Field Recorders: What's a girl to do?

[HarrisKarlin]

Howdy,


I was hoping i could get some help.

I'm looking to upgrade from my a bit less than satisfactory Ramko Research "Sidekick", but I'm not sure where to go. I'm pretty into the Sound Devices 302 and 442, but both are a bit weightier on the wallet than I'm hoping for. However, I am looking for precisely that functionality, so maybe I need to bite the bullet. Ideally, I'd like to be working with 4 channels, but given that I'm mostly recording to an FR-2 right now, I'm not going to be able to accomplish much with 4 channels than I can't with 3 at the moment.


Does anybody have any machines they're fond of?


Thanks all.

[NOLAfishwater]

Heres is a smoking deal on an R4. It is the most affordable 4 channel recorder out there. Edirol just had a price drop on this recorder. If you are looking to get quality live recordings you can have the preamps modified.

Edirol R4

[bove]

Sound Devices stuff is very nice. They just do what they're supposed to do, at a high quality level, and do it correctly everytime. I don't think you'll ever second-guess a decision to buy any of their equipment.

[tnjazz]

Are you looking for a mixer or a new recorder?

[leddy]

Originally Posted by NOLAfishwater

Heres is a smoking deal on an R4. It is the most affordable 4 channel recorder out there. Edirol just had a price drop on this recorder. If you are looking to get quality live recordings you can have the preamps modified.

Edirol R4

I'm tempted by the price drop, but man - most of the reviews slam those on-board mic pres saying they're really noisy. Not sure how much the Oade bros. pre mod costs, but Edirol claims the R4 Pro has better preamps.

How bad is bad? Anyone know what those preamps compare to? Could you power a ribbon with them, for example?

There has to be something in the pipeline from some manufcturer that will be better/faster/cheaper...at least I hope.

[springer]

Hey Leddy,
I can speak for pres in these smaller units but not for the Edirol specific...

Even my oade modded PMD660 cannot perform with the average ribbon. I do get modest results with the R122. I am assuming that most of the small form factor units are similar in this respect as I heard nothing good about any of their preamps when I was shopping. Let's just say you would not be happy with the results of any recordings made with the stock preamps. With the exception for (maybe) Sound Devices...
Now as for the Oade modded unit I have - I love the recordings I get with it - as long as I do not max the preamp gain. The "tapers" all rave about AKG c480s so I picked up a pair and really have to say that they are a great pairing with the Oade equipment.
I do mostly jazz and classical. Rockers mileage may be quite varied.

I have to add that going minimal yields some great sounds. Some of my 2 tracks are my favs, far out performing those done with 6-8 tracks.

[DaveD]

I guess there is a slim chance that some Nagra V's may come into the second-hand market once the VI is released; possibly at reasonable prices, since the price point of the VI is touted to be lower than the 2 channel V.

Bit of a long shot, but wouldn't it be lovely!

[MichaelPatrick]

Originally Posted by bove

Sound Devices stuff is very nice. They just do what they're supposed to do, at a high quality level, and do it correctly everytime. I don't think you'll ever second-guess a decision to buy any of their equipment.

+1 indeed

[Baithak]

Originally Posted by HarrisKarlin

Howdy,


I was hoping i could get some help.

I'm looking to upgrade from my a bit less than satisfactory Ramko Research "Sidekick", but I'm not sure where to go. I'm pretty into the Sound Devices 302 and 442, but both are a bit weightier on the wallet than I'm hoping for. However, I am looking for precisely that functionality, so maybe I need to bite the bullet. Ideally, I'd like to be working with 4 channels, but given that I'm mostly recording to an FR-2 right now, I'm not going to be able to accomplish much with 4 channels than I can't with 3 at the moment.


Does anybody have any machines they're fond of?


Thanks all.

It looks like you are looking for a mixer to frond end the FR-2 or perhaps record four channels at once?? Your message heading and body are a bit conflicted. In any case, if you are considering something with a four channel front-end AND a recorder or are just looking for a three channel mixer, check out this link from Sonosax.

SONOSAX Audio equipment manufacturer

This company is not touted much in the US sound engineering circles but is one of the standards in the film world and in the audio world. They are expensive but the four channel mixer/8 channel recorder will probably be one of the best combos out there; I have used their pres/mixers and have used their stand alone 8 channel recorder on which this machine is based ... if you just wanted a mixer then please ignore this post.

Baithak
PS: The rest of the location slutz out there should cast an eye on the SX62. I am hoping to get one to replace almost all my location gear ...

[HarrisKarlin]

This company is not touted much in the US sound engineering circles but is one of the standards in the film world and in the audio world. They are expensive but the four channel mixer/8 channel recorder will probably be one of the best combos out there; I have used their pres/mixers and have used their stand alone 8 channel recorder on which this machine is based ... if you just wanted a mixer then please ignore this post.

Baithak
PS: The rest of the location slutz out there should cast an eye on the SX62. I am hoping to get one to replace almost all my location gear ...

I am just looking for a mixer, but that SX-62R does look pretty great. Out of my price range for the moment, but I have a new subject for my wet dreams.

I think I'm just biting the bullet and going with the 302. I'm only have 2 channels to record to at the moment, so a 3 channel mixer should do what I want for a while, and the 302 does pretty much exactly what I want it to, how I want it to, and I like how it sounds, so I might as well just bite the bullet and plunk down the change.

[NOLAfishwater]

Originally Posted by leddy

I'm tempted by the price drop, but man - most of the reviews slam those on-board mic pres saying they're really noisy. Not sure how much the Oade bros. pre mod costs, but Edirol claims the R4 Pro has better preamps.

How bad is bad? Anyone know what those preamps compare to? Could you power a ribbon with them, for example?

There has to be something in the pipeline from some manufcturer that will be better/faster/cheaper...at least I hope.

Most tapers send their R4's off to be modded. It is about $325 for all 4 channels and is well worth it. Most people are getting the Busman hybrid mod which is Vintage (warm) on 1&2 channels and then Transparent on 3&4. Pretty sweet set up. PM me for a contact. Oade mods are time tested but cost a bit more than the Busman mods. Basically, Busman is the first person to start modding units in competition with Oade.

[Gravity]

Originally Posted by HarrisKarlin

I am just looking for a mixer, but that SX-62R does look pretty great. Out of my price range for the moment, but I have a new subject for my wet dreams.

I think I'm just biting the bullet and going with the 302. I'm only have 2 channels to record to at the moment, so a 3 channel mixer should do what I want for a while, and the 302 does pretty much exactly what I want it to, how I want it to, and I like how it sounds, so I might as well just bite the bullet and plunk down the change.

Ok so you're not looking for a recorder, but for a mixer? I have to +2 the guys about Sound Devices. You will never regret buying one. They will last forever, they sound amazing, and you could light the set in a pinch with the glare off the meters.

442's are awesome, and the 702T and 744T top the Nagras for me any day.

[NOLAfishwater]

Originally Posted by Gravity

Ok so you're not looking for a recorder, but for a mixer? I have to +2 the guys about Sound Devices. You will never regret buying one. They will last forever, they sound amazing, and you could light the set in a pinch with the glare off the meters.

442's are awesome, and the 702T and 744T top the Nagras for me any day.

If I could afford a 744, that is the way to go. It is hands down the best on the market and they are built like tanks. However R4 = $855 and 744 = $4100

[TheGetDown]

what about the R4 with an apogee mini-me via SPDIF???? thinking of going that route.

[leddy]

Originally Posted by NOLAfishwater

Most tapers send their R4's off to be modded. It is about $325 for all 4 channels and is well worth it. Most people are getting the Busman hybrid mod which is Vintage (warm) on 1&2 channels and then Transparent on 3&4. Pretty sweet set up. PM me for a contact. Oade mods are time tested but cost a bit more than the Busman mods. Basically, Busman is the first person to start modding units in competition with Oade.

I ordered the R4 today. I want to check out how it sounds stock, then I'll check out some mods. I'll PM you for a contact soon. Thanks for the info.

If I really need to, I can drag along my Sytek 4-ch preamp. It would be great to not have to bring more gear though...

[David Spearritt]

Originally Posted by DaveD

I guess there is a slim chance that some Nagra V's may come into the second-hand market once the VI is released; possibly at reasonable prices, since the price point of the VI is touted to be lower than the 2 channel V.

Bit of a long shot, but wouldn't it be lovely!

Slim being the operative word. I am going to get the Nagra VI, but will not sell the V, because it is worth more to keep it and use it.

442's are awesome, and the 702T and 744T top the Nagras for me any day.

We have a 442, a 702 and a Nagra V. The Nagra V pres are better than both the 702 and the 442, and the ergonomics of the Nagra V are much better than the 702. Its all about talented design. The SD recorders are nice, but they are much more difficult to use in low light in particular but also in general. The menus are much more complicated almost to the extent that you need to carry the manual with you at all times. With the Nagra this is never necessary.

[maestro]

I would love to hear a Nagra in action. However, i bought the Sound Devices 744T (same operation as the 702) and read the manual in one day and know exactly how to work the 744T. I'm not a natural techie but i only own the 744 a few months and would have no need to carry the manual around with me.One of the easiest pieces of equipment i ever worked with.

[springer]

Sure wish the folks at SD would put 4 XLRs on that 744... Santa are you listening? ( am I mistaken or do they call it a 4 channel recorder?) I am hoping the site pics and manuals are just incorrect and it actually has 4 XLRs.

[tnjazz]

Originally Posted by springer

Sure wish the folks at SD would put 4 XLRs on that 744... Santa are you listening? ( am I mistaken or do they call it a 4 channel recorder?) I am hoping the site pics and manuals are just incorrect and it actually has 4 XLRs.

It does, but the second pair is line in only and they are mini XLRs.

[leddy]

Originally Posted by springer

Hey Leddy,
I can speak for pres in these smaller units but not for the Edirol specific...

Even my oade modded PMD660 cannot perform with the average ribbon. I do get modest results with the R122. I am assuming that most of the small form factor units are similar in this respect as I heard nothing good about any of their preamps when I was shopping. Let's just say you would not be happy with the results of any recordings made with the stock preamps. With the exception for (maybe) Sound Devices...
Now as for the Oade modded unit I have - I love the recordings I get with it - as long as I do not max the preamp gain. The "tapers" all rave about AKG c480s so I picked up a pair and really have to say that they are a great pairing with the Oade equipment.
I do mostly jazz and classical. Rockers mileage may be quite varied.

I have to add that going minimal yields some great sounds. Some of my 2 tracks are my favs, far out performing those done with 6-8 tracks.

I got my R4 and tested it out. The stock pres are disappointing, as many have said. It may be obvious, but it all comes down to mic selection. High-output mics pair up well with it. My MC930's work well. Earthworks are not quite as good as the Beyers, but acceptable. Oktava MC012's - ok on louder sources. Dynamics...maybe for handheld vocalist swallowing the mic. Otherwise, I'll need to bring another pre or get it modded. I'll probably stick with it stock. I wanted something small and portable. I have an HD24 rig with decent preamps if I need something more.

[jmarkham]

I've been using my MacPro and an Mbox2Pro.
If you need four mic ins.. then it doesn't work .. but you can get
2 mic and 2 line and it's already in Protools .. maybe even with
markers ;-)

jeff

[Alan H Chang]

Well, is it still good to send line level to the R4 from the line outs of the SD302? I just might be getting the R4 for 4 channel line-in recorder.

[APOHStudios]

I have been reading this thread with great interest. I am thinking of retiring my trusty DA-P1 so I can get more inputs. I use mine to set up at the house board and take a stereo feed from the board for later syncing to video. But occasionally I find I want more than just the two track, especially smaller venues where not everything is miked up.

So far, what I have learned from this thread:
Edirol R4: good price, but so-so quality out-of-the-box (give me a sound comparison to the DA-P1)
Nagra: Good sound, but $$$$$
Sonosax: Not much info from people. Site seems a bit cluttered, didn't want to wade through it.
SD: Still got to check them out. (Pretty looking but no rough idea of $$$)

Any other opinions or choices? 24/48 is a minimum format for my requirements with at least one channel with +48v

Keep 'em coming!!

[sonare]

Originally Posted by APOHStudios

Any other opinions or choices? 24/48 is a minimum format for my requirements with at least one channel with +48v

The one time I used the TASCAM HD-P2 I was SHOCKED how good is sounded. No noise from the micamps, and the A/D wasn't shabby either. This was a classical gig with a ridiculous dynamic range, BTW. Records to a flashcard rather than HD.

If only it had 4 channels!

Rich

[Factory101]

+3 Sound Devices 702 - once bitten forever smitten.

[Remoteness]

So, what did the girl do?

[charles maynes]

Buy the Sound Devices machine- then you will be done for a while with buying portable recorders.

they are the gold standard. (at least for the money).

[screamingcatfish]

buy the sound devices.............

[Djembe]

Has anyone tried the Edirol R4 Pro? - supposedly improved preamps.

[jacobfarron]

+5 sound devices. we use them all over the world, and they always perform flawlessly.