Nagra LB

[andromedanwarmachine]

There is a "reduced-fat" version of the LB in the pipes.

I asked Nagra a few weeks ago and this is what I got;

Hello Jim

I can confirm that there will be a simplified version of the LB. It will have no editing facilities and no screen, jog wheel or buttons on the top panel.

I cannot tell you when it will be available or the projected price as Switzerland don't have this information at present.

I would guess and it is a guess it will the middle of 2011 before it will be available.

Best wishes
John Rudling
Nagra Kudelski (GB) Ltd.

My own technical inability prevents me from posting a picture, but if you do a Google images search for Nagra LB-S you get a shot immediately from "nagrit.com"

Hey John- that's great news that you are doing a write-up because, a) I have just subscribed to SOS and b) I have started a fund to save up for an LB!! When do you think it will be published??!

JimP

[su6oxone]

Thanks, that's the one I was thinking about!  Here's the pic from nagrit:

[andromedanwarmachine]

THAT is the one!

I did see a cost actually somewhere on a dealer site in Italy (Rome) which kind of flies in the face of what I was told by Nagra. (in that it seems they have it for sale already??)

But it was interesting to get a price comparison as there was a distinct difference between the costs.

I think most people here would prefer the S, as I don't do a lot of in the field editing myself. I think people want the preamps and the machine itself...

JimP

[John Willett]

Thanks, that's the one I was thinking about!  Here's the pic from nagrit:

Image does not display - try this:-

[Tonis]

There is a "reduced-fat" version of the LB in the pipes.

I asked Nagra a few weeks ago and this is what I got;

Hello Jim

I can confirm that there will be a simplified version of the LB. It will have no editing facilities and no screen, jog wheel or buttons on the top panel.

I cannot tell you when it will be available or the projected price as Switzerland don't have this information at present.

I would guess and it is a guess it will the middle of 2011 before it will be available.

Best wishes
John Rudling
Nagra Kudelski (GB) Ltd.

My own technical inability prevents me from posting a picture, but if you do a Google images search for Nagra LB-S you get a shot immediately from "nagrit.com"

Hey John- that's great news that you are doing a write-up because, a) I have just subscribed to SOS and b) I have started a fund to save up for an LB!! When do you think it will be published??!

JimP

Just today I got confirmation from NagraVision SA (Switzerland) that there will be no "simplified" version ever produced that leads me to the suspective new product in pipeline that could well be that simple stereo recorder with good preamps > this feels inevitable as they have all the know-how, resources and sales channels to provide a "Golden" $1000 Nagra Stereo Recorder > just a bit better than an ordinary $500 recorder but which has those "Nagra" sonic abilities.

T

T

[andromedanwarmachine]

Hey Tonis,

sorry- what are you saying- that the LB-S is not going into production, but you anticipate a cheaper version of a new machine...?

JimP

[Tonis]

Hey Tonis,

sorry- what are you saying- that the LB-S is not going into production, but you anticipate a cheaper version of a new machine...?

JimP

Yes, LB-S will not go into production unfortunately. But the "other" machine lives only in my imagination fueled by few rumors and based on my intuition . (I'm inventor and manufacturer, in the field of motion picture)
If my brand was as legendary and reputable as Nagra is I wouldn't wait for a second to produce a simple $500 class stereo recorder to be sold for $999 simply because it's "Nagra". As for only added $50 manufacturing wise you could build beatiful aluminum housings and control knobs...

T

[andromedanwarmachine]

Ha!

that's really interesting! I think that's quite a clever business strategy...

I think however that as a manufacturer, Nagra dance to their own tune and base products more on what they think is right than what they feel the market wants...

That's seems naive to say I know... but it's just my perception...

JimP

[Tonis]

... dance to their own tune ...

JimP

I'm completely with you on that. Maybe I'll proceed with producing this type things in the future.

T

[John Willett]

LB-S will not go into production unfortunately. But the "other" machine lives only in my imagination

This is actually good news for me.

Nagra are doing a stereo mic. pre. with the same quality mic. pres. as the Nagra VI (better than the LB) - this is to make the Nagra VI able to record 6 mics at a time.

I heard from someone at a recent exhibition is the USA that Nagra will also do a version of this with a built-in recorder.

So this would actually be a better-spec'd recorder than the LB-S.

When it comes I will get one. 

[andromedanwarmachine]

hmm...

sounds tempting- but how long will we have to wait!??

[Tonis]

...
So this would actually be a better-spec'd recorder than the LB-S.
...

So the original LB is not that good preamps wise? Just the build quality and features are better than found on most recorders?
I ask cause for two years I've been waiting for getting the LB and I have to decide in 24 hours on if we will proceed with the purchase.
My only experience with Nagra is the old mono 4.2 and in digital I've used Sony, SD and Edirol (R44) recorders. So presumably I'd expect that Nagra LB will be an improvement over these.
With the main concern that it would be a bit more warm or open (more Nagrish if I may say so)  than the SD 702 is for example.
My 4.2 sounds really great but it's getting old and is a bit cumbersome for field use when compared to modern machines.

T

[andromedanwarmachine]

"than the SD 702"

I think at this watershed price level- you are only looking at the SD 702 or the LB.

And both will blow out of the water the other machines you describe as having used. They're a different galaxy to these current machines.

Mr Willet will be able to answer this better as I have actually not heard either device. I think you are looking at industry standard serviceability & familiarity against absolute esosteric quality, but perhaps at the expense of being part of a big movement of people. (whatever that means!)

I think you'll find ten SD 702 users for every one LB user and who's to say who is right.

A quick Google search for SD 702 costs against LB results brings up half a dozen options against one outcome.

I know where I'll be going- as in life; it is always the road less travelled!

JimP

[Tonis]

"than the SD 702"
...They're a different galaxy to these current machines.

Mr Willet will be able to answer this better as I have actually not heard either device. I think you are looking at industry standard serviceability & familiarity against absolute esosteric quality, but perhaps at the expense of being part of a big movement of people. (whatever that means!)
...

I know where I'll be going- as in life; it is always the road less travelled!

JimP

I think that these days the amount of information available for any given product/brand will indirectly (and unfortunately) determine the majority purchase decisions.
My only concern is if the LB will be more similar to the old Nagra reel to reels and the like or will be more on the side of high end prosumer recorders > I don't have the opportunity to see and try the LB in real life.

T

[andromedanwarmachine]

If it's competing with the SD 702 and I think it is- it is wholly professional, rather than high end prosumer.

The SD stuff is the real thing, but I know that Wildlife ound Recordist Chris Watson uses a Nagra...

I'd have to defer to Mr Willet's experience...