Let's talk field recorders

empathy1 · Post by **empathy1** » Tue Mar 31, 2015 5:49 pm

Hey friends,

Been looking to invest in a field recorder. Would like to use it for conventional uses (eg; drum hits, ambient sound, etc) as well as possibly recording impulse responses for convolution. While I've had my eyes on the DR-40 by Tascam, I was shown some other models such as the Zoom IQ7 which connects to iPhone. With no formal audio recording background or extensive experience, I'm kind of stuck on a device worth investing in.

My price range sits under $200. Anyone who field records; loan me some insight or recommendations!

alearca · Post by **alearca** » Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:23 pm

empathy1 wrote:Hey friends,

My price range sits under $200. Anyone who field records; loan me some insight or recommendations!

I'm very happy with this one:
http://www.zoom.co.jp/products/h1

I let you judge:
https://soundcloud.com/ale_arca/sounds- ... an-12-2014

sounddevisor · Post by **sounddevisor** » Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:51 pm

I love my Tascam DR40. I've had it for a couple of years, use for everything from field recording to documenting band rehearsals to quick-and-dirty live show recording. The built-in mics are surprisingly good (for plastic POSes), but the fact that you can plug in "real" mics (and even phantom power them) turns this from a toy into a real tool.

Regardless of which brand/model you settle on, I highly recommend getting a unit that can accept input from external mics. Even if you don't have them already, you will be very glad to have that option later.

cmreal04 · Post by **cmreal04** » Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:03 pm

sounddevisor wrote:I love my Tascam DR40. I've had it for a couple of years, use for everything from field recording to documenting band rehearsals to quick-and-dirty live show recording. The built-in mics are surprisingly good (for plastic POSes), but the fact that you can plug in "real" mics (and even phantom power them) turns this from a toy into a real tool.

Regardless of which brand/model you settle on, I highly recommend getting a unit that can accept input from external mics. Even if you don't have them already, you will be very glad to have that option later.

Yeah I've had mine for about 6 months and mostly use it as a lyric sketch pad...happy with my choice.

Pitch Black · Post by **Pitch Black** » Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:44 pm

One caveat about the Zoom H4N, while it can record 4 tracks simultaneously (2 internal mics + 2 external mics/line inputs) beware when using the external combo XLR/TRS inputs with line-level sources, they are not really true line-level inputs - and they can distort even when the meters are below zero.

In other words if, say, recording a live gig with the built-in mics plus a stereo line-input from the sound mixer, you have to make VERY SURE to keep your line-inputs at a lower level, or the analog input stages will distort well before you get to zero db on the meters.

EDIT: It turns out the jack inputs on the H4N are considered "instrument" inputs, rather than "line". A little disingenuous when you consider the above live gig recording scenario is one use-case that Zoom use as a selling point.

empathy1 · Post by **empathy1** » Wed Apr 01, 2015 1:14 am

sounddevisor wrote:I love my Tascam DR40. I've had it for a couple of years, use for everything from field recording to documenting band rehearsals to quick-and-dirty live show recording. The built-in mics are surprisingly good (for plastic POSes), but the fact that you can plug in "real" mics (and even phantom power them) turns this from a toy into a real tool.

Regardless of which brand/model you settle on, I highly recommend getting a unit that can accept input from external mics. Even if you don't have them already, you will be very glad to have that option later.

What mics do you use? I'm definitely looking at other mics to use it with as well.

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Wed Apr 01, 2015 5:32 am

Rode ixyl here, works great with the iPhone and can be used with other apps too.

penguinpajamas · Post by **penguinpajamas** » Wed Apr 01, 2015 6:36 am

I use the Tascam DR-07 and it works great. It's got two microphones that you can rotate to record in either XY or AB and the stereo spacing the thing gets is insane. It picks up quite a bit of wind though, but otherwise I have no real complaints with it.

chrk · Post by **chrk** » Wed Apr 01, 2015 6:46 am

penguinpajamas wrote: It picks up quite a bit of wind though,

Look at Rycote Portable Recorder Solutions (scroll down for the single mini windshields).
There's one for each of the more popular handhelds , definitely for the DR-07. They're pricey but quite effective, the next best thing after mounting an external microphone in a blimp

fishmonkey · Post by **fishmonkey** » Wed Apr 01, 2015 7:24 am

chrk wrote:
penguinpajamas wrote: It picks up quite a bit of wind though,
Look at Rycote Portable Recorder Solutions (scroll down for the single mini windshields).
There's one for each of the more popular handhelds , definitely for the DR-07. They're pricey but quite effective, the next best thing after mounting an external microphone in a blimp

it's essential to have a windshield for outdoor recording with wind.

i got a good one from this mob through their eBay store, much cheaper than the Rycote ones:

http://www.ebay.com/usr/mikrofon-windschutz

Garry Knight · Post by **Garry Knight** » Wed Apr 01, 2015 2:18 pm

I use a Zoom Hn2 which gives me great results and can also sit on top of my DSLR as an external video mic. But I don't advise you to get one unless you're prepared to use an external mic with it that has a 3mm mini jack cable. There aren't any XLR sockets as it's just too small. Great for keeping in your pocket, though, and good for grabbing sounds quickly as they happen since it has a hold lock so you can leave it on and locked in your pocket then take it out, slip the lock off and hit record.

The type of windshield to go for is usually called a 'dead cat'. They're much more effective than the foam ones. I have a foam one and sometimes have to put one hand upwind of it to reduce the noise.

empathy1 · Post by **empathy1** » Wed Apr 01, 2015 2:20 pm

Garry Knight wrote:I use a Zoom Hn2 which gives me great results and can also sit on top of my DSLR as an external video mic. But I don't advise you to get one unless you're prepared to use an external mic with it that has a 3mm mini jack cable. There aren't any XLR sockets as it's just too small. Great for keeping in your pocket, though, and good for grabbing sounds quickly as they happen since it has a hold lock so you can leave it on and locked in your pocket then take it out, slip the lock off and hit record.

The type of windshield to go for is usually called a 'dead cat'. They're much more effective than the foam ones. I have a foam one and sometimes have to put one hand upwind of it to reduce the noise.

is a dead cat the one that looks like a sample of wookie fur

Garry Knight · Post by **Garry Knight** » Wed Apr 01, 2015 2:38 pm

Yes. And now you mention it wookie fur does look a little like a dead cat.

fishmonkey · Post by **fishmonkey** » Wed Apr 01, 2015 8:31 pm

dead kitten...

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