Topic: first rig

[AmazingPudding]

After 20+ years of trading ROIO's and other peoples recordings, I have decided it is time to become a taper. I have a budget of about $1500-$2000 for the rig. I have read here that a good suggestion for newbies is the Sony PCM-M10. I have also looked at Edirol R09-HR as well as the Tascam DR-2d and the DR100. I like all of these options but I need to know is it wise to buy a recorder that has xlr output(DR100) or just get a preamp for phantom power?
As for the microphones, I listened to many of everyone else's recordings that I have on my HD. I really like the sound of AKG, neumann and Schoeps. i have found some good prices on AKG C214 and Neumann Sk148. iwould just like feedback on these or some other suggestions. Is there an advantage to a large diaphragm over a small?
Any suggestions or comments would be helpful.

Thanks, Blake

[jlykos]

Search the forums; this has been covered to death.  With that kind of budget, you can afford a high quality rig and everybody will have their opinions about what you should get.

A question to ask yourself is what microphones sound best to your ears, not just what you can get a good deal on.  Try to focus on particular models.  Not too many tapers use AKG C214 or Neumann SK148 mics for live recording.  Build your rig from there.  Schoeps is probably outside of your price range, but you can afford used AKGs or Neumanns.

Also, I would buy used as much as you can.  You will have a greater resale value as a percentage of what you bought the item for, which is helpful if you want to swap gear in or out of your signal chain.

Finally, budget around $200 for a stand, cables, and various accessories.

But since you asked, I would buy the following items with that budget:

Microtech Gefell M300 (~$800 - $1000 used) >
Naiant Littlebox (~$300 new) >
Sony PCM-M10 (~$250 used)
Cables, stand, accessories: $200

That's everything for $1750 on the high end.

[mattmiller]

With the popularity of the M10, there aren't too many used ones floating around for sale yet.  However, you can get it for $200 NEW at Amazon and other places.

[fmaderjr]

I have read here that a good suggestion for newbies is the Sony PCM-M10. I have also looked at Edirol R09-HR as well as the Tascam DR-2d and the DR100. I like all of these options but I need to know is it wise to buy a recorder that has xlr output(DR100) or just get a preamp for phantom power?

IMO jlyko's suggestion to get an M10 as the recorder and a littlebox as a preamp would be MUCH better than just getting a DR100 and no preamp. The littlebox is a great pre plus if you ever decide to do any stealth recording you can get some small mics and use the M10 without the littlebox. A littlebox + M10 is a very versatile rig and sounds great.

The littlebox comes with many options-Jon at Naiant could help you decide how you want it configured.

[AmazingPudding]

That is great advice. You have helped me make the first decision. Now on to the mics.....................

[gkatz]

If I were getting new microphones, I would look for something with multi-cap capability. Maybe a set of Peluso cemc-6's?

http://www.pelusomicrophonelab.com/CEMC6.html

[rastasean]

Here's a used set of mics:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=140946.0

[su6oxone]

After 20+ years of trading ROIO's and other peoples recordings, I have decided it is time to become a taper.

Awesome, welcome to the club!

With a $1500-2000 budget, I would recommend getting a nice all-in-one recorder like the Marantz PMD661, which you can get stock (un-modded by the Oade brothers) for around $570 or better, or the Edirol R-44 which runs around $700-1000 depending if it's Oade modded or not.

For mics, I would suggest something like the AKG c460b series or MBHO 603a, both with interchangeable caps but the MBHO with ability to use 'actives' (well, not technically active cables but remote cables rather).  The advantage of the MBHOs is that you can run the caps separately from the bodies, which makes for a more compact and convenient setup.  If you don't mind just trying one type of capsule, the Neumann KM184 are nice mics as well.  Any of these mics should run from $800 to $1500 or so, depending on how many caps you get.

Lastly, you'll need a good $200-400 for cables, gear bag, stand, clamps, etc.

Good luck!

[drewski1986]

Mics, cables, and a mounting bar... http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=140479.0

[acidjack]

Depends on if you are open taping exclusively or not, but I would prefer, as a new user, to go with something simpler like an all-in-one as su6xone suggests.  I'd avoid the Tascam due to bad battery life, but the PMD661 should do the trick and can have the pre's upgraded.  The 661 is also small enough that you can do more discrete taping as well.

Don't get me wrong, the littlebox>M10 is good, and that's my main "stereo" rig I use, but I just find it easier to do something that's all-in-one, which is why I often run my Oade R-44 even when just doing stereo.

Assuming you spend approx $500 on recorder/pre, that leaves you $1500 for everything else.  The Neumann SKM184 set is certainly very nice, albeit a little more than that.  I don't see much of anyone with anything wrong to say about the AKG 460/480 or the Microtech Gefell M300.  Getting either of those used will leave you some cash left over for stand, cables, mounts, and assorted other stuff you need.  I don't know much about the Pelusos but they are US made, offer lots of different caps, and are loved by the folks who have them (of course, almost every mic is loved by the people that have it; if they didn't, they'd sell it).

I would suggest probably going with SDC vs. LD mics as a new user mostly for size and convenience, though that is not a knock on the ability to make excellent recordings with LD mics.

[OOK]

Good Starter rig would be..

1. Busman Small condensers
2. Little box extended depth for the 4AA bat. sled.
3. Sony PCM10 recorder...
That should put you about 1000$

money left for...
Rechargeable batteries, low discharge type....16aa + mah charge 100$
15' mic cables..50$
2 rca's to stereo mini cable 15$
AKG T-bar.....25$
Monfrotto 1004bac mic Stand...... 100$
Bag to put all the gear in, choices are wide open here.... 75$

That puts you about 1365$ give of take.....then the money you save buy tickets.....
peace OOk

[AmazingPudding]

Wow. This is all great advice. I will look in the marketplace and take it from there. OtheroneK..I really like your suggestion. Thank You

[OOK]

Wow. This is all great advice. I will look in the marketplace and take it from there. OtheroneK..I really like your suggestion. Thank You

No problem......

[cashandkerouac]

hello:  i am a "newbie" to this forum, but i have been taping with average equipment for ther past couple of years and am in a similar situation to AmazingPudding.  i'm in the market for a new (and much better quality rig).  rather than start a new thread i'm hoping to piggy-back on this one since my need for info and general budget is the same. 

there has been some excellent info and advice so far... but to be honest the menu of options is a bit overwhelming.  i thought my big dilemma would be selection of mics, but i'm leaning heavily toward the Church Audio CA-14 cardioid mics for a good balance of quality and stealth. 

it's the selection of the digital recorder where i am most uncertain.  the Eridol R-09HR is a front-runner, but the Sony PCM-M10 and the Marantz PMD661 also seem to be highly recommended.  any additional feedback on the pros and cons of these three digital recording devices would be appreciated.

     

[su6oxone]

What r u using now and whats ur budget?  CA14 > CA9100 > M10 is a solid rig.