New shotgun mic or recorder?

scorsesefan

scorsesefan

Veteran
Hi all,

I am trying to upgrade my audio gear (currently a DR-100 MKII and Rode NTG-2) and I am trying to decide whether to go with a new mic (used Sennheiser 416 or Rode NTG-3) or a new recorder (probably dr-680). I can't afford both right now :(... BTW I do mostly run and gun verite work...

Thanks
 
scorsesefan said:
I am trying to upgrade my audio gear (currently a DR-100 MKII and Rode NTG-2) and I am trying to decide whether to go with a new mic (used Sennheiser 416 or Rode NTG-3) or a new recorder (probably dr-680). I can't afford both right now :(... BTW I do mostly run and gun verite work...
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Your biggest bang for the buck at this point is probably a pre-amp. The line level inputs to the DR-100II are pretty good and bypass the preamps, which are only adequate. A good preamp, say a used SD MixPre-D, will perhaps give you a significant improvement in audio quality, as well as flexibility, control, and very nice limiters.
 
Both would help. I own both the NTG3 and 680, and the MK1 DR-100. IMHO you would get the audio biggest bang out of the NTG-3. There might be other reasons to go with the recorder, but they wouldn't be related to so much to audio quality.

Grant
 
There is merit to what Bruce mentioned also, but would be dependent on how you work. Do you have a sound person with a bag? The DR100 doesn't work well with a bag. The 680 has better and hotter preamps than the DR100, and for one, or possibly two channels, will work well enough without a mixer.

Also, you didn't mention what camera you are using. If you are using a DSLR, then a recorder or mixer with phantom power is a must. If you can record directly to cam, a mixer will really help you. The mixpre-d has a mount option to hang below the cam on the tripod mount, but haven't used that. I often use my 302 when using a tripod and mount it on a Noga arm.
 
You've mentioned your mic and recorder; what about your accessories? Do you have a good boom-pole, shock-mount, wind protection, etc.? Tighten things up there. You may also want to consider the Sound Devices MM-1 instead of a mixer at this point; wait until you have multiple sources to mix before buying a mixer. Another thing to consider is a hypercardioid mic for indoor usage (Avantone CK-1, Audix SCX-1, Audio Technica AT4053b). Oh, and maybe a couple of battery packs and a case for the DR-100.
 
Thanks, guys. I do sound and my partner camera (Blackmagic Pocket). Dual system. Part of the problem with the DR-100 is lack of easy access to controls but I'm more worried about sound quality. I think part of the problem is the NTG-2 is not a very "hot" mic and I have to put the gain up on the DR-100 to HIGH which introduces noise...
 
unclebob6958 said:
You've mentioned your mic and recorder; what about your accessories? Do you have a good boom-pole, shock-mount, wind protection, etc.? Tighten things up there. You may also want to consider the Sound Devices MM-1 instead of a mixer at this point; wait until you have multiple sources to mix before buying a mixer. Another thing to consider is a hypercardioid mic for indoor usage (Avantone CK-1, Audix SCX-1, Audio Technica AT4053b). Oh, and maybe a couple of battery packs and a case for the DR-100.
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Bob,
Yes, I actually have a decent boom pole and a Rycote zeppelin/furry combo wit pistol grip. I also have a case for the dr-100 but it was made for the Marantz 620 so I had to kind of rig it. I guess my main use/concern would be a shotgun for voice/dialog mostly outdoors in pretty adverse conditions and occasionally indoors.
 
The 680 has much hotter preamps and will help the NTG2 significantly. But it will never sound as good as the NTG3. Ever.

The 680 is bag friendly. It also eats batteries quickly, so plan on some remote power in the bag unless you are only running for an hour or two. I use a Tekkeon and it works well enough. You can spend more on power than the cost of a 680 very easily. I like the dr100 well enough for what it is, but for production, the form factor pretty much sucks.

G
 
"I like the dr100 well enough for what it is, but for production, the form factor pretty much sucks." Agreed. Accessing the levels is a *****.
 
The 680 is 'bag friendly' in some aspects' Rec, Pause-track select, however if the main menu is needed , that's on the top panel and another story. And the operator should have knowledge the menu structure and a few quirks. As was stated it also freakn eats batteries. One would still want HQ preamps.
 
ggrantly;1986443554 I use a Tekkeon and it works well enough. G[/QUOTE said:
I have one that is about three years old and was a champ now drains almost instantly. Has this happened to you and do you know of a fix? I'm guessing the battery is shot but I haven't found any replacement bateries.
Click to expand...
 
As a solution to your problem that may get you what you want is to get a decent mic pre like the MixPre. THere are /were three or four companies making decent ones under $1K (street price). That would solve your gain issues and get you something that you could use in the future. And probably bump quality notably. If you went for the MixPreD you could bypass the the entire analog section of your recorder.
 
tekkeons are readily available from B&H. Three years on a Li-Ion isn't too bad. Tekkeons may not be like an Anton-Bauer, but lots of features on the relative cheap.
 
I loved it till it just stopped working. $200 every three years is a bit more than I want to drop on batteries. But I have asked them if they can replace the battery. If not I guess I will open it up and see if I can find a replacement.
 
The 12V eBay LiPo batteries (from China) are not bad. I use them to power my Lectros when out of the bag. The will likely only last a few years as well, but at $25-30 USD.... They're available in 68 and 98Ah (about 80/110Wh) The downside is they take about 14 hours to fully charge, so having a few is recommended, depending on what your powering.
 
Noiz2 said:
I loved it till it just stopped working. $200 every three years is a bit more than I want to drop on batteries. But I have asked them if they can replace the battery. If not I guess I will open it up and see if I can find a replacement.
Click to expand...

Well this isn't quite as bad:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/503090-REG/Tekkeon_MP3450_MP3450_myPower_ALL_Universal.html

As previously mentioned, these are a nice alternative to conventional 12v NP1 or similar as they have a usb tap built in and an additional tap which can be adjusted up to 19v They can do usb and another output simultaneously.

Grant
 
I've been selectively buying China Li-Ions for my cams and battery power tools (eBay) for several years with good results. I usually find a US distributor with a 100% satisfaction rating. They charge a couple of bucks more than the China direct route, but imagine there would be a little customer service if need be. Though not long ago I did a couple of Makita batteries direct from China and I had my batteries in a couple of days and then got a followup from a nice lady named Ruth, asking if I was satisfied or had any issues. That is better service than I usually receive from US companies.

Grant
 
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