Please see my sig for what I'm running now. I have a modest amount of money I'm willing to spend on upgrades, and would appreciate advice on where I'd get the most long-term benefit for my money. I record classical and jazz, almost 100% acoustic concerts. I was bitten by the upgrade bug a couple of weeks ago when I borrowed some AKG and Schoeps mics along with a Zoom H6 to do a concert for a friend.
Here's my short list of what I'm considering:
1. Recorder w/ phantom-powered XLR inputs. I currently have nothing portable for 48V mics, and would like to start using my Naiant omnis (or other mics) while still having a line in for my CA-14s. 4 channels a plus but not a necessity. Don't care much about the build-in mics as long as they're decent for quick rehearsals. What I'm wondering is if any recorder in my price range is going to perform any better than my M10. If not, I'll stick with it.
Options that look good:
- Tascam DR-100mkII
- Roland R-26 (over my budget new, but maybe can find it less used)
- Zoom H5 (they seem to have addressed the knob movement issue of the H6)
2. If I keep my M10, then I'm considering a Naiant tinybox set up for both PIP and 48V inputs. This would allow me to run the mics I own now plus anything I would theoretically buy or borrow down the road, and the quality of the preamps is going to be better than the build-ins on a portable recorder. Although running my battery box into the M10s MIC input continues to amaze me just how low I can go with recording levels.
3. A new set of mics, although without upgrade 1 and/or 2 I can't power 48V like I said. Busman BSC1 or Avantone CK-1 look attractive (in budget used), as does Line Audio CM3.
4. Something else I haven't thought of, or just stick with what I've got?
Thanks for the advice!