Topic: Best Solid State recorder for Logic/Mac based postproduction?

[andromedanwarmachine]

Hello- going to stick my neck out here and ask what may be regarded as a daft question- or in fact one that has been answered elsewhere I'm sure...

Having managed to avoid computer technology for sometime, I am now resigned to having to confront a new recording format which will integrate directly with it. My question is this- having adopted Mac/Logic Studio technology as my postproduction tool of choice,

is there a location recorder suited to/optimised for producing files types ideal for this kind of work?

Budget is pretty much open ended- I was budgeting for a Sound Devices 702 although if I could spend half as much I'd be very happy...

Thanks

JimP

[andromedanwarmachine]

sorry- hang on; there's something else I should mention-

I tend to block-record entire days when I travel, so I need something which will be able to handle enormous file sizes -although I understand it would be safer (and easier to transfer) if I break up the length.  Or more to the point; a machine that is able to take media that will accomodate the longest possible record times. (microdrive?)

Thanks

JimP

[andromedanwarmachine]

"bump" as they say- can anybody help me out here...?

[earmonger]

Every serious recorder now records .wav files that will be just fine for your Mac. It's not an issue any more.

Do you want the absolute best possible, into the super-audiophile realm? Or do you just want better-than-CD quality? Does your source require an ultra-low-noise built-in preamp, for quiet sounds, or is it amplified music?

Even a little recorder like my beloved Sony PCM-M10 takes a 16GB microSD card, plus 4 GB internally. That's about 60  mins of .wav recording per GB, or  20 hours total. If you just leave it running the unit will break it into seamless 2GB files, and shift between internal and external memory.

I don't think you'd want an unbroken 16GB file for post-processing because the program might have trouble loading something that big into memory.

My own feeling is that you're better off getting a PCM-M10 and splurging on good microphones and preamp than getting a super-duper recorder and giving it a merely adequate input.

[rastasean]

spend good money on mics, pre-amps, and cables. The recorder doesn't need to be secondary but, as earmonger says, the m10 would work quite well for you.
I would also make sure you have a pair of comfortable, closed style headphones.

Take a look at this chart for more in depth, detailed information on ALL kinds of recorders:
https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/type/www/audio-reports/RecorderList/RecorderList.htm

[andromedanwarmachine]

That's amazing- what a resource- thankyou...

[andromedanwarmachine]

Let me ask you this then...

what would be your comments differentiating between the M10 and the Fostex FR2-LE...?

[rastasean]

The 2LE is a great all in one machine for the poorman who can't afford another two channel recorder like the sound devices 702. Since you haven't mentioned the need for digital input, I wouldn't concern myself with a two channel recorder with digi input like the Marantz PMD661.
There are a few funky things on the 2le that I don't quite understand. The main one for me is that a compact flash card can only record in one bit rate before re-formatting. If you set the machine to record 44.1/16, it will remain that way and you will not be able to change it until you reformat.
People talk about how plastic feeling the 2le is (and of course it is) but I have held a Marantz PMD660 (not digi) and if felt way more plastic like and hallow, the 2le seems more solid than it by a long shot.
There are not too many similarities between the m10 and the 2le except the fact they both are portable, high quality recorders. I know on the yahoo nature recording group, people favor the 2le because it is a quiet machine and doesn't have a lot of self noise; the same could be said about the m10 especially when running a pre-amp in front of it.

I don't know if you know this or not but the 2le does not only run on aa batteries but remote control style 7.2 volt batteries for a longer recording time;  of course you could always use rechargeable AA batteries in the recorder.

Are you now interested in the 2le?

[willndmb]

depending on your mics and what you are actually going to be recording the fr2le might be better or worse
ie size and 48v
i will tell you this though - i have trouble from time to time getting the fr2le to stay connected and transfer a large file 100% without having to restart it
never once had an issue with the m10
so bottom line is if you go fr2le get a card reader for better transfers

[andromedanwarmachine]

Thanks for this-

Yeah, I could be interested in the 2LE, it's just a question of finding the right gear. I had a Sony TCD-D3 about 18 years ago and it was really let down by the mic-amps it had. Plus it was unbalanced I/P and a really funny shape. The M10 and D50 remind me of that piece of gear in that it was quite awkward to have round your back or over your shoulder, you know...? Should you wear it on your belt?! I don't know what bag options are available off the shelf (I've made bags for gear in the past) without making it much larger but handling shape aside I don't think you can knock the fully balanced I/Ps. I don't need it to be stealthy as 90% of my recording is outdoor and it's good to have something you can put down on the ground without worrying about what's going to get into it. Sony stuff is gorgeous but very "pretty" you know and kind of like a Swiss-watch I feel...

I'd take a lot of convincing to go for another Marantz to be honest- I spent £800 on a PMD-650 in '01 and first night in Delhi it started dropping discs- hours of footage lost- fortunately I'd brought my Sony R3 with me for a laugh and the trip was "saved" so to speak. I daresay more recent Marantz gear is totally different (let alone mechanically) but I ended up dealing with Marantz Professional and their service-subcontractor and they were terrible!! Which is a shame as I really like Marantz gear...

I had a Fostex R8 1/4" multitrack recorder and it was a great piece of gear and the 2LE is a smaller brother of the really serious FR2- I think they know how to build great location recorders. Don't get me wrong- there have been some great Sony pieces of gear, up there with the classic recorders from Tascam, Marantz, Fostex & Nagra.

Powering is a big issue as well and I can't pretend I'm not swayed by the 2LEs versatility in that respect- this might sound bonkers but I think I would always rather have a piece of gear that could run in a number of ways rather than go for miles on a single type of cell.

That's good advice about the card reader- thankyou...

JimP