Topic: First rig suggestions - 90 year-old noob taper 😀

[Gutbucket]

^Something like the Tascam X6 is what I was thinking.  How good are the internal mics and noise level?
If he's comfortable with running it and wishes to go further, he can always additionally add your Vanguards or Line Audios.

[commongrounder]

I own the X8, which I know use the 14mm Primo EM200 series cardioid capsules. The X6 has smaller 10mm capsules, but assuming they are Primos they will still have quite good noise performance. The preamps for both the XLR and 3.5mm inputs on my X8 are excellent, and I have no reason to think the same circuits aren’t used in the X6. The X6 sound samples I’ve heard on-line are, to my ears, far superior to the Zoom H series recorders, from both a noise and general quality perspective. The X6 will have a lot of features our OP’s dad won’t have the need to use, but these machines are great for holding the previous settings through a power cycle, so it should always be ready to go once initially set up.

[robeti]

This is so cute! Hope your dad will record many shows for years to come!

[voltronic]

Thanks, Volt.

I've been gravitating towards the F3 on my own, and appreciate your perspective on noise floor.

I have a set of Vanguard V1 mics, haven't used them in 2 years, could 'store' them at my Dad's and stay under his $500 limit that way.

Issue is I'm worried that this becomes a rig that's too fiddly for him. As Gutbucket mentioned in his post, complexity is an issue with someone 90 years old...

But it would likely sound much better. If I were ok not having much room sound, I could put the omni caps on, have him close-mic, and set the balance in post. That'd eliminate a lot of the need for great placement.

Hmmm

The F3 is about the least fiddly thing you could use. Plug in external power bank (if recording a long time), plug in mics, turn on, press REC.