixer in front of it.
The zoom H4N is also good. (as in "not bad"... a sound device or cantar would be much better, but to do those kind of "jobs, but bot to expensive please", a Zoom H4N, DR100 can help you a lot)

And at the end... nobody cares if it's a zoom or DR100 or Cantar or Fisherprice....as long as the sound is good.
 
Bacon,

You didn't mention whether you were using a DSLR or a conventional camcorder. If you are a DSLR shooter, an external recorder is the best way to go IMHO. The DR100 is a decent recorder (I have one) and a mixer in front like a MixPre, or 302 will really make a huge difference.

If you have a real camcorder, have you considered recording to cam? Although camcorder recording usually isn't as pristine as an external, one thing they do offer (usually) is stronger preamps. A camcorder with mixer in front is entirely viable for dialogue recording.

Also, since you didn't mention it, besides the mic, you will be needing suspension, wind protection, headphones, and probably a pole. Camera mounting a mic, unless you have no choice, is a bad thing.

Grant
 
The Tascam DR40 is pretty good to capture sound if you can get a decent mixer. So that would shave a bit off your budget. It is always good to have a good mixer if you can.
 
ggrantly said:
Bacon,

You didn't mention whether you were using a DSLR or a conventional camcorder. If you are a DSLR shooter, an external recorder is the best way to go IMHO. The DR100 is a decent recorder (I have one) and a mixer in front like a MixPre, or 302 will really make a huge difference.

If you have a real camcorder, have you considered recording to cam? Although camcorder recording usually isn't as pristine as an external, one thing they do offer (usually) is stronger preamps. A camcorder with mixer in front is entirely viable for dialogue recording.

Also, since you didn't mention it, besides the mic, you will be needing suspension, wind protection, headphones, and probably a pole. Camera mounting a mic, unless you have no choice, is a bad thing.

Grant
Click to expand...

I suppose I should have clarified -- I have a Canon 60D, which is indeed a DSLR. Thankfully I've already accounted for the suspension/wind protection/boom pole/headphones.
 
I'll also throw out the same advice I always do.
Partner with a sound guy. it is IMPOSSIBLE to run a camera and record really good sound at the same time. It's also pretty much impossible to record good sound by handing the boom pole to the first random person on set. The sound guy is the equal of the DP. If you're shooting a doc in a war zone, OK, if you're shooting weddings and having a sound guy just isn't an option, OK, but in most circumstances finding someone as into audio as you are into cameras is the best move you'll ever make.
 
gonzo_entertainment said:
I'll also throw out the same advice I always do.
Partner with a sound guy. it is IMPOSSIBLE to run a camera and record really good sound at the same time. It's also pretty much impossible to record good sound by handing the boom pole to the first random person on set. The sound guy is the equal of the DP. If you're shooting a doc in a war zone, OK, if you're shooting weddings and having a sound guy just isn't an option, OK, but in most circumstances finding someone as into audio as you are into cameras is the best move you'll ever make.
Click to expand...

+1 :thumbsup: ...except for the impossible to run camera and record good sound....tough, YES IT IS... PITA, YES SIR....but I do it all the time.


That said, I swear by my Sound Devices 722. It cost a bit, but some of the best money I've ever spent!
If you're in this for the long haul, well worth the investment.
 
Basically my original questions boils down to this:

Should I get the DR100 MKII and pick up a better preamp down the line
OR
Should I save up some more and get the PMD661?
 
Bacon! said:
Basically my original questions boils down to this:

Should I get the DR100 MKII and pick up a better preamp down the line
OR
Should I save up some more and get the PMD661?
Click to expand...

If you're even considering getting something better than the DR-100mkII, then do it. However, I'd look seriously at the Fostex FR-2LE. Better pre-amps, and a much more friendly/less clumsy form factor. You can still upgrade to a better front-end (mixer, like the SD 302) later.

Another option is to go with the DR-40, which is (in my opinion) a much better bang-for-the-buck value than the DR-100mkII, which opens up some leeway for a better shotgun (like the NTG-3). And it still leaves the forward-looking ability to add a mixer later. It is not, however, a bag-friendly form factor. Hand-held recorders are just a little awkward to handle in the field for most applications.

But when it comes down to it, start with the best that you can if you're serious about building up an audio kit.
 
Alex H. said:
If you're even considering getting something better than the DR-100mkII, then do it. However, I'd look seriously at the Fostex FR-2LE. Better pre-amps, and a much more friendly/less clumsy form factor. You can still upgrade to a better front-end (mixer, like the SD 302) later.

Another option is to go with the DR-40, which is (in my opinion) a much better bang-for-the-buck value than the DR-100mkII, which opens up some leeway for a better shotgun (like the NTG-3). And it still leaves the forward-looking ability to add a mixer later. It is not, however, a bag-friendly form factor. Hand-held recorders are just a little awkward to handle in the field for most applications.

But when it comes down to it, start with the best that you can if you're serious about building up an audio kit.
Click to expand...

The FR-2LE is indeed still an open option for me -- I haven't looked into the higher-end recorders much. I agree with your advice, and think it'd be better in the long run if I went with a more expensive recorder -- it'd be easier to expand my kit with a good foundation.
 
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