Topic: portable recorder for "field recordings"

[F.O.Bean]

what about a used ad/20, does anybody know if those have gain

that would be suitable, i say thats your best bet, maybe some line transformers before the ad/20 to boost the signal a little, and the a/d stage of the ad/20 ispretty clean, IMO and would take care of your noisefloor a great bit, so i say thats your best bet

max price there, maybe like 200 for the ad/20, and then maybe 40 bux for line transformers, that sounds about right

[phonophobie]

if there is a analog one with more boost it would maybe be enough for me 

i just had a look at this site here: http://www.micsupply.com/ad20.htm
only +15db is not that much, right?

what do you think about those devices i posted in the beginning of this thread?
http://www.microphonemadness.com/products/mmsterpreamh.htm

good size and +40db boost

well, i am totally new to portable mic preamps so i don´t really know what to buy. afterall all i need is amplify my okm2 mic´s
( soundman.de)

thanks

[F.O.Bean]

under features of the ad/20, it says max gain is 45db, it just says that it improves a dat or MD machines gain by about 15 extra db, so that should almost be enuf gain right there

some of the things you record will be softer too, so you will need extra gain, buy line transformers and an ad/20 for the budget, the ua5 is a lil big for your applications, especially if you'll be on the move

but seriosuly, let your ears decide

[caymanreview]

i think the ad20 applies a minimum gain of 20db

[phonophobie]

ok, thanks - i should have read everything better before i posted this 15db-thing 

i found this infos about linetransformers here at taperssection:

A great way to add gain without buying a relatively expensive preamp.  Short on gain and don't have the cash for a preamp?  Or starting out and want to put as much money into your mics as possible and save for a preamp later (a wise choice) - line matching transformers are the way to go.  Clean, inexpensive gain to hold you over until you get the cash to support your upgrade bug.  Some options:

Audio Technica  (http://www.audiotechnica.com)
CP8201
CP8305
   
Hosa  (http://www.hosatech.com)
MIT-176

Shure  (http://www.shure.com)
A85F

okay, if i buy a linetransformer and the ad20, i have to find a way to connect my okm2 mic´s. 
the okm2 has a stereo miniplug ....

i noticed that it´s not that easy to find any of these things in stores here in germany..
and yes, it should be a small and easy setup, since want to record things on the fly
puh.. that whole thing gets really complicated for me ...
maybe i should open a thread in newbie section too 

[Brian Skalinder]

okay, if i buy a linetransformer and the ad20, i have to find a way to connect my okm2 mic´s. 
the okm2 has a stereo miniplug ....

Typically, you shouldn't need both the line transformers AND the AD-20.  The line transformers apply gain.  The AD-20 applies gain.  You don't need both.  And you'll need some sort of power for the mics (sorry, I'm not familiar with the OKM2's, so I don't know if they require internal power, battery box, or phantom).  At any rate, with the gear you've mentioned, you'd run one of these setups:

[1]  OKM2 > power for mics > line transformers > JB3
[2]  OKM2 > power for mics > AD-20 > JB3

In [1], you're using the line transformers for gain and the JB3's ADC.  In [2] you're using the AD-20 for gain and ADC.  I think [2] will sound better, but it's also the more expensive option.  Line transformers are cheap (approx USD$40/pr), so if you're on a budget I'd recommend [1] and see if you like it.  If you decide it doesn't sound good enough for your tastes, then you can always sell the line transformers and pick up an AD-20.

[phonophobie]

the okm need 6Volt power, and comes with a battery box ( my batteries are empty - always )
infos here : http://www.bluthard.de/preise/mikrofone/mikrofonevonokm.htm
and here: http://www.soundman.de/

so it´s not neccesarry to have an additional powerbox for the okm´s.
but i still have to get a couple of adapters to connect everything with Stereo-miniplugs!

also soundman dealers suggests to use the Sony SBM1 in addition to portable recorders:


but this is a expensive thing again - and like the deneke, it´s hard to find..

that line transformer only options sounds good, but how much gain will such line transformer provide?


hmm setup would be:

OKM2 > adapter from stereominiplug to > Stereo Linetransformer or 2 Mono Linetransformers > adapter from transformer(s) to miniplug > jb3

is that correct 

[Sean Gallemore]

what's up with Europeans and the OKMs?

SBM-1s used are $300
AD-20s used are $175?

[BobW]

Odd, why would anyone talk about portable recorders for "field recordings" on this board ?   

[phonophobie]