Wired recorder around $200 for weddings?

swaneon

swaneon

Well-known member
Using a sennheiser g3 on the bride, and I'm looking for a recorder that's $200 or under for the groom. I will be pairing it with a oscartech lav most likely.
There was the suggestion of the olympus ls-7 or 11 but that was a year or so back.
 
The Olympus LS-7 has been discontinued, and replaced by the DM-620 model : $115 at B&H Photo

I haven't had a chance to try this new model out, but the B&H customer reviews rate it 5 out of 5 stars.

The big advantage to this recorder is that it's quite tiny in size, records good sound, can power a 3.5mm LAV mic, and the batteries last 30+ hours.
 
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Just a heads-up: The DM-620 is not able to record in 24bit. For this application that isn't necessary, and it seems like a good choice, but for those looking for a bit bucket 24bit is preferable.
 
Jema said:
Just a heads-up: The DM-620 is not able to record in 24bit. For this application that isn't necessary, and it seems like a good choice, but for those looking for a bit bucket 24bit is preferable.
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Because of the high self-noise ( i.e. noise floor ) of portable recorders, it makes no difference whether you record in 16 or 24 bit.

16 bit audio has a theoretical dynamic range of 96 dB, which in reality is usually in the low 80's with the best of the under $500 recorders.

Most low cost recorders have a usable dynamic range of less than 80 dB, which is easily accommodated by the 16-bit audio format.

24-bit audio with professional recorders ( like the Sound Devices recorders ) is a completely different story.
 
Would you guys recommend the d-620 or the sony pcm-m10?
I'd connect either to a lav
 
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the sony pcm-m10 has been great for me connected directly to Rode lav mic or via mix pre-d - batteries last for ages and if you keep it at unity gain level 4 the pre amps are pretty quiet
 
ade4all said:
the sony pcm-m10 has been great for me connected directly to Rode lav mic or via mix pre-d - batteries last for ages and if you keep it at unity gain level 4 the pre amps are pretty quiet
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nice, seems like the one to get then!
 
swaneon said:
Would you guys recommend the d-620 or the sony pcm-m10?
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I use the PCM-M10 with my Sound Devices MixPre-D ( it tucks into the front of my PortaBrace bag ), and use an LS-7 as a "body-pack" for lav mics.

The M10 is much bigger and a little clunky compared to the tiny LS-7 recorder. The LS-7 is very easy to slip into a pants or jacket pocket, or clipped to a belt. The LS-7 (or D-620) is also half the price of the Sony M10.

In terms of recording, I haven't noticed any difference between these two when using lav mics.

I imagine the D-620 will perform like the LS-7 recorder. ( I haven't had a chance to try one yet )
 
TheDingo said:
I use the PCM-M10 with my Sound Devices MixPre-D ( it tucks into the front of my PortaBrace bag ), and use an LS-7 as a "body-pack" for lav mics.

The M10 is much bigger and a little clunky compared to the tiny LS-7 recorder. The LS-7 is very easy to slip into a pants or jacket pocket, or clipped to a belt. The LS-7 (or D-620) is also half the price of the Sony M10.

In terms of recording, I haven't noticed any difference between these two when using lav mics.

I imagine the D-620 will perform like the LS-7 recorder. ( I haven't had a chance to try one yet )
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if you haven't noticed the difference then that's definitely a good thing. The noise is pretty much similar when paired with a lav?

If I get a chance I use my mix pre d with a sanken cs3 but sometimes I can't.
 
swaneon said:
The noise is pretty much similar when paired with a lav?
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Most lav mics are the weak link in the audio chain when it comes to noise, but generally they sound great because they are so close to the speaker's mouth.

I have had no problems using the LS-7 recorder with an Oscar Sound Tech OST-801 lav mic, a TRAM TR-50 lav mic, and a Sanken COS-11x lav mic.

The OST-801 is the cheapest lav mic that I would use for recording, any mic below their price is not worth it.
 
Which recorder helps to prevent clipping when the Groom speaks louder? I find the Sennheiser G3 + H4N works well but I would like to know which smaller handheld recorder can prevent clipping. I have an Olympus DM-420 but that one clips when the Groom speaks louder. I have the lav usually beneath the knot of the tie.

What about the Zoom H1?
 
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