Indie Film; Shotgun mics? / Hello!!

[Louiseven]

Hello all,

Long,long time lurker newly registered.

I have been asked to do a lot of location sound as of late for indie films. Just helping out mind you,very guirilla style. Most of these gig have been fairly simple. Holding a boom setting up lav's getting levels that sort of thing. Mostly recording direct to source being DV/DVHD camera's. So heres my super neophyte question. When not recording direct to source what are you all using and or what should be used preferably to record to??? I know there has got too be a more flexible professional way of getting this done. Thanks, and I look forward to hanging out here learning and contributing.

[rackdude]

id record directly to camera if it has xlr inputs

luv my schoeps!

[Louiseven]

Thanks Rackdude for the reply. Anyone recording to DAT,MD or laptop?? are they practical solutions?

[pkautzsch]

Today it's mostly HD or CF recorders. Usual suspects of the first league: Aaton Cantar, Nagra V, SoundDevices 7xx series, Zaxcom Deva. A bit less pricey: Fostex FR-2, Tascam HD-P2, Marantz PMD series.
Typical DAT machines would be Fostex PD-4, less pricey Tascam DA-P1.
Some guys still use analog Nagra or Stellavox machines. I have found my 25 year old Nagra 4.2 to be very reliable and great-sounding.

I would not use a laptop outside. Yes, you can name files more easily and have all the paperwork and documentation in the computer as well, but they just aren't made for the hard life on location and can have hiccups. I do record music on a laptop, but always with a backup HD recorder when there is no second chance - and in film world sound doesn't get a second chance if picture was good.
And in features, I wouldn't want to record straight to cam, as I need lots of atmo/room tone and noises and stuff for which I wouldn't want the cam running. Different story in quick documentary or ENG.