Topic: Tascam dr100 users advice sought

[eddie1]

Hi all

Newbie here but been lurking for awhile, please could I get some advice:

I'm using a tascam dr100 with an xlr microphone (beyerdyamic  m58)and like the unit very much but find I have to use high gain and have the input levels up all the way up all the time to get anywhere near decent levels .

Does anyone know if the mark2 version solves this issue ?

I.e the pre amps are better / stronger?

Or should I be looking to another make of recorder ?

Thanks

[rodeen]

I don't own a DR-100 so I hope this isn't a stupid question but do you have phantom power turned on?  I was also wondering what you were recording?

[eddie1]

Interviews / ambient sounds mostly
Phantom power not required for mic I am using so makes no difference

[dida104]

Hi,

The Beyer M58 is a dynamic microphone, it's sensitivity is 1.3mV/Pa, output level is too little to drive the DR-100. Get a condenser mic with more than 10mV/Pa sensitivity, its output is enough. I have a DR-100 and a Rode NT4 stereo mic. I record mainly birdsongs and atmosphere of a forest and this set is perfect for this.

[eddie1]

Thanks that's very helpful post
What if I found a recorder with more sensitivity would that work with the mic?

[dallman]

Using XLR imputs, if you cannot use phantom power, I am not sure what would work, but I know the Marantz PMD 661 does have preset db adjustments and with 48V I find it necessary to attenuate by -18db for music recording with condenser mics. Additionally there are adjustments for -12db, -6db, and 0db, so your mics might work with this deck. The Marantz PMD 661 is in a different price category though. It might be easier to find a more "handheld recorder friendly" mic.

[dida104]

Fostex FR-2LE, Marantz PMD-661, Olympus LS-100 - these have more sensitive inputs and lower noise levels than the Tascam DR-100, all have XLR connectors. But I still say it's better buying a suitable condenser mic.

[eddie1]

Yes thanks I  was pointed to an audio technica AT 8010 dynamic mic as a solution

[dida104]

The AT8010 seems OK (it is a condenser mic), but - in my opinion - look at the AT2031: it is a cardioid high sensitivity mic with lower noise than the AT8010, or the Rode NT55 (it has exchangeable cardioid and omnidirectional capsules), both operate with phantom power only. If you want to record in stereo, consider the AT2022 (battery operation only) or the Rode NT4.

[stevetoney]

A little additional feedback to what has already been offered is that when it comes to sound quality, the general concensus is the microphone is the most important element in the chain.  It looks like you've already decided to put your money into mics, so I think that's a good decision.