Which media to record on?

[Gary61]

I'm new to the video game so forgive this basic question, I have an AF-100. I'm used to the double system recording style for film, but should I record directly to the camera or on a separate system H4n, DAT etc... I guess what I'm asking is the sound quality from the AF-100 "broadcast quality?"

 

[Richard Crowley]

The microphone preamps in your AF-100 are quite possibly as good as those in all the common separate digital audio recorders commonly used by people around here. However there may be some benefit in recording to a separate device in terms of monitoring and control, especially if you have a separate person responsible for the sound recording (while the videographer tends to framing and focusing, etc.)

Certainly there are premium audio products like those from Sound Devices that are clearly better than the audio performance of your camcorder. But much depends on your budget, your anticipated production scenarios, your expectations of quality, etc. etc.

I created a little matrix of pros and cons for various audio options here...

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/content.php?107-Article-Audio-Solutions-Matrix-Advantages-Disadvantages#comments_start

 

[ggrantly]

I usually follow these simple rules unless there are circumstances which dictate something different:

For simple dialogue like talking heads, I record to cam. Good enough for most basic stuff. When I make a major feature, I'll upgrade.

If I need better audio for music or some other reason like a moving cam, I'll go second system. Better audio is possible, but more hassle and more people.

Use a mixer whenever possible no matter what the recorder.

Use a cable whenever possible and only go wireless if you have to.

Record two audio tracks from different mics whenever possible, especially if you are running one channel of wireless.

This is a simplistic approach, but it works for the most part.

Grant

 

[GaryNattrass]

I use a panasonic HPX371 and suspect that the mic amps in the Af100 will be the same and they are perfectly acceptable for broadcast, doing sep sound will bring all sorts of other problems and with best respects a low cost zoom type recorder will bring minimal quality gain. You will be far better off investing in better mic's to get the best going into the AF100 although personally I use the AT 875R and sennheiser G2 radio mic's for most of my broadcast work these days.

I agree with what the other guys have said but will add that I always keep things as simple as possible as the more kit in the production chain the more chances of something going wrong.

A decent mixer will be a good add on in the future as it will allow you to use more channels and then if you ever do need to do sep sound it is simple to add on a basic recorder to capture it's output.