Topic: Putting together an open rig

[indietaperwloo]

Hey everyone!
I'm giving some thought to putting together an open taping rig as I have an archival project that's going to give me around $1800 to play with upon completion and delivery.  I already have a stealth rig and a small open rig for acoustic shows, both of which are described in my signature.  So, with that in mind, I'm ready to get a more substantial rig.  I was thinking of this:

Basics:
Schoeps UMS-20 stereo bar
Beyerdynamic MC930 matched pair mics
Fostex FR-2LE (mod recommendations?)

Accessories:
8 gig CF card
Stand
Shock-mount clips
7.2v RC battery pack
Charger
Windscreens
XLR cables with Neutrik connectors
Carry Case

Any other recommendations are appreciated and more than welcome, especially if they are better than what I described and cheaper.

Steve

[dennisrtyler]

Hey everyone!
I'm giving some thought to putting together an open taping rig as I have an archival project that's going to give me around $1800 to play with upon completion and delivery.  I already have a stealth rig and a small open rig for acoustic shows, both of which are described in my signature.  So, with that in mind, I'm ready to get a more substantial rig.  I was thinking of this:

Basics:
Schoeps UMS-20 stereo bar
Beyerdynamic MC930 matched pair mics
Fostex FR-2LE (mod recommendations?)

Accessories:
8 gig CF card
Stand
Shock-mount clips
7.2v RC battery pack
Charger
Windscreens
XLR cables with Neutrik connectors
Carry Case

Any other recommendations are appreciated and more than welcome, especially if they are better than what I described and cheaper.

Steve

you are on the right track, minus one thing. that UMS20 is one of the most overpriced pieces of gear made. that $500 could be much better spent. try this instead http://posthorn.com/Macvk_4.html

edit to say: i used to own a UMS20 so i'm not a hater. just saying.

[rdflash]

Hey everyone!
I'm giving some thought to putting together an open taping rig as I have an archival project that's going to give me around $1800 to play with upon completion and delivery.  I already have a stealth rig and a small open rig for acoustic shows, both of which are described in my signature.  So, with that in mind, I'm ready to get a more substantial rig.  I was thinking of this:

Basics:
Schoeps UMS-20 stereo bar
Beyerdynamic MC930 matched pair mics
Fostex FR-2LE (mod recommendations?)

Accessories:
8 gig CF card
Stand
Shock-mount clips
7.2v RC battery pack
Charger
Windscreens
XLR cables with Neutrik connectors
Carry Case

Any other recommendations are appreciated and more than welcome, especially if they are better than what I described and cheaper.

Steve

you are on the right track, minus one thing. that UMS20 is one of the most overpriced pieces of gear made. that $500 could be much better spent. try this instead http://posthorn.com/Macvk_4.html

edit to say: i used to own a UMS20 so i'm not a hater. just saying.

That bar seriously costs $500 

wow...

[rowjimmytour]

I love my 930's and the akg swivel bar works perfect w/ spacer but Nick before he got rid of his had a vark bar which is super low pro looking.
Cheaper choices and will work great w/ 930's:
http://www.micsupply.com/standaccessories.htm




http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,97277.0.html

[indietaperwloo]

Wow! That was quick!  Anyone know of any good FR-2LE mods?  I know stock sounds good but I hear the mods make it sound pretty kick-ass.

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Busman for the FR2LE.

[rowjimmytour]

Busman for the FR2LE.

Oade here:
http://www.oade.com/digital_recorders/hard_disc_recorders/FR-2LE_upgrades.html

[Belexes]

Busman for the FR2LE.

Oade here:
http://www.oade.com/digital_recorders/hard_disc_recorders/FR-2LE_upgrades.html

Oade will only perform mods on the box if you buy it from them.  Busman has no restrictions.

Busman did the T-mod on mine. I love it.

[rowjimmytour]

Busman for the FR2LE.

Oade here:
http://www.oade.com/digital_recorders/hard_disc_recorders/FR-2LE_upgrades.html

Oade will only perform mods on the box if you buy it from them.  Busman has no restrictions.

Busman did the T-mod on mine. I love it.

Great point and thanks for bringing this up!! +t

[stevetoney]

I think I might be inclined to go with the R-44 over the FR2LE plus a mod.  It's maybe $100 or $200 more expensive, but similar size and two more channels, plus the R-44 just has more features.  Check out jon buffingtons recordings on archive of the 930s straight into the stock R-44...pretty big sound there!  I had an Oade FR2LE concert mod and I thought the sound was so-so...never got too excited about it.

[Unitmonster]

I think the T-Mod would marry well with the 930s.  Very clean and open sounding, which would avoid masking the heavier sound of the Beyers.

[rowjimmytour]

I think the T-Mod would marry well with the 930s.  Very clean and open sounding, which would avoid masking the heavier sound of the Beyers.

I like the sound!! I have the Oade t-mod on channel 3,4 of my R4.

[Krispy D]

I think I might be inclined to go with the R-44 over the FR2LE plus a mod.  It's maybe $100 or $200 more expensive, but similar size and two more channels, plus the R-44 just has more features.  Check out jon buffingtons recordings on archive of the 930s straight into the stock R-44...pretty big sound there!  I had an Oade FR2LE concert mod and I thought the sound was so-so...never got too excited about it.

agreed! I am seriously thinking about an R-44 for my four channel needs...

[digifish_music]

I think the T-Mod would marry well with the 930s.  Very clean and open sounding, which would avoid masking the heavier sound of the Beyers.

I like the sound!! I have the Oade t-mod on channel 3,4 of my R4.

Is it possible for you to record a constant noise source with the modded and unmodded channels and upload to the 'Recording gear' section?

digifish

[indietaperwloo]

I've just been thinking, there are other things I need to spend that upcoming project money on so my budget will probably be cut by $1500 so I can get a laptop.  I was thinking of just getting a pair of B3's and getting illconditioned to wire them into a hat for me and purchasing an R-09HR as my recorder.  I've been doing binaural for a long time and it works for me.  It's easier not to have to set up a stand and I can move freely if I find I'm not getting the right sound at the spot where my mics are.  Plus I'll be able to transport the hat and R-09HR easier than an FR-2LE, the 930s, cables and stands.  If I ever wanted to use the 930s with my R-09HR I know illconditioned has a way of wiring the 930s into an R-09 using a battery box so I can consult with him on that.
I will admit it has it's drawbacks like not being able to say anything or cheer (I can clap but not cheer) and I have to use my eyes to look at other musicians because if I turn my head, the stereo image will be affected.  Plus there's the obvious drawback of having to listen to my tapes on headphones to get an optimal listen from them but I figure I need a laptop more than awesome mics.  I figure I could probably end up spending around $400 on the B3's plus maybe another $400 on the R-09HR and I've already got an SD card so with that I'd probably be just as well off as using an open rig and I can use it for both open and not so open shows.  Sure I'd get a more directional sound using the 930s but I can always get those later.  Tell me what you think about this.

Steve

[rastasean]

If you're looking to save money for a laptop, consider chris churches CAFS mics which are similar (sorry, I don't know specs...check retail space) he sells these for about $200 which plug into a pre-amp. You certainly have gone from wanting an open rig to something pretty small.

Good luck!

[indietaperwloo]

Well, priorities change pretty quickly sometimes.

[jeromejello]

i would hold off on getting the r-09hr.  to me, it seems you are just marginally replacing gear you already have (the r-09).

use the money towards a field worthy pre and a stereo point mic... like the at825 (oops, you already have the at822) and a mp2.  that should give you most of what you are looking for.

[Dede2002]

The new R-09HR is a real sonic improvement IMHO.
I own both the R-09 and the new R-09HR.
Anyway, don't take my words for granted. Check both models and let your ears decide.
Above all things, have fun 

[Todd R]

If you think you could swing $800+, I'd skip the upgrade from the R-09 to the R-09HR.  Here's a thought:  get the Beyer MC930 set ($700 new), and look into getting a custom Naiant preamp:

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,107750.0.html

The Naiant pre can be configured to provide 18V phantom to the Beyers, which would work fine.  I think the custom pre would end up being $100-150.  Then you could just use a cheap t-bar, can pick up a basic one at Guitar Center for <$10.

[indietaperwloo]

Just FYI, the R-09 I was using was a rental from Long & McQuade (the Canadian Guitar Center) and I usually borrow one from illconditioned on occasion.  So in reality I'm looking for an upgrade from a Sony MZ-NH700 HiMD deck which I've found to be way too unreliable.

I'll be getting $3300 from this archival project I'm doing and I intend to spend around $1500 on a MacBook and after some other expenses that leaves me around $1000 to play with for gear.  If anyone could recommend either a stealth or open rig that would fall into the budget range of anywhere from $800 to $1200 max, that'd be great.  I'll still keep illconditioned's Sennheiser KE4-211-2 hat for stealth work but I'd love to have an open rig to work with.