Topic: Poll: New Tapeless Gear

[wbrisette]

Just figured it was time to see what people are really dreaming about.

[John Kelly]

I chose the 722, but I know it's not going to happen this year.  It's more than I want, but for now it seems to be the only real solution for what I'm looking for.

[Ed.]

i went with the laptop.  i still think at the moment its the best bang for the buck.  not only can it tape, it can track, edit, flac, and bt the source.  and if you want to you can even burn a copy of the show you jsut taped for the band.

the sd722 is nice, but its not all that stealthy, i'd rather have the laptop and get more variety - not to mention the money you drop on that can be spent buying one helluva nice lappy and batts to power it.  thats just me tho.  i personally am hoping that something cheaper comes out that will cater to my needs.

[Sean Gallemore]

if I had the kablingy, 722

[John Kelly]

i went with the laptop.  i still think at the moment its the best bang for the buck.  not only can it tape, it can track, edit, flac, and bt the source.  and if you want to you can even burn a copy of the show you jsut taped for the band.

the sd722 is nice, but its not all that stealthy, i'd rather have the laptop and get more variety - not to mention the money you drop on that can be spent buying one helluva nice lappy and batts to power it.  thats just me tho.  i personally am hoping that something cheaper comes out that will cater to my needs.

I have a laptop, and I use to tape with it.  However a concert is not the best environment for them.  Especially the iBook since it has to be open to run...

[Ed.]

i went with the laptop.  i still think at the moment its the best bang for the buck.  not only can it tape, it can track, edit, flac, and bt the source.  and if you want to you can even burn a copy of the show you jsut taped for the band.

the sd722 is nice, but its not all that stealthy, i'd rather have the laptop and get more variety - not to mention the money you drop on that can be spent buying one helluva nice lappy and batts to power it.  thats just me tho.  i personally am hoping that something cheaper comes out that will cater to my needs.

I have a laptop, and I use to tape with it.  However a concert is not the best environment for them.  Especially the iBook since it has to be open to run...

true, but i think at this point, i'd rather buy a laptop to tape with than the other gear, its still too early for me to decide on one.  plus a laptop seems practical to me, cuz you can use it for other stuff too.  i actually have a lappy, but i can't use it for taping cuz the screen doesn't work and you have to use an external monitor to use it. (still it only cost me $200 so i can't complain) - i'll be sticking with the jb3 until something better comes along.  i just forsee something coming that will do the trick and not cost close to $3k

[caymanreview]

i used to be all about laptop taping, but after running a few different lappies in the field, i wouldnt do it again

im sticking with the jb3 for a good time i think, but we will see

[silverbullet]

If I could change my vote it would be for the 722. I have a JB3 and lappie already. Sometimes I would just like to pack light, no lappie or FW410. Lappie is nice to burn cds at a show and record higher than 16/48 but like tonight I'm just taking a V3 and JB3 with me to lighten my load. If I had a 722 I think I would bring that instead of the JB3 tonight. Where to find the money $$$ 

[wbrisette]

I have a laptop, and I use to tape with it.  However a concert is not the best environment for them.  Especially the iBook since it has to be open to run...

what are you using with the iBook? I haven't really found too much that has impressed me in the way of portable input sound cards, but then I've been looking for something that would simply allow me to take a feed off my AD2K+.

Wayne

[caymanreview]

John ran a M-Audio firewire 410 when he ran his lappy. it could be used as an all in one box or to take a straight digi feed

or you could simplify that and just use a m-audio audiophile

[nic]

I voted FR2, but it would be a Oade moded unit, not stock.
I really just dont see the advantages of the 722 over the modFR2.

can someone expound on what the 722 would have above the modFR2?

[lds490]

PDA.
With flash memory getting cheaper, PDA allows stealthable 24/96 recording.

[neumannkid]

PDA.
With flash memory getting cheaper, PDA allows stealthable 24/96 recording.

I have to admit I was definitely impressed with RDunn's PDA (Ipaq) nothing like being able to 24/96 with a small box .

[John Kelly]

Yeah, cayman is right, I ran the Firewire 410.  Worked great, fed it a digital signal a few times with no complaints.

I voted FR2, but it would be a Oade moded unit, not stock.
I really just dont see the advantages of the 722 over the modFR2.

can someone expound on what the 722 would have above the modFR2?

Size for one thing.  The FR2 is huge.  The 722 is a tad smaller than the v3.  Also the 722, like all other Sound Devices units, will be basically indestructible.  They are built like tanks.  Laptop hard drives are used over flash drives or 1.8" hds, which means you get way more space and don't have to worry about running out at a show.  

I'm sure there's more,  but that's why I want a 722 over an fr2.

[Sean Gallemore]

Size for one thing.  The FR2 is huge.  The 722 is a tad smaller than the v3.  Also the 722, like all other Sound Devices units, will be basically indestructible.  They are built like tanks.  Laptop hard drives are used over flash drives or 1.8" hds, which means you get way more space and don't have to worry about running out at a show.  

I'm sure there's more,  but that's why I want a 722 over an fr2.

QFT

[nic]

Size for one thing.  The FR2 is huge.  The 722 is a tad smaller than the v3.  Also the 722, like all other Sound Devices units, will be basically indestructible.  They are built like tanks.  Laptop hard drives are used over flash drives or 1.8" hds, which means you get way more space and don't have to worry about running out at a show. 

I'm sure there's more,  but that's why I want a 722 over an fr2.

size isn't a big concern to me as the FR2 is still smaller than a laptop.
I realize SD products are built like tanks...I own a MP2 
I would be recording at 24/48(or 44.1) so space isn't a issue, plus the 1.8" drives are pretty cheap, not to mention easily added to a DAW via PC Card reader.

I just dont like the ergonomics of the 722/744. way too many leds on the front and everything is bnc connections so you need adapters, etc. . .
I'm sure SD will get the firewire issue fixed before release, but the 'plusses'  do not, imo, justify its $1000 increase over a modFR2 as of yet.
hopefully we will know more when it is actually released/fully tested.

[Sean Gallemore]

Size for one thing.  The FR2 is huge.  The 722 is a tad smaller than the v3.  Also the 722, like all other Sound Devices units, will be basically indestructible.  They are built like tanks.  Laptop hard drives are used over flash drives or 1.8" hds, which means you get way more space and don't have to worry about running out at a show. 

I'm sure there's more,  but that's why I want a 722 over an fr2.

size isn't a big concern to me as the FR2 is still smaller than a laptop.
I realize SD products are built like tanks...I own a MP2 
I would be recording at 24/48(or 44.1) so space isn't a issue, plus the 1.8" drives are pretty cheap, not to mention easily added to a DAW via PC Card reader.

I just dont like the ergonomics of the 722/744. way too many leds on the front and everything is bnc connections so you need adapters, etc. . .
I'm sure SD will get the firewire issue fixed before release, but the 'plusses'  do not, imo, justify its $1000 increase over a modFR2 as of yet.
hopefully we will know more when it is actually released/fully tested.

where do you get $1000 from?  I swear there was just a thread disproving this misnomer.

[nic]

sorry, $800

[Govt Mule]

I still think it would be more like a difference of $600-700 to get comparable storage, power, and mods.


I am on the list for a 722

[nic]

I still think it would be more like a difference of $600-700 to get comparable storage, power, and mods.
I am on the list for a 722

isnt the modFR2 <$1600?  according to Sonic Sense, the 722 is right at $2400

you're not going to be able to get comparable storage between the 2 units.
the biggest drive you can currently get for the FR2 is the 5GB 1.8" PC Card drive, unless NicksPicks HD hack works. . .
if you don't record at 24/96 than you wont need multiple cards which saves $$

[wbrisette]

OK, who is the wise crack? I know I put the Cantar X on the list, but seriously who has 15K to spend on a multi-track unit? It's a way cool machine, but I don't know too many people (even film techs) who can afford one of these babies.

Wayne
(who got approval from the spouse to be put on the 744T list)

[Sean Gallemore]

I still think it would be more like a difference of $600-700 to get comparable storage, power, and mods.
I am on the list for a 722

isnt the modFR2 <$1600?  according to Sonic Sense, the 722 is right at $2400

you're not going to be able to get comparable storage between the 2 units.
the biggest drive you can currently get for the FR2 is the 5GB 1.8" PC Card drive, unless NicksPicks HD hack works. . .
if you don't record at 24/96 than you wont need multiple cards which saves $$

no one's trying to convince you.  Go join daryan

[John Kelly]

Size for one thing.  The FR2 is huge.  The 722 is a tad smaller than the v3.  Also the 722, like all other Sound Devices units, will be basically indestructible.  They are built like tanks.  Laptop hard drives are used over flash drives or 1.8" hds, which means you get way more space and don't have to worry about running out at a show. 

I'm sure there's more,  but that's why I want a 722 over an fr2.

size isn't a big concern to me as the FR2 is still smaller than a laptop.

It's about 2x the size of my current laptop.  That thing is huge.

And it's definitely a lot bigger than those sony laptops a lot of tapers use.

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

I voted FR2, but it would be a Oade moded unit, not stock.
I really just dont see the advantages of the 722 over the modFR2.

can someone expound on what the 722 would have above the modFR2?

internal 60G HD
internal power capacity
size

mostly the big HD.  60G of flash cards is alot of money or bring a laptop to the festival to dump your cards. 

also with the big capacity drive, you can start a 24/96 recording and stuff the recorder into your jeans for stealth situations.   With the FR2 and a current generation flash card, you may have to swap media to do that.

If it weren't for those things, I would have already blown off SD.

[jpschust]

I voted FR2, but it would be a Oade moded unit, not stock.
I really just dont see the advantages of the 722 over the modFR2.

can someone expound on what the 722 would have above the modFR2?

internal 60G HD
internal power capacity
size

mostly the big HD.  60G of flash cards is alot of money or bring a laptop to the festival to dump your cards. 

also with the big capacity drive, you can start a 24/96 recording and stuff the recorder into your jeans for stealth situations.   With the FR2 and a current generation flash card, you may have to swap media to do that.

If it weren't for those things, I would have already blown off SD.

don't forget quality of the build.  you know that none of the SD stuff is going to be made of plastic- it will all be metal.

[lds490]

PDA is definitely the cheapest and most stealthable recording system. 

You can pick up an IPAQ-based  stealth rig with a 4 GB CF card that will record 24/96 for about $850.  4 GB at 24/96 gives you about 120 minutes of recording time and it fits in the palm of your hand.  Or you can add a 40 GB hard drive for an addition $200.

This gear is definitely NOT built like a tank.  If you can deal with semi-fragile gear, it it a good option.

[Brian Skalinder]

Other:  a recorder-only tank-like box (no pre, no ADC) that supports 24/96.

[Simp-Dawg]

i voted cantar because it looks cool as hell.  no way i'd ever be able to afford it.

[BobW]

I still think it would be more like a difference of $600-700 to get comparable storage, power, and mods.
I am on the list for a 722

isnt the modFR2 <$1600?  according to Sonic Sense, the 722 is right at $2400

you're not going to be able to get comparable storage between the 2 units.
the biggest drive you can currently get for the FR2 is the 5GB 1.8" PC Card drive, unless NicksPicks HD hack works. . .
if you don't record at 24/96 than you wont need multiple cards which saves $$

no one's trying to convince you.  Go join daryan

And a multitude of others....
The FR-2 is outright FUN to record with.
Meters, switchable lights, goes dark to one red led.
Runs 24/48 over 7hrs on a laptop battery+the internal AA cells and one 5GB hard drive.

The hard drive plugs into your workstation for archiving to DVD and manipulation in Wavelab/SF/Waves/whatever.
Some of the downside is that you'd never stealth it unless you are really tricky & the stock built-in preamp won't make you write home to the folks about it.

You could do worse.
I'm sure that better boxes will make it to the street.......someday   

[Sean Gallemore]

I'm sure that better boxes will make it to the street.......someday   

yep, as soon as the SD722 starts shipping

[wbrisette]

I'm sure that better boxes will make it to the street.......someday   

yep, as soon as the SD722 starts shipping

Technically there are already better boxes on the market. The biggest issue is price. Got 15K to drop, buy the Cantar X, or even a Deva V unit. These are both systems that kick ass, but come at a heavy price penalty. The SD boxes are the first to bring that price down to a reasonable price point (under 5K -- four channels).

While I have a Wendt mixer, the SD mixer 442, was very high on my list, but the price point just wasn't there. With the 744 having most of the guts of the 442 in it, you know you have world class mic inputs and pre amps. In fact, once I get my hands on a 744, I'm going to finally sell my mixer (probably my AD2K as well).

Wayne

[tim in jersey]

WaveB'x?

Haven't heard of that before. A Little help?

[C.Clark]

i voted originally for the 722, raw version, and i might be changing my mind with
all the good fr-2 mod reviews around lately, decisions, decisions.

[Daryan]

I am curious...why vote for a box that not many have even used?

Just wondering..

[Brian Skalinder]

I am curious...why vote for a box that not many have even used?

:tunes:  Dreeeeeaaaam, dream dream dreeeaaam, dreeeeeaaaaam...  :tunes:   

[Sean Gallemore]

I am curious...why vote for a box that not many have even used?

Just wondering..

because it promises to kick your box's ass

[Brian Skalinder]

because it promises to kick your box's ass

I've listened to at least one comp, and I'll keep my V3, thank you.  If you're speaking for yourself, have you listened to the comps people have posted?  If you're speaking for "them", never mind. 

[Sean Gallemore]

because it promises to kick your box's ass

I've listened to at least one comp, and I'll keep my V3, thank you.  If you're speaking for yourself, have you listened to the comps people have posted?  If you're speaking for "them", never mind. 

not your box, silly

[Chris K]

as a sound devices fan, i think i would like the 722

but the fr-2 with doug's mods also is interesting

i gotta do more research...for now the jb3 is working just fine and the price is right

[wbrisette]

WaveB'x?

Haven't heard of that before. A Little help?

Sorry, I probably should have expanded on that one a bit.

http://www.thewavegroup.net/

I have no idea on price, but loolks like a souped up laptop.

Wayne

[hrminer92]

WaveB'x?

Haven't heard of that before. A Little help?

or links to the other contenders.

[I have a NJB3 and have been quite happy with it, but I wouldn't mind getting another HD recorder for the day it no longer works - hopefully that's a few years away . ') ]

[wbrisette]

or links to the other contenders.

OK, here you go:

FR2 : http://www.fostexdvd.net/fxdvd_route/docs/product/fr2/fr2_overview.htm
SD722 & SD744T : http://www.sounddevices.com/products/7.htm
Deva II, IV, V: http://www.zaxcom.com/audio/deva.shtml
Cantar X : http://www.aaton.com/products/sound/cantar/index.php
WaveB X: http://www.thewavegroup.net/
PC Laptop: Name your vendor and check there...
PowerBook/iBook: http://www.apple.com

Hope this helps you out.

Wayne

[jpschust]

I am curious...why vote for a box that not many have even used?

Just wondering..

i certainly won't be voting for that piece o crap trhe fr-2.  i got to see one the other day and that thing may possibly have the worst build quality ive seen in a long time.

[Brian Skalinder]

i certainly won't be voting for that piece o crap trhe fr-2.  i got to see one the other day and that thing may possibly have the worst build quality ive seen in a long time.

Judging by the hi-res pics, the R-4 looks like it'll give the FR-2 a run for its money on that front!!

[jpschust]

this ill never get- you are building a 1k+ ish peice of gear.  why do you skimp on what is probably the cheapest thing anyways?  why not just build a unit with decent casing?