So right now I’m doing some research on field recorders to find one that fits my fairly broad range of scenarios I would use it for:
I make DAWless music so portability plays a big role. My first area of use here would be recording the line out of my instruments on the go in high quality, in order to later edit it in the studio. Secondly, I was thinking about getting into sound design and recording ambient sounds to later use those in my music sessions. I was also thinking about using the microphones live to then tweak the sounds and loop them with my gear on the spot (Here the ability to send the incoming sound through the headphone out, getting tweaked in my music setup and THEN go back into the recorder to record the whole thing would be awesome, but I don’t think the A10 has the ability to do that).
And as you might have already read: Yes I would prefer to use the internal mics only. I’m not really planning on getting additional mics for the sake of carrying more with me all the time (Or are the internal microphones really this bad that you need external ones?).
Next to music I also do a bit of video shooting. So I thought I could use the field recorder as an external microphone to mount it on the hot shoe of my camera (the size of the A10 would come in handy for that) or use them separately and sync them in post. I’m currently using a Sony FDR ax33 for video. Would the A10 make a big enough upgrade to the internal microphone of my sony?
So I’m relatively new when it comes to field recorders. Do you think the A10 is a good beginner recorder that fits my needs? I’ve been also looking at the Tascam DR100 mk3 in the past (quite chunkier than the A10). The Sony PCM D100 seems to be in a completely different league compared to the two others but comes at a hefty price.
I’m thinking about getting something cheaper first and when I see my ideas work out I might take the plunge and get the D100…
But what do you guys think? Should I start small or should I go full quality immediately and get the D100?