Newbies ask this question all the time. And it's a good question! But there are ohhhhh so many different answers. There are several steps to finding the right gear:
[A.] Determine whether open or stealth gear is required
[B.] Define the budget for primary gear
[C.] Review the available gear options available for [A-B]
[D.] Listen to the gear options
[E.] Sort out miscellaneous gear
[F.] Ask our resident experts
[G.] Make the decision and pull the trigger!
So, off we go on our journey...
[A.] Determine whether open or stealth gear is required
First off, you must decide:
- Will you tape openly, gear layed out for all to see, primarily recording those bands who expressly allow audio recording at their concerts and possibly sharing of those recordings with friends and fellow fans?
- Or are you primarily focused on stealth / low profile recording of bands who do not allow open recording?
Please note: No tapers (of which I'm aware) support bootlegging - the sale of live recordings for profit. If you want to bootleg, we probably can't keep you out, but you're certainly not welcome here and in the eyes of most are the scum of the Earth. Enough said.
[B.] Define the budget for primary gear
Pretty easy - how much are you willing to spend? Like any tech-related hobby, you can spend as much as you want, and more! Not much more to say, here. :)
[C.] Review the available gear options available that fit [A-B]
People usually have an easy time defining their budget. For the sake of this discussion, let's assume we are only taking into account the primary recording components:
[1] Mics
[2] Mic Power
[3] Gain
[4] Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADC)
[5] Storage Devices
If you're not familiar with this terminology - check out Getting Started (http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=35278.0). We'll ignore, for the moment, the miscellaneous gear requirements like stands, shockmounts, cables, etc. (don't worry, we'll get to 'em in [E.] below).
As we go through the commonly used gear and prices, keep in mind when reviewing gear options that some devices provide one or more of the functions above. For the sake of discussion, we'll lump [1-2] together, [2-3-4] together, and [3-4-5] together. Confused yet? Don't be, it really isn't that difficult - just make sure in selecting your gear options that you have all areas covered [1-5] and don't worry if there's some duplicate functionality in the gear options you select - most devices allow the bypassing of some functions. For example, most storage devices [5] can provide [2-3-4-5], but allow bypassing of [2-3-4] and using the device strictly as [5]. Alright, here we go...
Note: The following gear listings are hopelessly out of date and I don't foresee updating them any time soon, if ever. I'll leave the list up, for now, for illustrative purposes.
____________________________
| KEY |
|----------------------------|
| + _ballpark_ price only |
| * ~80% of new price |
| (S) considered stealthable |
|____________________________|
[1-2 ] Mics / Mic Power (priced per pair)
==============================================================================================================
New ($)+ | Used ($)* | Capability | Make/Model/Description | Comments
==============================================================================================================
300 | 240 | [1-2 ] | AKG (http://www.akg.com) C1000S | internal battery or phantom power
1,250 | 1,000 | [1-2 ] | AKG (http://www.akg.com) C414BULS | multiple polar patterns
700 | 560 | [1 ] | AKG (http://www.akg.com) SE300B-CKx (aka 39x) | x = different polar pattern caps
n/a | ?? | [1 ] | AKG (http://www.akg.com) C460-CKx (aka 46x) | x = different polar pattern caps
1,200 | 960 | [1 ] | AKG (http://www.akg.com) C480-CKx (aka 48x) | x = different polar pattern caps
700 | 560 | [1 ] | ADK (http://www.adkmic.com) A51TL | multiple polar patterns
400 | 320 | [1 ] | ADK (http://www.adkmic.com) SC-1 |
300 | 240 | [1 ] | Audio Technica (http://www.audiotechnica.com) AT853a | (S) battery or phantom
300 | 240 | [1 ] | Audio Technica (http://www.audiotechnica.com) AT853Rx | (S) phantom only, x = diff caps
300 | 240 | [1 ] | Audio Technica (http://www.audiotechnica.com) AT899 | (S) omni only
300 | 240 | [1 ] | Audio Technica (http://www.audiotechnica.com) ES933/x | (S) different pattern caps
600 | 480 | [1 ] | Audio Technica (http://www.audiotechnica.com) 40xx | xx = diff patterns
600 | 480 | [1 ] | Audix (http://www.audixusa.com) Micros 1245x | (S) x = diff patterns
700 | 560 | [1 ] | Audix (http://www.audixusa.com) Micros 1290x | (S)
1,000 | 800 | [1 ] | Audix (http://www.audixusa.com) Micros SCX1x | (S) x = diff pattern caps
75 | 60 | [1 ] | Core Sound (http://www.core-sound.com) Low Cost Binaurals | (S) misnomer, these are omnis
75 | 60 | [1 ] | Core Sound (http://www.core-sound.com) Low Cost Cardioids | (S) uses same batt box as CSBs
170 | 136 | [1 ] | Core Sound (http://www.core-sound.com) Binaurals (CSB) | (S) misnomer, these are omnis
890 | 712 | [1 ] | Core Sound (http://www.core-sound.com) High End Binaurals | (S) misnomer, these are omnis
200 | 160 | [1 ] | Core Sound (http://www.core-sound.com) Stealthy Cardioids | (S) uses same batt box as CSBs
2,800 | 2,240 | [1 ] | DPA (http://www.dpamicrophones.com) 40xx (compact series) | (S) x = different polar patterns
750 | 600 | [1 ] | DPA (http://www.dpamicrophones.com) 406x (mini series) | (S) omni only, x=diff sensitivities
n/a | ?? | [1 ] | Earthworks (http://www.earthworksaudio.com) SR-71 | Discontinued
1,100 | 850 | [1 ] | Earthworks (http://www.earthworksaudio.com) SR-77 |
50 | 44 | [1 ] | Giant Squid (http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/) Omnis | (S)
50 | 44 | [1 ] | Giant Squid (http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/) Cardioids | (S)
800 | 640 | [1 ] | MBHO (http://www.mbho.de/) 440 |
1,200 | 960 | [1 ] | MBHO (http://www.mbho.de/) 603-KAx | x = different polar pattern caps
1,500 | 1,200 | [1 ] | MBHO (http://www.mbho.de/) 603A-KAx | (S) x = different polar pattern caps
1,200 | 960 | [1 ] | Microtech Gefell (http://www.microtechgefell.de) M300 | x = different polar pattern caps
2,000?| 1,600?| [1 ] | Microtech Gefell (http://www.microtechgefell.de) SMS2000-Mx | x = different polar pattern caps
n/a | ?? | [1-2 ] | Nakamichi (http://www.nakamichi.com) CM100-CPx | x = different polar pattern caps
n/a | ?? | [1-2 ] | Nakamichi (http://www.nakamichi.com) CM300-CPx | x = different polar pattern caps
2,000 | 1,600 | [1 ] | Neumann (http://www.neumann.com) KM100-AKx (aka KM1x) | (S, w/actives) x = diff pattern caps
1,200 | 960 | [1 ] | Neumann (http://www.neumann.com) KM18x | x = different polar patterns
4,000 | 3,200 | [1 ] | Neumann (http://www.neumann.com) TLM170 | multiple polar patterns
4,500 | 3,600 | [1 ] | Neumann (http://www.neumann.com) U89 | multiple polar patterns
200/400 | 160/320 | [1 ] | Oktava (http://www.oktava.com) MC012x (aka MK012x) | x = diff pattern caps
140 | 112 | [1 ] | Sound Pros (http://www.soundprofessionals.com) SP-AT831 | (S)
60-300 | 48-240 | [1 ] | Sound Pros (http://www.soundprofessionals.com) SP-BMC-x | (S) x = diff make caps (omni)
100-330 | 80-264 | [1 ] | Sound Pros (http://www.soundprofessionals.com) SP-CMC-x | (S) x = diff make/pattern caps
2,200 | 1,760 | [1 ] | Schoeps (http://www.schoeps.de) CMC6+MKx | (S, w/actives) x = diff pattern caps
500 | 400 | [1 ] | Studio Projects (http://www.studioprojects.com) C4 |
250 | 200 | [1 ] | Superlux (http://www.superlux.us) CM-H8K/x | x = different polar pattern caps
[ 2-3-4 ] Mic Power, Gain, ADC
==============================================================================================================
New ($)+ | Used ($)* | Capability | Make/Model/Description | Comments
==============================================================================================================
n/a | 300 | [ 2-3-4 ] | Apogee (http://www.apogeedigital.com) AD500(e) | continuously Variable gain, old
n/a | 600 | [ 2-3-4 ] | Apogee (http://www.apogeedigital.com) AD1000 | continuously variable gain, old
1,100 | 880 | [ 2-3-4 ] | Apogee (http://www.apogeedigital.com) MiniMe | continuously variable gain
15 | n/a | [ 3 ] | Audio Technica (http://www.audiotechnica.com) CP8201 | (S) fixed gain, pair required
60 | 48 | [ 2 ] | Core Sound (http://www.core-sound.com) (C-S) Battery Box | (S) for all but HEBs
90 | 72 | [ 2 ] | C-S (http://www.core-sound.com) Batt Box w/bass roll-off | (S) for all but HEBs
30 | 24 | [ 2 ] | Core Sound (http://www.core-sound.com) Low Cost Adapter | (S) REQUIRED for LOW COST Bin/Cards
60 | 48 | [ 2 ] | Core Sound (http://www.core-sound.com) HEB Batt Box | (S) for Core Sound (http://www.core-sound.com) HEBs (same as above?)
90 | 72 | [ 2 ] | C-S (http://www.core-sound.com) HEB Batt Box w/bass roll | (S) for Core Sound (http://www.core-sound.com) HEBs (same as above?)
500 | | [ 2-3-4 ] | Core Sound (http://www.core-sound.com) Mic2496 | (S) 24-bit, +$35-50 for breakout cables
135 | 100 | [ 2 ] | Denecke (http://www.denecke.com) PS-2 | (S)
300 | 225 | [ 3-4 ] | Denecke (http://www.denecke.com) AD-20 | (S) min +17dB gain, cont variable > 17dB
300-550 | 250-450 | [ 2-3-4 ] | Edirol (http://www.edirol.com) UA5 (digi/w/p/t-mod) | continuously variable gain (read the FAQ)
40 | 48 | [ 2 ] | Giant Squid (http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/) Battery Box | (S) for omnis/cards
n/a | 650 | [ 2-3 ] | Grace Design (http://www.gracedesign.com) Lunatec V2 | continuously variable gain
1,300 | 1,100 | [ 2-3-4 ] | Grace Design (http://www.gracedesign.com) Lunatec V3 | continuously variable gain
n/a | 150 | [ 4 ] | Graham Patten (http://www.gpsys.com) ADC-20 | stepped variable gain
?? | ?? | [ 4 ] | Graham Patten (http://www.gpsys.com) ADC-24 | stepped variable gain
n/a | 400 | [ 2-3-4 ] | Graham Patten (http://www.gpsys.com) DMIC-20 | stepped variable gain
?? | ?? | [ 2-3-4 ] | Graham Patten (http://www.gpsys.com) DMIC-24 | stepped variable gain
20 | n/a | [ 3 ] | Hosa (http://www.hosatech.com) MIT-176 | (S) fixed gain, pair required
650 | 520 | [ 2-3 ] | Shure (http://www.shure.com) FP24 | (S) re-branded Sound Devices (http://www.sounddevices.com) MixPre
900 | 720 | [ 2-3 ] | Sonosax (http://www.sonosax.com) SX-M2 | (S)
1,100 | 720 | [ 2-3 ] | Sonosax (http://www.sonosax.com) SX-M2/LS2 | (S) factory-custom for KCY/lemo + caps
n/a | 350 | [ 3-4 ] | Sony (http://www.sony.com) SBM-1 | (S)
n/a | 550 | [ 4 ] | Sony (http://www.sony.com) Oade-modSBM-1 | (S)
n/a | 400 | [ 2-3 ] | Sound Devices (http://www.sounddevices.com) MP-2 | (S) continuously variable gain
650 | 450 | [ 2-3 ] | Sound Devices (http://www.sounddevices.com) MixPre | (S) continuously variable gain
60 | 48 | [ 2-3 ] | Sound Pros (http://www.soundprofessionals.com) (SP) SP-SPSB-1 | (S) battery power only (no phantom/gain)
80 | 64 | [ 2-3 ] | SP (http://www.soundprofessionals.com) SP-SPSB-1 + bass rolloff | (S) battery power only (no phantom power)
80 | 64 | [ 2-3 ] | SP (http://www.soundprofessionals.com) SP-SPSB-1 + gain | (S) battery power only (no phantom power)
100 | 80 | [ 2-3 ] | SP (http://www.soundprofessionals.com) SP-SPSB-1 + gain/bass roll | (S) battery power only (no phantom power)
100 | 80 | [ 2 ] | Stewart (http://www.stewartaudio.com) BPS-1 | (S) Pair required
[/size]
[ 3-4-5] Storage Devices
For the sake of this posting, we will not consider plug-in power provided by the recorder because it simply won't work with the mics noted above. Having trouble deciding what recording device you should select? Check out a thread on pros/cons of the most popular recording gear options (http://www.taperssection.com/index.php?topic=29057.0).
==============================================================================================================
New ($)+ | Used ($)* | Capability | Make/Model/Description | Comments
==============================================================================================================
16,000 | ?? | [ 2-3-4-5] | Aaton (http://www.aaton.com) Cantar X | $$$: Ouch. Bet it sounds great, though!
200 | | [ 5] | Core Sound (http://www.core-sound.com) PDAudio-CF | (S) +$200-750 for PDA, software, etc.
n/a | 150 | [ 3-4-5] | Creative Labs (http://www.creativelabs.com) Nomad JB3 | (S) HD recorder, discontinued (read FAQ)
?? | ?? | [ 3-4-5] | Denon (http://www.denon.com) DN-F20R | Compact Flash recorder
400 | ?? | [ 3-4-5] | Edirol (http://www.edirol.com) R1 | (S) HD recorder
1,500 | ?? | [ 3-4-5] | Edirol (http://www.edirol.com) R4 | Hard drive recorder
1,300 | ?? | [ 3-4-5] | Fostex (http://www.fostex.com) FR-2 | Hard drive recorder
n/a | ?? | [ 2-3-4-5] | HHB (http://www.hhb.co.uk) PortaDAT | Discontinued
14,000 | ?? | [ 2-3-4-5] | HHB (http://www.hhb.co.uk) PortaDrive | $$$: Ouch. Bet it sounds great, though!
500 | ?? | [ 3-4-5] | Marantz (http://www.marantz.com) PMD-660 | Compact Flash recorder
700 | ?? | [ 3-4-5] | Marantz (http://www.marantz.com) PMD-670 | Compact Flash recorder
8,000 | ?? | [ 2-3-4-5] | Nagra (http://www.nagraaudio.com) Audio Nagra (http://www.nagraaudio.com) V | $$$: Ouch. Bet it sounds great, though!
250-450 | ?? | [ 3-4-5] | Neuros (http://www.neurosaudio.com) HDxxGB Recorder | (S) HD recorder, xx = hard drive capacity
n/a | 150 | [ 3-4-5] | Sony (http://www.sony.com) D7 | (S) Old DAT recorder, discontinued
n/a | 250 | [ 3-4-5] | Sony (http://www.sony.com) D8 | (S) Less old DAT recorder, discontinued
650 | 450 | [ 3-4-5] | Sony (http://www.sony.com) D100 | (S) DAT recorder
700 | 450 | [ 3-4-5] | Sony (http://www.sony.com) M1 | (S) DAT recorder
2,500 | ?? | [ 2-3-4-5] | Sound Devices (http://www.sounddevices.com) 722 | Hard drive recorder
4,500 | ?? | [ 2-3-4-5] | Sound Devices (http://www.sounddevices.com) 744 | Hard drive recorder
1,200 | 960 | [ 2-3-4-5] | Tascam (http://www.tascam.com) DA-P1 | DAT recorder, available new
80-250 | 64-200 | [ 3-4-5] | Mini-Disc, traditional | (S) ATRAC only
200-400 | 160-320 | [ 3-4-5] | Mini-Disc, Hi-MD | (S) ATRAC or uncompressed WAV
?? | ?? | [ 3-4-5] | Various laptop | Too many options to list!
n/a | ?? | [ 2-3-4-5] | Zaxcom (http://www.zaxcom.com) DEVA II | Discontinued
10,000 | ?? | [ 2-3-4-5] | Zaxcom (http://www.zaxcom.com) DEVA IV | $$$: Ouch. Bet it sounds great, though!
[/size]
[D.] Listen to the gear options
Lots of options for listening to the gear you're considering:
- Download recordings from the Live Music Archive (http://www.archive.org/audio/collection.php?collection=etree)
- Leech recordings from BitTorrent sites
- ETree (http://bt.etree.org)
- EasyTree (http://www.easytree.org)
- Trader's Den (http://www.thetradersden.org/)
- EveryDayJones (http://everydayjones.com/BitTorrent/index.php?)
- Ask fellow tapers from TS for sample recordings
There is no "right" answer, no "best" set of recording gear! The key here is finding out what recording gear - obviously, that fits your budget and purposes - sounds best to your ears, on your playback system.
[E.] Sort out miscellaneous gear
Now, to the miscellaneous gear. Some of this miscellaneous gear isn't exactly unimportant. For open taping, you'll need a mic stand and mic clips. You may want shockmounts. You'll need mic cables. And cables to run between your pre and/or ADC and/or recorder. And between your recorder and PC. And...well, you get the idea. For the time being, this section is what it is. common miscellaneous gear tapers use:
- external / remote power (some gear runs on internal batteries, other gear requires external power)
- mic stand
- mic stereo bar / mount bar
- mic clips
- shockmounts
- mic cables
- interconnects (between pre and/or ADC and/or recorder)
- clamps
- windscreens
- umbrellas (for outdoors, obviously)
- duct / gaffers tape
- various cable adapters
- headphones
- gear bag(s)
Pretty sizable list, eh? But not all of it is required. So, which of this stuff should you get? And once you decide which categories of miscellaneous stuff, what specific makes/models should you get?
Before posting away and asking about all this miscellaneous gear, do some research here at TS on your own. Check out the Start Here! (http://www.taperssection.com/index.php?topic=33610.msg426912#msg426912) thread, and read the FAQ | Taping related section.
[F.] Ask our resident experts
Done all your research and still need help? Just ask our experts - the broad community of tapers here at TS. Simply post your query in the appropriate forum and provide as much detail as possible, and odds are TS members will start replying swiftly.
[G.] Make the decision and pull the trigger!
Well, now...go buy your gear and tape!
Our very own Yard Sale (http://www.taperssection.com/index.php?board=7.0) is a great place to pick up used gear.
Buying new or prefer used gear from a vendor? Check the Retail Space (http://taperssection.com/index.php/board,22.0.html) forum.