Going up from H4

G

ggrantly

Veteran
Hello Listers,

Sorry to do this gear choice question, but I couldn't help myself.....

I want to upgrade from the H4 for handy capture in the field. I have a excellent laptop capture solution and want to stay very portable for this, but need phantom-xlr. When needed, I can use a mixer in front of the recorder.

My thoughts so far are the Tascam DR100 and the PDM661.

For me, sound, ruggedness, and interface are important in equal measure. Internal mics, not so much.

Can you suggest anything else, or help me choose between these two.

The Very Best Regards to the Audio Gang,
Grant
 
Zoom H4 has phantom power, so why trow it in the garbage to buy something similar like the Tascam DR100 if you can keep the recorder and buy a mixer improving A LOT your sound recordings?

Assuming that you have the original H4, the one with LINE INs, you are better served if you put a mixer in front of it IIHO.

If not, you can also keep your H4 and buy something like this:

http://www.artproaudio.com/products.asp?type=90&cat=13&id=132

...and record to your laptop. Either way I think it's a wrong upgrade just to trade the H4 for something like DR100 or PDM661. If you really want to go up the ladder choose between something like Tascam HD-P2 or Edirol R4, just to mention the cheapest solutions, or go directly to one of the SD recorders.

Cheers
 
Instead of buying a whole new unit with maybe only marginally better preamps, why not just buy a Sound Devices Mixpre and go line in to the H4? True it's not quite as convenient, but that way you'll keep the H4 and it's internal mics for quick stealth capturing and you'll have the full H4/Mixpre rig for high quality capture. The cool thing is that you can then use the Mixpre as a preamp in the studio for recording Foley or ADR. I've been thinking about doing this myself.
 
Thanks for the input.

Brad,
I have a Mixpre already, so mixing in front of the H4 isn't the issue. I just have a personal problem with the H4 and in particular the whole menu - operation scheme. That is just me, I know many people get along with it just fine.

Naavt,
I have begun using a Motu Traveler for laptop capture (which is working great), but still want a more portable option. The motu option is great for events where I wanted to untether the cam for freedom of movement, have more than two channels, and the Motu seems to have pretty good preamps. It is also feeding my monitors for editing. Good gear.

The HD-P2 is an option I considered, but it isn't a palm of the hand recorder and seems more suited to a bag....but is still a good option for well under a grand.

The few reviews out there have mentioned both the DR-100 and PDM-661 as "rugged". I am wondering how true that is?

Best Regards,
Grant
 
I'm in a similar boat. I currently run a MixPre into my H4n, and while it gives good results it's not perfect (minor headroom issues, H4n's junk headphone amp, and there's no easy way to tape the H4n and MixPre together without covering important features).

I'm looking at the 661 which doesn't have the headroom issues, seems more solidly built from what I've heard.

Although at that point a used 702T looking better and better as it adds 192kHz, better DACs, only a single unit, and obviously timecode.
 
Gohanto said:
Although at that point a used 702T looking better and better as it adds 192kHz, better DACs, only a single unit, and obviously timecode.
Click to expand...

Where do you find a used 702? I don't think I've ever really seen one… no one ever wants to sell their Sound Devices equipment. :violin:

I have a Sony PCM D50 and it is probably the most rugged of the compact recorders out there. It has a metal body so it can take some abuse. I also really love the metering, which is one of the reasons that I opted for this recorder along with high sound quality. The downsides are that is doesn't have XLR input (minijack only) and there is no phantom power. If you already have a Mixpre then those are less of an issue for you. You can also check out the new Sony PCMM10, which is just a lesser version of the D50 (which in turn is a lesser version of the D1 :grin:)
 
Gohanto, I share your pain.

Forget all the bells and whistles. Can't someone build a robust and compact recorder, with decent controls and interface, phantom, and passable pre-amps for under a grand. It seems like each manufacturer adds gimmicks for kid-rappers, but not higher quality for professional use. I suppose the bigger market for this genre is musicians, and the video-audio crowd has to settle for scraps.

Grant
 
ggrantly said:
The few reviews out there have mentioned both the DR-100 and PDM-661 as "rugged". I am wondering how true that is?
Click to expand...

I'm teaching (History of non-fiction film), at an art school where the sound department have 4 Marantz recorders. What I can say to you is that they have been repaired quite a few times in about 3 years or so.

On the other hand, the SD 702's are working fine until now despite the same lack of consideration for this gear from the students.

I assume that if you treat your gear well they all will endure many years of service. Don't expect the Mazantz to record for many hours on iceland though.
 
Brad S. said:
Where do you find a used 702? I don't think I've ever really seen one… no one ever wants to sell their Sound Devices equipment. :violin:

I have a Sony PCM D50 and it is probably the most rugged of the compact recorders out there. It has a metal body so it can take some abuse. I also really love the metering, which is one of the reasons that I opted for this recorder along with high sound quality. The downsides are that is doesn't have XLR input (minijack only) and there is no phantom power. If you already have a Mixpre then those are less of an issue for you. You can also check out the new Sony PCMM10, which is just a lesser version of the D50 (which in turn is a lesser version of the D1 :grin:)
Click to expand...

Lol, yeah it can be tricky to find. eBay and the Sweetwater Trading post are the places I've seen them posted most often. Occasionally on Jeff Wexler's board and RAMPS as well. I agree they don't come up too often though. I just don't have the money at the moment.

I wasn't aware of the PCMM10 though, I'll certainly give that some consideration. Thanks!
 
I have a 722 and love it. One of my best investments. 702, 722...Sound Devices in general, you can't go wrong.

...and they will hold their value if you ever do decide to sell it (which will never happen!).
 
ZazaCast said:
I have a 722 and love it. One of my best investments. 702, 722...Sound Devices in general, you can't go wrong.

...and they will hold their value if you ever do decide to sell it (which will never happen!).
Click to expand...
That's the great thing about high quality audio gear in general, advances are slow and even new gear doesn't greatly affect the sale price very quickly.

Kinda feel bad for the video guys by comparison.... :cry:
 
It would be great if Sound Devices entered the into the fray with an even more portable 2 track recorder. Basically a Mixpre with an option to record.
 
Gohanto said:
Lol, yeah it can be tricky to find. eBay and the Sweetwater Trading post are the places I've seen them posted most often. Occasionally on Jeff Wexler's board and RAMPS as well. I agree they don't come up too often though. I just don't have the money at the moment.
Click to expand...

I didn't think about the Sweetwater trading post. Thanks for the tip!
 
Brad S. said:
It would be great if Sound Devices entered the into the fray with an even more portable 2 track recorder. Basically a Mixpre with an option to record.
Click to expand...

I know they're replacing the 302 mixer with a mixer/recorder just like they did with the 442/552 in the future. Haven't said when or any specifics though.

Since it may be a little while until I have the money for that anyway, that's another option I'm considering especially for when I'm doing location sound.
 
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