most recent 30 from http://socialsounddesign.com 2013-05-21T20:38:09Z http://socialsounddesign.com/feeds/question/2214 http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/2214/needing-some-advice-for-a-small-budget-sound-recording-setup littlejim84 2010-07-23T19:47:08Z 2010-07-23T20:49:37Z

<p>I'm currently into a project where I'll be needing to provide sounds in various formats, covering a whole spectrum of topices (ambience, household, human, impact etc). I will need to be providing these in a variety of formats 44.1khz 16bit, 48khz 24bit, 96khz 24bit. The sounds have to be of a good and usable format for others to use in their multimedia projects.</p> <p>Currently (and it's not much) but I have a MacBook Pro, an Apogee Duet interface, a AKG C 414 B-XLS microphone, a Zoom H2 and a Shure SM58 microphone.</p> <p>When it comes to a setup sound stage to record sounds, I plan to use my MacBook Pro, the Apogee and my (and whatever other) mics. But out and about? I've found the Zoom H2 just doesn't cut it. The sounds it records are lifeless and dry, though I didn't expect much to be honest.</p> <p>So I was looking into options for a portable digital recorder and other mics to get so I can really get this project going. I need some help! My budget is £600-£700 (which from what I can see isn't much).</p> <p>The Tascam DR-100 looks good, as I'm thinking XLRs are important for this. But then what microphone to get? Do I get a shotgun and a stereo mic? Do I get two microphones and use them as a stereo pair? (but then what about travelling around with this?) Do I need to get a stereo and a mono microphone, or can I just use the stereo with one channel when it comes to recording mono? I hear the Tascam DR-100 is quite quiet when recording with the XLRs, so the gain has to be up, resulting in noise fuzz.</p> <p>Even after deciding on what portable recorder, and what mic(s) to get, do I need a boom pole? A pistol grip? Wind protection?</p> <p>...my head is literally spinning with the options out there. And it's made tougher due to my small budget and the fact I have no real places to test all this stuff out before buying. I'm really concerned with quality, but I know my budget will sacrifice it. I want to ensure the very best for these sounds... Where do I turn?</p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/2214/needing-some-advice-for-a-small-budget-sound-recording-setup/2215#2215 Justin Huss 2010-07-23T20:05:26Z 2010-07-23T20:24:18Z

<p>Hey Jim,</p> <p>I bought a DR-100 from Red Dog and yes I do find it noisy. The onboard mics are ok with the gain (the stereo pair of cardioids performs ok, but obviously the omnis are crap), but in XLR it's another story. The thing is I'm using an AT8015 that has a 250 ohms output. Since then I found out that you want your mic output impedance to be about a tenth of your preamp input impedance, which in the case of the Tascam is of 1.2kHz.</p> <p>Iain McGregor suggested I get myself a Rode NT1-A since it's a non-expensive cardioid with lower self-noise. It happens that it has a 100 ohms output impedance which, in theory, fits the Tascam pretty well! I was looking at NT5's but I got recommended the NT1-A instead (in a low budget situation).</p> <p>I got recommended the Tascam on GearSlutz for its preamps low noise floor, and I listened to recordings from it with a KM184, a 50 ohms output mic.</p> <p>The Tascam is a joy to use otherwise, it just needs a roughly 100 ohms output impedance mic :)</p> <p>EDIT: I had the same budget as you do and the Tascam was the best candidate I found. Then you'll probably want a cardioid condenser mic like the NT1-A. I don't think the wind kit fits in your budget and I don't feel like I can help any further.</p> <p><img src="http://www.rodemic.com/images/mics/nt1-a_001.jpg" alt="alt text"><img src="http://www.rodemic.com/images/mics/nt1-a_polar.jpg" alt="alt text"><img src="http://www.rodemic.com/images/mics/nt1-a_freq.jpg" alt="alt text"></p>

http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/2214/needing-some-advice-for-a-small-budget-sound-recording-setup/2217#2217 Joe Thomas Cavers 2010-07-23T20:49:37Z 2010-07-23T20:49:37Z

<p>I'm far from an expert on the subject, but I think a used Fostex FR2 would be in your budget, I hear they're pretty damn good.</p> <p>Anyone else want to chime in with some experience on the subject?</p> <p>Joe</p>