File Name Question

J

Jim Simon

Veteran
Is anyone aware of a 4 channel portable recorder (built-in mic plus XLR inputs) that can be set to name the files using the date/time?

I shoot using the BMPCC, which names the clips this way. It would be a great convenience if I could find an audio recorder that also names the files using date/time for easy syncing in post.
 
You could also use a file renaming utility to make the time stamp the file name or add the time to the name. I've done that in the past.
 
You can just name them that way. You could also run time of day timecode that time stamps the files. I know having done dialogue editing I prefer to have the file names have at least the scene and take number, as I'm less concerned about the actual time of day it was shot. With proper sound reports and a script supervisor this is all taken care of, and higher end machines can even mark circle takes. If you have a multi-track recorder you can even name the tracks with the talent name or character name. It makes knowing what the content of the file is much easier.
 
This is pretty basic event work I'm doing. Nothing fancy. I'm just looking for a portable recorder that can name the files using date/time.

The Roland R-05 does this by default, but it's only a 2 channel recorder. I want a 4 channel that can do the same.
 
AFAIK, most of the Tascam DR series have the date name option, the time should be in the metadata.
tascam file list.jpg
 
Well, the Zoom F4 does default to the file names you want (that can be changed). If you absolutely need built in mic's you can use one of the Zoom plug in microphone modules (but that makes it a 6 track recorder). Overkill for my needs too, but I do love the thing, where else do you get a truly professional level recorder for that kind of money?
 
What about a Tascam DR-70D or DR-701D? They have built in mics. I couldn't confirm if they name the file names the way you want, though.
 
graywolf said:
Well, the Zoom F4 does default to the file names you want (that can be changed). If you absolutely need built in mic's you can use one of the Zoom plug in microphone modules (but that makes it a 6 track recorder). Overkill for my needs too, but I do love the thing, where else do you get a truly professional level recorder for that kind of money?
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Actually the Zoom F4 is an eight track recorder.

And while you might think it is "overkill" now, wait until you get it!! :-D Then you'll discover and learn heaps of handy features which you'll like and want!
 
davefisk said:
What about a Tascam DR-70D or DR-701D? They have built in mics. I couldn't confirm if they name the file names the way you want, though.
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However why the insistence of having built in mics? It would only be an inferior choice to selecting the right external mic for the job.

But yes, as mentioned, the F4 with an accessory can have a kind of "built in" mic.
 
IronFilm said:
Actually the Zoom F4 is an eight track recorder.

And while you might think it is "overkill" now, wait until you get it!! :-D Then you'll discover and learn heaps of handy features which you'll like and want!
Click to expand...


While the F4 does actually record up to 8 tracks, the stereo output track is more of a safety track, you can only record 6 inputs. Tracks 5/6 are line in only, so you would need some kind of preamp to record them with a normal microphone. Zoom does have a XLR module that you can plug into those tracks, but it does not seem to have a preamp in it. I keep wondering if with the FRC8 you can use the 7/8 lines as a master output level control.

I ordered my F4 when they came out, and still have not figured out all the features. But to be honest, I could get by without it, being a hobbyist only. My thinking when I bought it was that I might need to use more than two wireless mic's some times, and that it would be great for recording nature tracks (it is).
 
IronFilm said:
However why the insistence of having built in mics
Click to expand...

1. I need nat sound and a board feed recorded simultaneously on one device.
2. I need remote control access to start/stop functions. (Wireless preferred, but wired accepted.)
3. I need portability, ease of setup and use.
4. I want files named using date/time.
5. I'm looking in the $300 and under range.

The Zoom H4n and Tascam DR-40 are perfect, except for point 4. I'm asking if a device exists that can satisfy all 5.
 
graywolf said:
Tracks 5/6 are line in only, so you would need some kind of preamp to record them with a normal microphone. Zoom does have a XLR module that you can plug into those tracks
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Not a big deal at all, as Tracks 5/6 are usually wireless anyway. So makes next to no difference at all.
 
Jim Simon said:
In this particular case, overkill means "too expensive".
Click to expand...


Look at it from the perspective that you're getting awfully close to 633 functionality but at a tiny tiny fraction of the cost! :-o


Jim Simon said:
The Zoom H4n and Tascam DR-40 are perfect, except for point 4. I'm asking if a device exists that can satisfy all 5.
Click to expand...

A person would either be incredibly idiotic or horribly badly informed/ignorant to buy a Zoom H4n in 2017!!! :-o
 
IronFilm said:
Not a big deal at all, as Tracks 5/6 are usually wireless anyway. So makes next to no difference at all.
Click to expand...

You are making assumptions based on how you work, and that is generally a mistake when giving advice.

Personally I would hardly ever be using wireless on 5/6 on an F4.
 
Noiz2 said:
You are making assumptions based on how you work, and that is generally a mistake when giving advice.

Personally I would hardly ever be using wireless on 5/6 on an F4.
Click to expand...

What 5/6 would be good for, that is not mentioned in the manual, is input from a house mixer. The one thing I do not use it for is RTN, as by the time I have the extension cable from the camcorder to the F4 I simply plug the headphones into the cable. And the camcorder headphone output is actually louder than the F4's.

As I am trying to get myself and my equipment sorted out, I am thinking that track one is for the shotgun mic, tracks 3 & 4 for the radio mic's, which leaves track two as a spare just in case I need another mic. 5/6 as a feed from a mixer if needed. By the way, according to the manual, 5/6 is +4; now, why would that be the only +4 line on the recorder?
 
If I was using radio mic.'s then they are a good fit for 5/6, but I would probably be using the Mix Pre to feed 5/6, which makes the F4 a 6 channel recorder with 6 mic pres.
 
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