So I'm considering as a first rig something that would cost me around 600$. I'm planning to go stealthing for the most part...
I've read the "Getting Started" post, and it's written that an AKG C1000S and a Sony D8 could do the trick...
Hi Francesco,
You were right in reading the Getting Started. But unfortunately, the gear chapter is heavily outdated! There's a lot of new gear which isn't mentioned there. So DAT and MD recorders are way past the point of being useful, unless you were on a shoestring budget.
The c1000s aren't really stealthable. You need to consider that these should be hat mounted.
For a European taper, the universal recommendation for a starter mic kit is the Church Audio setup (Church mics + Church Pre).
These come in different flavors. Since you will be taping in seated venues with nice acoustics, macacopowa is right in recommending omnis. But for stadium type gigs, noisy rock crowds etc you will need cardioids too. With your budget, you can still afford it!
You should consider this offer:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,90474.0.htmlThe CA setup will be less than $300 (shipping extra on top of this), so you can afford a recorder for some $250 + shipping.
An Iriver (H1xx or H3xx) would be a very decent first choice, can be had for less than $150 with Paypal promotion code, but you'd have to pick up a USB charger cable separately:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,100758.msg1344265.html#msg1344265You can pick up an R-09 on ebay for around $250, since it's being replaced and phased out:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300214028566Or if you want to buy from a reputable retailer, they are less than $300 new:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,99200.0.htmlRebate form here, although I don't know if you can use it from Europe:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,101858.0.htmlThere is a great offer on the Tascam DR-1 for $249:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,97474.0.htmlOr the DR-1 + cardioids combo for $298:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,100881.msg1343585.html#msg1343585Each of these recorders have their pros and cons, depending on your preferences. Some additional questions:
- do you ever see yourself running optical-in in the future? In that case go for the H1xx.
- are you concerned about size (for stealthing)? H120 and R-09 are about the same size, DR-1 considerably bigger. If the venues in Italy are heavy on pat-downs and frisking, I'd stay away from the DR-1.
- would built-in mics be an added advantage to you? Go for DR-1 or R-09.
- are you planning to tape 24bit? In that case go for the R-09 or DR-1.
- do you go to festivals without charging facilities? R-09 runs on AA batteries, as opposed to Iriver and DR-1.
- are you careful with your gear or not? The R-09 has a weak line-in jack. Chris Church and maybe others here on TS offer a mod to strenghten the jack, but I'm not sure it would be within your budget.
I don't have first hand experience of R-09 or DR-1, but members from each camp here can vouch for one or the other. Spyder wrote a very good evaluation:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,97231.msg1343749.html#msg1343749Another brief overview here:
http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/compare-portable-recorders.html