All other things being equal (such as position), you'll get a better recording the (great) majority of the time with better mics...You're a photographer, right? Do you use a cheap point-and-shoot or a fancy DSLR? I bring a cheap one to shows and I find the photos to be good enough for me and my purposes. I doubt you would find the same...
I would not disagree - that's why I had the qualification/disclaimer.
You do make a very valid point and used a very good analogy.
However, as with all things, that is a generality.
But there are two very important aspects to consider, please -
(1) Just because of ownership of professional equipment does not mean professional results -
that is definitely true for photography and I would think audio recordings as well.
As posters will attest most of the time position trumps equipment -
again with the caveat the equipment has to be adequate.
(2) The assumption point-and-shoots (and digital recorders internal mics) are inadequate and inevitably give inadequate results.This is simply not true -
in terms of photography -
Most digital cameras including p&s are quite capable of publishable results
- it's the user and subject that makes the main difference.
Would one consider an album cover of a published CD adequate?
CD published by the Music Maker Relief FoundationThis shot was taken with a point-and-shoot -
2Mp
Canon Digital ELPH S100Web-sized photo of the original with EXIF metadata - so one can see it's not from some other camera -
OK that's a charitable foundation - and perhaps they'd use anything to be "charitable"?
Then how about an
established weekly publication - Atlanta's Creative Loafing (link to photo)?
that shot was taken on a p&s -
Canon Powershot S80again the web-sized photo of the original with EXIF metadata - so one can see it's not from some other camera -
I do realize you don't think much of the recordings in the
thread I pointed to - so I can't argue with that -
- but again I will reference -
please try listening honestly to the recording cd2go posted of
Grace Potter & Nocturnals .
Getting back to point (1) about positioning - the advantage sometimes of these recorders with internal mics is that they can be positioned where full equipment cannot - especially at typical musical venues.
and we know position trumps equipment most of the time.....
again, please, I am not even daring to attempt to claim that these cheapo recorders can compare to true professional live location recordings -
but how many can truly claim that even with much more expensive gear?
Anyway - the point is one can be critical - but ought to be helpful too - with constructive criticism and ways to improve one's recordings - even with recorders and internal mics - that will give a good foundation for when one does invest in better equipment - point out specifically where the sonic shortcomings are, so a person can learn how to improve the recording with the gear they have and point out when better equipment has to be used to achieve the better results.
I am forever grateful to this forum for the very helpful and generous advice given in thread -
Tascam/Teac VR-10 Digital Recorder