Need help deciding what audio recorder to purchase.

rundavids

rundavids

Well-known member
Hi guys, I'm planning on shooting a small film and I need an external audio recorder. I'm looking at a Zoom H4n and Tascam dr100 so far. I'll be using the recorder with a Rode NTG2 mic. Which recorder would you guys recommend me to purchase? Thanks.
 
Have you considered renting something better?

Depending on your budget and how long you're shooting for it might be an option that would help your production in a big way, especially if you've got a dedicated location recordist.
 
I am looking to purchase and not rent. I live in Las vegas and it's very difficult to find rental places for equipment.
 
I don't believe either is a particularly good solution on its own.

If you had to buy one or the other, I believe the independent input gain controls on the DR-100 will serve you well, but both really need a proper production mixer as the front end - or something with finer, easily adjustable gain control - based on my experience.

What kind of camera are you planning on using?
 
I'm using a panasonic gh1 dslr camera that shoots hd. So the audio from it will be used as reference in syncing in post. I am leaning to tascam as well.
 
I think, in that case the DR-100 is a good start. You may want to eventually consider a field mixer but the lack of (or conversely having) such gear should not and won't hamper good art.

There are things you can have to make productions more reliable, easier, quicker, but they certainly won't be the difference that makes a good idea bad. A good idea, well executed, will stand on its own irrespective of gear.

Wish you the best of luck with your production!
 
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I am very satisfied with my tascam DR-100. Probably the closest thing to the fostex right now. Pre-amps not quite as good and a little less gain, but better pre-amps than the Zoom, and separate level controls, analog limiter, dual battery, separate line out and headphone outs sold me. I've been using one for about year and love it
 
gpforet said:
I am very satisfied with my tascam DR-100. Probably the closest thing to the fostex right now. Pre-amps not quite as good and a little less gain, but better pre-amps than the Zoom, and separate level controls, analog limiter, dual battery, separate line out and headphone outs sold me. I've been using one for about year and love it
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One question I've asked of DR-100 users (but can't find an answer) is if the files produced are proper broadcast wave files where the number of samples since midnight is stamped in the header? I know this is a bit OT, but perhaps as a DR-100 owner you could help answer that question.

I looked through the manual repeatedly and couldn't find it.

Glad to hear your DR-100 is working so well.
 
If it's between the Zoom and the Tascam, get the Tascam. The NTG-2 doesn't play very well with the Zoom (or vice versa).

You may also want to consider the Fostex FR-2LE. Better form factor, all-around better machine than the other two.

As for rental in Las Vegas, check out Trew Audio (trewaudio.com). They are in Nashville, Toronto, and Vancouver, but they ship rentals anywhere.
 
This really tweaks me right now! I just bought a brand new Zoom H4n today. I had no idea of the listed limitations. I knew it was the cheapest with XLR and phantom but for a few dollars more the store I bought from had the Tascam as well. I knew I could spend twice as much and get better or 3X, but $9 more then retail.

I was so happy I talked them down to $249 and now if I return I have to come up with another $59. Although I guess with the wired remote return it will be more like $29. Guess I'll have to drive back to Jersey. Jersey twice in one week without getting paid is rough.
 
Not sure what you mean by "proper broadcast".

The file naming system has two options: it can contain names and will number sequencially as new files are recorded, or it can do the date_sequence thing you're talking about. However, the sequence number does not start at 0000 each day but continues to increment, but the date part of the name will change to reflect the new day. You can re-initialize the unit which will reset the sequence to 0000 but will also return the unit to all default settings which means 16 bit, stereo.

Hope that helps.


dialing_wand said:
One question I've asked of DR-100 users (but can't find an answer) is if the files produced are proper broadcast wave files where the number of samples since midnight is stamped in the header? I know this is a bit OT, but perhaps as a DR-100 owner you could help answer that question.

I looked through the manual repeatedly and couldn't find it.

Glad to hear your DR-100 is working so well.
Click to expand...
 
gpforet said:
Not sure what you mean by "proper broadcast".

The file naming system has two options: it can contain names and will number sequencially as new files are recorded, or it can do the date_sequence thing you're talking about. However, the sequence number does not start at 0000 each day but continues to increment, but the date part of the name will change to reflect the new day. You can re-initialize the unit which will reset the sequence to 0000 but will also return the unit to all default settings which means 16 bit, stereo.

Hope that helps.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your response.

Sorry for not being more clear. I was asking about proper broadcast wave files.

Header information isn't the same as filename but rather metadata incorporated into the wave file itself which can be read with programs like Sound Device's Wave Agent. Basically proper broadcast wave files should have the record-start time stamped to the header in the form of samples-since-midnight based on the time of day of the recorder's clock and the file's given sample rate.

If you have a minute and could record a tiny one or two second file and post it I could even check! :)

Sorry for continuously derailing the thread.
 
I've never rented in Vegas, but seems like other then LA or NYC it would be one of the easiest towns to rent in.
 
gpforet said:
Here's a small file from the tascam. Let me know what it tells you.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/59979/1284550578.zip
Click to expand...

Amazing. Thank you.

If this file came directly from the Tascam, it tells me that the device does not record broadcast wave files.

While I suspected as much because I couldn't find it listed anywhere in the DR-100s literature, in the world of timecode-less audio sync (aka Plural Eyes) it does not make a difference regarding sync.

However, for the sake of this discussion, the H4n does create broadcast wave files which means you can obtain very loose (+/- 2 second) sync (if you can call it that... let's call it clip match) simply by having the time of day on the recorder match that of your camera.

Time of day timecode can make it easy for editors, given a whole lot of video and audio clips to sort through, to tell which sound file goes with which clip since the timecode values will be so close you'll know which clips/audio were acquired at the same time. I use this trick even with Plural Eyes to sort out shots into groups and make my life easier.

For the OP: having said all that, when it comes to sync, you should still go for the Tascam. Just get Plural Eyes for your NLE of choice. It costs about 20x less than an AUX time-code-centric setup (which wasn't in the cards anyway) and is amazingly simple and reliable.
 
This file was downloaded from the tascam, to my laptop, zipped, and then uploaded.

dialing_wand said:
Amazing. Thank you.

If this file came directly from the Tascam, it tells me that the device does not record broadcast wave files.

While I suspected as much because I couldn't find it listed anywhere in the DR-100s literature, in the world of timecode-less audio sync (aka Plural Eyes) it does not make a difference regarding sync.

However, for the sake of this discussion, the H4n does create broadcast wave files which means you can obtain very loose (+/- 2 second) sync (if you can call it that... let's call it clip match) simply by having the time of day on the recorder match that of your camera.

Time of day timecode can make it easy for editors, given a whole lot of video and audio clips to sort through, to tell which sound file goes with which clip since the timecode values will be so close you'll know which clips/audio were acquired at the same time. I use this trick even with Plural Eyes to sort out shots into groups and make my life easier.

For the OP: having said all that, when it comes to sync, you should still go for the Tascam. Just get Plural Eyes for your NLE of choice. It costs about 20x less than an AUX time-code-centric setup (which wasn't in the cards anyway) and is amazingly simple and reliable.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for more informative replies guys. You are totally right about plural eyes. It's a must. Another question to everyone. What does the fostex fr2le have over the tascam dr100?

I'm also very new to audio and I heard that the gain is like iso on a camera? The higher the gain, the more sensitive it is to sound, but also drawback would be "other" additional unwanted noise added to it just like when raised iso on camera images become noisy. Is that right?
 
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