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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: Massive Dynamic on February 09, 2010, 08:53:00 PM
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I'm mostly happy with my Fostex FR-2le except for its size - it's just a tad too large to discreetly bring into a venue during weather where a jacket is out of place.
I'm looking for options for a smaller recorder or a pre+recorder combo that can power either set of mics I own: a set of lo-pro XLR/p48 mics and an LSD2. The option of external powering would be a big plus since I'd also be using this at an annual week-long festival.
For me, the price needs to be less than $750, but more expensive options (e.g., SD units, Sonosax, Nbox) might be helpful to list for others reading this thread.
So far, the Tascam DR-100 and Marantz PMD 661 seem to be the smallest all-in-ones I've found (1.4" deep). The Naiant littlebox + flash recorder (DR-2D, DR-07, DR-08, R09HR, M10, etc.) might work, but the littlebox is slightly thicker (1.7"), and 2 boxes aren't necessarily better. Is there anything else out there I've overlooked?
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Presumably you've already read this recent thread:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=131798.0
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661 is great for stealthing. It's small enough that it's easy to bring into venues even with patdowns, and also easy to operate (especially start recording, put into hold, adjust recording levels, monitor level LEDs) in low profile situations. More convenient than when I used to use a Denecke PS-2 and a R-09HR.
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The Zoom H4n seems to meet all your requirements. I've never used one so I neither recommending it nor condemning it, but it's small, light, has XLR/P48, can be externally powered, and can be bought for less than $300.
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I would absolutely recommend the PMD-661. Compact, great sound, easy to operate, will power most P48V mics for 5+ hours on 4 lithium "ultra" AAs but can also be powered externally.
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Thanks for the responses. I'm leaning toward the 661, but wanted to hear all my options. Anyone want a mint fr2-le? :)
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How much you're asking?