Who uses DR-100 and/or H4N

Z

zm15

Well-known member
Not looking to start a review war here, just want to see how these recorders are working out for those who have them. Share away!
 
Slice said:
I use the DR-100 and love it.

You can also check out the reviews on Amazon.

link

link
Click to expand...

Thanks Slice!

Glad you posted bc i have a specific question That I can't seem to find anywhere.

Let's say I have two XLR mics - both stereo - can i connect them to the DR-100 and have both of them record in stereo?
 
Yes, always. Balanced mono inputs.
And preamps of both units are badly suited for good sound due to very weak preamps.
Even hot mike do not save them most of the time.
So, you need good preamp anyway.
 
Vitaliy Kiselev said:
Yes, always. Balanced mono inputs.
And preamps of both units are badly suited for good sound due to very weak preamps.
Even hot mike do not save them most of the time.
So, you need good preamp anyway.
Click to expand...

Suggestions for good setup then?? I'm all ears :)
 
I just order Marantz PMD661 with the super mod from OADE brothers. If you want a compact recorder with mic preamp and phantom I think this is one of the best alternatives. Here is a review: http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/marantz-pmd661-review.html

And here you can listen to sound samples compaired to most of the other popular alternatives: http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/portable-recorder-sound-samples.html

The OADE mod lowers the noise floor some decibels.

If you want the best (for people with limited funding) the Sound Devices makes some nice recorders or you might buy the SD MIxPre and connect it to a cheaper unit like the DR-100.
 
I have both the DR100 and the H4N and I prefer the DR100. Why?
Inputs of DR100 are more sensitive and I have reason to believe that H4N audio drifts on your timeline. When I sync DR100 material on the timeline it is still in sync after 30 minutes but if I do the same with H4N material it's out of sync after 10 minutes already. This can't be co-incidence.
Anyone wants to buy my H4N?
 
I've recently recorded several 1+ hour workshops with no cuts. I've found that my original GH1 (non-hacked) AVCHD files sync very nicely with the H4n with no discernable drifting in Vegas 10. However, when I've toyed with Voltaic I've noticed that things do drift after a while. I'll admit that I've not used Voltaic all that much so maybe I'm just not using it correctly. Incidently I'm recording video at 720/60i on full auto (sacrelige I know...).

BTW: I use a 4-channel setup with the H4n: two wireless lavs piped to the XLR inputs and an APEX large diaphram "room" mic and handheld wireless mic piped through a Behringer mixer to the 1/8" stereo input on the back of the H4n. This gives me 4 discrete mono channels. Plus, I have the camera audio (Rode VideoMic) as an emergency backup, which generally sucks.

FWIW.
../c
 
I forgot to mention that I use Final Cut Studio, latest version. No matter what source I import to FCP, audio is always 2 frames ahead on video. I don't know if this is due to the camera's or due to FCP. But this is easy to solve by moving the audio by 2 frames. Then the H4N drift comes on top of this. I work with 30 minute GH1 clips (the PAL versions have a 30 minute limit), sync at the the start of the clip and after 10 minutes there will be a 1 frame drift with audio 1 frame ahead on video. At first I thought it was a FCP problem untill I started to use the Tascam. Once synced it stays synced till the end of the 30 minute clip.
Yes the 4 channels on the H4N are an advantage, the Tascam only has 2 channels but I think they have a more expensive 4 channel version.
I agree that camera audio sucks very big time :-)
 
DR-100 is better IMO for several reasons but the biggest one for me is the level knobs on the side.
 
I have the Marantz 661 - great in every way. No issue whatsovever,
and the Tascam DR100 - the premap is a bit noisy, and the overall gain a bit low. Otherwise the sound is very good. If you have hot (high output) mics the DR100 should work just fine - both issues become non issue.

Had the Zoom H4N, and IMO it is not a good recorder. Main issues are inaccurate clock (causing audio sync drifts), and very high harmonic distortion (not suitable for music). Also noisy preamp and overall low gain. Sold mine soon after I bought it.
 
SD MixPre feeding a line-level signal to a Sony PCM-M10 would be a versatile solution. The PCM-M10 gets excellent reviews. This is the setup I'll be using when my GH2 arrives.
 
paulhouston said:
I have the Marantz 661 - great in every way. No issue whatsovever,
and the Tascam DR100 - the premap is a bit noisy, and the overall gain a bit low. Otherwise the sound is very good. If you have hot (high output) mics the DR100 should work just fine - both issues become non issue.

Had the Zoom H4N, and IMO it is not a good recorder. Main issues are inaccurate clock (causing audio sync drifts), and very high harmonic distortion (not suitable for music). Also noisy preamp and overall low gain. Sold mine soon after I bought it.
Click to expand...

Do you have the non-modified Marantz 661? How are the pre-amps compared to the DR100/H4N (noise)? The modified version only ships to the US and I live in Europe.
 
TomGruber said:
SD MixPre feeding a line-level signal to a Sony PCM-M10 would be a versatile solution. The PCM-M10 gets excellent reviews. This is the setup I'll be using when my GH2 arrives.
Click to expand...

it's not pricey at all- are you sure it has all the functions as these other two?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top