New field recorder (1 Viewer)

[Mark Lew1s]

Hi all, I may well be in the market for a new field recorder and I’m asking here for recommendations as well as doing loads of other research.

To date I’ve used Tascam DR100 mk3 recorders, but these are no longer available. I find that they make pretty nice recordings, but it seems like the feature I might miss the most is that you can plug them in and charge an internal battery which gives 4+ hours recording time.

Can anyone recommend a high performing recorder with this feature? I’d be grateful for recommendations at any price range. Must have 32 bit float, xlr compatible, provide phantom power….basically everything my old Tascam used to do!

Many thanks in advance,
Mark

 

[3dpan]

Hi all, I may well be in the market for a new field recorder and I’m asking here for recommendations as well as doing loads of other research.

To date I’ve used Tascam DR100 mk3 recorders, but these are no longer available. I find that they make pretty nice recordings, but it seems like the feature I might miss the most is that you can plug them in and charge an internal battery which gives 4+ hours recording time.

Can anyone recommend a high performing recorder with this feature? I’d be grateful for recommendations at any price range. Must have 32 bit float, xlr compatible, provide phantom power….basically everything my old Tascam used to do!

Many thanks in advance,
Mark

Unless you need integral mics as well as mic input connectors, why not choose the Tascam FR-AV2. That model appeals to me because of it's relatively large display screen, and has very good EiN figures. I don't know about its battery life though.
Personally I use a ZOOM F3, which I bought before the release of the FR-AV2. Maybe I would have bought the Tascam instead, had it been available.
For extended battery life on the F3 I just use an external USB power pack. The low EiN level is more important to me than internal battery life.

 

[Jon.Bryant]

Unless you need integral mics as well as mic input connectors, why not choose the Tascam FR-AV2

I have recently been using this recorder, but struggle with the screen settings. With the power settings that I have selected, the screen dims after a a few seconds, but it dims to the point that in bright weather you cannot easily discern the meter levels at all.

I will try playing with settings, but I suspect that if I keep the screen on and increase the brightness, it will start to gobble up batter power.

Again only a suspicion, but I am guessing that the smaller and more basic display on the Zoom F3, will be better for battery life.

Both the F£ and the FR-AV2 can be powered by an external battery, but I prefer to keep wired connections and weight to a minimum. I seems strange to have one of these light weight, small recorders, but then to have to carry a USB battery pack!

Of course both the F3 and FR-AV2 are a bit strange to carry, as they are not 'standard' size and shape field recorder size. I actually, have been playing with bolting the recorders to my mic handles. This works, but it is best if you can get to come up with a configuration that has the recorder in line with the handle - otherwise the pull to the left or right, means more pressure on the mic handle and more chance of noise.

Otherwise I think both are good recorders.

 

[3dpan]

Thank you, Jon, for those observations.
It's because of the typical handling noise that for me, field recording means setting up mic and recorder on a tripod and standing back/walking away. More of a planned recording session.
I wasn't thinking of the "point-and-shoot" option which might be more common with hikers etc when the extra weight of a tripod would be inconvenient, at least.

 

[Montereyman]

I like the Sound Devices MixPre II which provide phantom power and have 32-bit float recording. Mine fits nicely inside a Strut STR-MP3 field case along with cables and an Anker Power Bank that can provide power to the MixPre with a USB-C cable. I get many hours of recording and the Anker is quick to recharge. Much easier than using a sled with AA batteries or the NP type batteries and the Anker power banks are now selling for only $30.

 

[Jon.Bryant]

Much easier than using a sled with AA batteries or the NP type batteries and the Anker power banks are now selling for only $30.

Yes the Mix-Pre is great although it takes a bit of time to get used to the input routing and what the gain controls do.

I use mine with a sled with NP type batteries and it is pretty simple. The sled has a panel that fits into the back of the recorder and a cable leading to the battery sled. This means the sled can sit in the front pocket of my recorder bag (with a spare battery or two). It is then very simple to open the pocket and swap the battery. That said a big NP battery lasts a long time anyway.

…but I wouldn’t try running the recorder on AAs. As it quickly comps through small battery power.

 

[Montereyman]

With a USB-C connected battery bank the battery can be in a separe pocket in the carrier and much easier to change out the Anker in the field.

Cornell has an excellent tutorial on their setup for the MixPre records that includes linking two channels to be adjusted with a single gain knob.

Setting up the Sound Devices MixPre-3

The Sound Devices MixPre-3 is a professional quality, durable, and portable field recorder that is very user-friendly. However, the out-of-the-box settings are not ideal for using in the field. We rec

www.macaulaylibrary.org

I have owned several different recorders and I have found the Sound Devices to have the most user friendly interface.