Recommendations for stereo recorder (FX - ambient beds)

L

Lliam Worthington

Active member
It's for my Indi feature. I had been advised the H1 would do a job for me...
But before I now make a purchase, interested in opinions on whether spending a few hundred more would (potentially) bring me significantly superior results - and if so what recommendations people make?

Thanks for your time

Best
LW
 
Are you looking specifically for something with built-in mics, or is there an option of getting a better recorder and using (better) external mics?

If it's built-in you want, the H1 would do an okay job for you (or the H4n). The mics are decent. Not fantastic, not absolutely horrible, but decent. And for ambient sound beds, as those are buried in the mix, the recordings will be just fine. For FX recording, though, you really want to be able to tailor the recording setup to each sound. Stereo isn't always ideal, and the built-in mics on a hand-held recorder aren't going to be the most flexible. If it really is the only thing you can afford, and renting or buying something better is completely out of the question, you can get by with an H1, H4n, or TASCAM DR07 or DR100.

If you are willing to invest, I'd go with a TASCAM HD-P2 or DR680. With the 680, you can multi-track. not always needed, but it also depends on what you're recording. For instance, if you want to get the sounds of a muscle car screaming down the road, you're going to want a few different aural perspectives: in the cab, the engine, the exhaust, wheels on the pavement. You can rig mics all over the car and record all perspectives at once. But if you're really just looking for simple FX, one or two channels will do you.

And a selection of mics is in order if you're going to go that way. You'll find all sorts of different FX call for all sorts of different mic capabilities: shotgun, cardioid, hypercardioid, and a couple of dynamics for high SPL sounds. Contact mics of you really want to get creative.
 
Just another note in addition to Alex's...

You mention that it's your indie feature so I assume you're the director. Have you considered looking for a sound designer/sound editor/re-recording mixer? Personally I love working with directors who understand sound, but they are separate jobs and many times having someone other than the director handle post-sound at the very least helps get a fresh perspective on the sounds.

And most of the time post-sound guys like myself already have gear for recording backgrounds and FX as needed.

I agree with the above suggestions on gear though.
 
HI Alex, thanks for the response.

We had actually corresponded previously, but with how many enquiries you help field, I wouldn't expect you to remember.
You had already helped advised me on a few options that we and others had discussed for sound on my film.
I had settled on getting an Oade modded HD-P2 - and it was actually your initial suggestion to consider getting a H1 as a handy/useful tool for ambient beds...
However, I now have a fe hundred more in my kit for audio, so I just thought I'd investigate other options/recommendations for ambient beds and FX recordings...

Note, I will be using an NTG3 for the dialogue - but might also have an MKH60...

Gohanto, hi, thanks. In previous threads I had stated upfront my preference for working with a skilled sound designer/reordist - due to project limitations - this was unlikely.
However a few parameters have actually changed recently, so I may well be able to find someone... Rest assured I will be trying, but I still can't bank on it.

Best
LW
 
Hi, Lliam.

I do remember our PM exchange, now that you mention it. Having the HD-P2 is a great start (and now that I remember you were getting one of those as well as the H1 or similar). The H1 is a good backup, as I had previously mentioned, for recording on the fly, in tight spaces, and where larger equipment might attract too much attention or may risk getting damaged. I used to carry my H4 (predecessor to the H4n) with me when I traveled, because I could always pull it out and record sound beds wherever I went without anyone really noticing - or caring - what I was doing. I have some great sounds of the Washington, DC, Metro system.

Regarding the Oade modded HD-P2, unless you will have places where the six record tracks of the DR680 are necessary, you'll be fine with that as your primary recorder. And simpler can be better if you're just getting your audio sea legs. You may be fine to go forward as planned.

If you have some extra budget for sound, microphones are going to be a worthy investment. For on-cam dialog, the basic "starter kit" is comprised of a shrot shotgun (like the RøDE NTG-3 that you're getting) and a hypercardioid (like the Oktava MK012, or Audio Technica 4053b), plus the appropriate shockmounts and windscreens. If you're going to get into FX recording, you'll probably need a few more tools. Both of the aforementioned hypercardioids have interchangeable capsules, and the MK012 can be purchased with all three (cardioid, hypercardioid, omni) for a very nice price. The omni will be the least useful, but it gives you good options. A couple of good dynamic mics, made for higher SPL handling, may also be in order if you plan to record very loud sources (loud engines, gunshots/explosions, etc.). The ElectroVoice RE20 can take a pretty good punch... I used to use one of those for a live broadcast of a fireworks show because it could handle the concussion from the explosions and still capture the low-end "boom".

For what it's worth, I have often recorded sound beds using a really good stereo mic (Shure VP-88) and my TASCAM DA-P1 (the DAT predecessor to the HD-P2), and nowadays with an FR-2LE or HD-P2.

Another option would be to forego the Oade Bros. mod and to get the stock HD-P2 along with a MixPre (or the new MixPre-D). Having a small mixer is a good thing and gives you some flexibility. Plus, it can be used in front of both the HD-P2 and the H1.

But microphones are key. Having a decent selection of mics is a must if you can afford it.
 
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Hi Alex,

Thanks as ever for your time, excellent advice and terrific detailed post.

Typically things are always evolving/shifting within the parameters of the project, so I'll jump back on this thread right when I'm just about to purchase and if it's cool double check with you what I'm thinking.

Thanks again
Best Wishes
LW
 
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