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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: rumbleseat on July 03, 2019, 10:01:43 PM

Title: Looking for suggestions for a field recorder with XLR inputs
Post by: rumbleseat on July 03, 2019, 10:01:43 PM
Hi!

Just got back from Bonnaroo, and I'm sick and tired of dragging my Tascam DR-680 MKII around in a backpack when I only need to record 2 channels.  I used to use an iriver H320 and that's a perfect size, but I've upgraded my mics and need 48 volts and XLR inputs.
So, what's out there that would work well??  I think the Tascam DR-100 MKIII would work but it's fairly expensive.  I also don't need the internal microphones but maybe every deck would have those.
I've also got a Edirol UA-5 DigiMod, so a plain music player as a "bit bucket" would work, but maybe that's too many wires and battery packs.
Any suggestions for current or recently obsolete equipment that would work well??
Thanks!
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions for a field recorder with XLR inputs
Post by: DavidPuddy on July 03, 2019, 10:30:28 PM
I have a Shure FP-24 and M10 as a backup/travel rig and it's only one more cable than when I use my Mixpre6.
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions for a field recorder with XLR inputs
Post by: jefflester on July 03, 2019, 11:49:33 PM
Tascam DR-40? Not sure how good the preamps are.
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions for a field recorder with XLR inputs
Post by: inoutoffocus on July 04, 2019, 12:14:19 AM
What bands did you tape at roo?
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions for a field recorder with XLR inputs
Post by: ycoop on July 04, 2019, 03:33:16 AM
What bands did you tape at roo?

Second this question! Still waiting for the (until now?) elusive Phish tapes.

As for the original question, the DR-60d has proven to be a reliable deck for me. Four channels, two XLR jacks with phantom and a stereo mini. Preamps are pretty darn good for the price. You’ll need an external USB power pack to power it through a full show though. It tears through AAs but sips power from USB batteries, in my experience.
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions for a field recorder with XLR inputs
Post by: rumbleseat on July 04, 2019, 07:16:37 AM
Thanks for the suggestions!
The DR-40 should work, but I have no idea about the preamps.  It seems to me that there should be some objective way to assess preamp quality, no?  Maybe we should start a separate thread for that.

I taped a bunch of shows at the THIS and THAT tents, but nothing on the main stages.  I'll be posting them on DIME, but not for several months due to a backlog of other recordings.
The Phish shows are available for purchase on https://www.livephish.com/.

Title: Re: Looking for suggestions for a field recorder with XLR inputs
Post by: heathen on July 04, 2019, 01:09:29 PM
MixPre-3 should be under consideration.
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions for a field recorder with XLR inputs
Post by: jerryfreak on July 04, 2019, 02:54:29 PM
for two channels the dr100-mkiii is a great unit and affordable

oade mod marantz pmd 661 is a little larger and also has great size

both are smaller and more battery efficient than a mixpre3
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions for a field recorder with XLR inputs
Post by: rocksuitcase on July 05, 2019, 02:30:56 AM
for two channels the dr100-mkiii is a great unit and affordable

oade mod marantz pmd 661 is a little larger and also has great size

both are smaller and more battery efficient than a mixpre3
kindms and I own an M10 and PMD661 (OADE mod) respectively. used them for all kinds of situations. For open taping, I'd go 661, and even get an OADE modded one. We do use the M10 with an SD mic pre or a V2 for a very small rig. It is what it is (great SQ and small).
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions for a field recorder with XLR inputs
Post by: heathen on July 05, 2019, 02:11:55 PM
No affiliation, but just a heads up: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=191146.0
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions for a field recorder with XLR inputs
Post by: kindms on July 06, 2019, 10:52:28 AM
Hi!

Just got back from Bonnaroo, and I'm sick and tired of dragging my Tascam DR-680 MKII around in a backpack when I only need to record 2 channels.  I used to use an iriver H320 and that's a perfect size, but I've upgraded my mics and need 48 volts and XLR inputs.
So, what's out there that would work well??  I think the Tascam DR-100 MKIII would work but it's fairly expensive.  I also don't need the internal microphones but maybe every deck would have those.
I've also got a Edirol UA-5 DigiMod, so a plain music player as a "bit bucket" would work, but maybe that's too many wires and battery packs.
Any suggestions for current or recently obsolete equipment that would work well??
Thanks!

what kind of mics are you running ?

mics >pfa>recorder might be an option to handle your 48v needs
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions for a field recorder with XLR inputs
Post by: rumbleseat on July 06, 2019, 12:59:15 PM
I run either AKG C480B with cardioid capsules or AKG C568EB short shotguns, so I need standard 48V phantom power.  I already have a pair of Naiant PFA phantom power adapters for my 9V Church mics.  That's a nice combination, but the PFAs require standard 48V phantom power that they step down to the desired mic voltage (as I understand it...)

Thanks for all the suggestions!!!

I'm also going to include the Tascam DR-44WL in the list.  It appears that this unit has better internal mics than the DR-40X, but the preamps are not as good as the DR-100.  The DR-44WL throws in wireless control though - so you can mount it 9' in the air on a stand and still start/stop and adjust levels (and skip the external mics altogether).
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions for a field recorder with XLR inputs
Post by: jb63 on July 06, 2019, 06:05:20 PM
Just a suggestion:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=183965.msg2302524#msg2302524

I have a warm mod 661 and a concert mod 661 I’d like to move. Both are perfect and it come with a battery that will run the thing all day.

Sorry for the self hype!
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions for a field recorder with XLR inputs
Post by: kindms on July 06, 2019, 09:35:14 PM
I run either AKG C480B with cardioid capsules or AKG C568EB short shotguns, so I need standard 48V phantom power.  I already have a pair of Naiant PFA phantom power adapters for my 9V Church mics.  That's a nice combination, but the PFAs require standard 48V phantom power that they step down to the desired mic voltage (as I understand it...)

Thanks for all the suggestions!!!

I'm also going to include the Tascam DR-44WL in the list.  It appears that this unit has better internal mics than the DR-40X, but the preamps are not as good as the DR-100.  The DR-44WL throws in wireless control though - so you can mount it 9' in the air on a stand and still start/stop and adjust levels (and skip the external mics altogether).

there is a pfa that can be powered to supply phantom is my understanding. a single that juices a stereo pair
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions for a field recorder with XLR inputs
Post by: cd2go on July 21, 2019, 03:46:39 PM
Tascam DR-40? Not sure how good the preamps are.

I have had the DR-40 for many years. Originally I used the XLR line ins to record from my SD Mixpre. The inputs can handle a very hot input from soundboards also. As for the preamps with mics recording amplified music, below are examples. The first link is at a seated dinner theater and listen how dead quiet it is in between songs when there is "silence". These are very quiet and hot mics and I usually record with the input at 0 and use the Dual level feature which records a second track at -12dB. Even for very loud club shows (see last link) I have yet to clip. I believe the preamps to be very similar to the 60D. If you don't need the extra functionality of that deck, the DR-40 is very light and simple. I have never had an issue with any of my Tascam decks flaking out in any way. They're cheap and they work, certainly worth a shot on a budget, may be all you need. Not a comp but just some FYI...

https://archive.org/details/yarn2017-02-25.tmpc1.dr40.cd2go

https://archive.org/details/yarn2018-02-02.tmpc1.dr40.cd2go

https://archive.org/details/localh2019-07-19.cd2go