Mixer/Recorder Combo setup

B

bob15489

Active member
I have been reading this forum for a while now and finally registered. I'll start off by saying the dreaded, "I'm new to sound." My girlfriend and I are starting up production on self-distributed shorts. She has a film degree from UCSB and her sister used to date an actual location sound mixer so I have some idea on what it takes. I am a network engineer so I really like the idea of using laptops to record double-system (which I have had great luck with so far using a MOTU MIDI timepiece for SMPTE). Our next project is likely going to be a documentary and I have several friends getting married this summer and want us to be the videographer. This works out because I basically need to do all this with a bag now.

Here goes with what I'm looking at:

1) I've been reading about the Tascam HD-P2 and it looks like it has all the features I'm looking for (timecode being a big one) at a decent price. I'll be just reading timecode out of the camera since we can't exactly slate a wedding so the lack of timecode out is ok. What is the general feeling about this recorder?

2) I will also then be needing a mixer to put up front. I know the Sound Devices 302 is the way to go but it's a bit out of budget. I was thinking along the lines of the PSC Promix 3. I understand the differences between the two as far as features go, but how do they both sound?

Keep up all the good work you guys do here!!
 
Yeah, seems like that's the way to go. Since I'm not going to get paid for the immediate use of this setup (friend's weddings) I'll just have to roll no mixer and hold off a bit on the 302. Thanks for the input!
 
Has anyone seen this mixer/recorder?

Has anyone seen this mixer/recorder?

I was looking for an on-location audio set up and came across the iMultiMix 8 USB which will be available this June. The price is going to be around $299 I think. Even though it won't compare to the two mixers you guys mentioned still it may be a good option for those on a tighter budget.
 
if you are looking at software setups the metacorder has been used quite successfully on some very large proejcts.

the people at gotham sound were one of the first people i heard of using/recommending the metacorder.

they also have some great articles on their website talking about the setup and setup options for hardware plus some articles about some of the movies that they setup metacorder systems for.

http://www.gothamsound.com/main.shtml?page=archive

one of the articles talks about how to use the onyx firewire interface without needing to get the onyx mixer!

they tell you how to DIY and they also have an option where they will buiild the cable for you.

that said, my background is in hardware variety of mixers and recorders.

i started with a 302, well actually that isn't true, i got the tascam and immediately sent it back.

just my opinion but i thought it was kind of crappy. it is made out of plastic and felt very toylike.

also the way it is designed it seems awkward to use in a bag and awkward to use on a cart. the controls just weren't layed out well in my opinion.

i immediately returned it.

so for a while it was the 302 and a 744t (sound devices) www.sounddevices.com

and then i sold the 302 and got a 442.

it really depends on what type of work you are planning to do.

i know some very experienced professional sound guys who have zero use for a recorder as they are always feeding to an ENG (news type) camera.

i love to send the sound to the camera but then record up to 4 separate tracks at 24 bit so i can have up to four mics unmixed.

for post having each mic on its own channel is a godsend and i think it is the future if not already here.

matthew
 
I actually had the Alesis Firewire 8 channel mixer and was totally unimpressed with the sound quality. I immediately returned it and got the Mackie Onyx Satellite, which is fantastic! It does 2 channels of 24/96k and the best part is that it has Onyx preamps. The removeable satellite/dock combo is neat too but I find I had a need for the slate/talkback mic so end up taking the whole thing with me anyway (it's also firewire bus powered).

I actually am doing all my location recording with a WinXP laptop using Cubase and Audition for the capture. It has been working great for me so far and I can't complain about it at all. I have the MOTU feeding timecode in so post isn't terrible. I know that Metacorder is used on a lot of large things (Lost for exampl) but mostly just for backup as everyone uses the Deva as the primary recorder.

Since my laptop won't fit (well at least) into a sound bag I can walk around with, I'm going to need a portable recorder setup. I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on the HD-P2, good or bad.
 
we have one in our rentings - quit ok - students who are the most clients for that recorder generally happy , since they work with non tc film cameras or tc hd ones , the synk is not aterible problem , quit good preamps , good enouth to capture the dialog , the dual wheal is abitch so better go with mixer in front . not abad recorder , abit criple but what do you expect fror less then 1 grand ?
 
Thanks Oleg, that's exactly what I was looking for! Since it is not going to be my primary recorder I was looking for something in that price range.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top