Recorder + Mixer + Computer interface options

R

Rand

New member
I have given up on my crummy phonic. Doing a lot of research I have come across both the zoom r8 and the roland vs-100. I'm basically looking for a unit that I can plug in my sennheiser lavs to in the field and record, and also use the unit for voice overs in vegas video [asio drivers].

The above 2 units fit the bill however, the roland is AC only which is a big negative.
I don't need a lot of fancy mixer features nor can I afford a sound devices..

I'm just wondering if I"m missing any other multitasking units, or if anything is due to be released soon that I should consider.
I have a feeling the roland has better pres and sound, but that is speculation. As far as I know none of the smaller handhelds will work
as a computer interface ?

keys are: battery power, portability, at least 2 tracks, easy hookup to computer via usb or firewire, asio support, xlr inputs...also hoping for an xlr out or I can maybe go for 1/4" to xlr in on the camera...

any insights appreciated..
thanks
Randall
 
hey thanks...don't think that has asio drivers, usb is just for file transfer...wish it did...cheers
 
You may be wanting one thing that does an OK job at what two things excel at. I've known a few people that use a laptop as a field recorder and have a bus-powered interface; but a dedicated field recorder that also acts as an interface... nothing comes to mind for me.

If you don't have a need to synch your in-house voiceovers really tightly with video, I'd think a decent field recorder would be fine in-house. Just transfer the files to your desktop machine, sweeten and drop into your edit. (I do a fair amount of composing so I need an interface with MIDI that can take digital input from some really nice pre's... but heck, I've known some guys doing high end shooting and editing that just used their camera's XLR ins as their in-house voiceover capture - I held on to my DVX for some time because I liked how the preamps sounded - nice for DSLR shoots).
 
The closest thing I can think of is the Sound Devices Mixpre-D and USBpre2. The first is an all-out field recorder that can also be used as a somewhat limited interface (for instance, it cannot give an output to speakers). The later is the opposite - an interface that can also be used as a somewhat limited field recorder. I don't know the specifics, so look them up - maybe you'll find that one of them does exactly what you want.

Good luck!
 
The MixPre-D and USBPre2 are not recorders. I have the MixPre-D, and it is an excellent piece of equipment with high quality preamps and multiple outputs, including USB into your computer for recording. It also has XLR out (line and mic level) AES digital out, tape out, and a dedicated mini XLR out at mic level which can be used with a mini-XLR to 1/8" cable for sending mic level audio into a consumer camcorder or a digital recorder. I use the Sony M10 recorder with the MixPre-D, and the results are excellent and extremely low noise. I have used equipment such as the Sound Devices 702 recorder, so I am familiar with low noise and high quality.
 
^^^^ Right there is what I would suggest, and nothing less. A small digitial recorder like the Sony PCM-M10, Sony PCM-D50, Marantz PMD661 with the Sounds Devices MixPre-D sitting in front of it for in the field recording, then using the Sound Devices MixPre-D fou your USB computer interface when you need it.
 
ben_r_ said:
^^^^ Right there is what I would suggest, and nothing less. A small digitial recorder like the Sony PCM-M10, Sony PCM-D50, Marantz PMD661 with the Sounds Devices MixPre-D sitting in front of it for in the field recording, then using the Sound Devices MixPre-D fou your USB computer interface when you need it.
Click to expand...

Wait a minute.. what's the difference between the Mix Pre-D and the USB Pre 2?
 
I'd suggest an M-audio MicroTrack with the MixPre D... As far as I know, it's still the only pocket recorder that takes a digital input. But I think the OP said the MixPre was out of his price range…OP… how many channels do you need, and what's your price range? As has been insinuated here, trying to find one device to play all these roles might not be your best bet…
 
thanks for all the responses...I did a lot of research on this, the cakewalk vs-100 really fits
the bill but it is getting a little long in the tooth and doesn't have DC. I'm willing to spend up to 1K
max, prefer to stay around $800 and stick with 1 unit - not separate mixer and recorder. The mixpre is great I know, but I would need
a recorder which puts we way over 1K...I need to be able to grab at least 2 tracks, 3-4 preferred in case
you need it...hoping something comes out at NAMM
 
Here's a terrible idea… which I used for a while… get a used MOTU Traveler and a MicroTrack! I remember trekking through the woods with the Traveler, MicroTrack, a big battery, and a selection of mics… unwieldy but workable.
 
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