Topic: Getting my firs 550 $ rig - (Updated: Edirol R09HR arrived)

[roxia]

Hello everybody

I'm very new to this. I'm about to get my first rig that I can use to stealth-record concerts. Mainly rock/metal, but also funk and hiphop.

Recorder:
I've been looking on Zoom H4 (H4n) and Edirols R-09.
I think I will go with an Edirol R-09HR this time. Looks pretty good.

Preamp:
I'm not sure if I'm going to choose ST-9000 or ST-9100 - which one should suit me the best you think?

Mics:
I think I will go with Church Audio CA-14 here with cardios caps.
I don't think I will be needing the omni caps since I don't want to pick up the audience chatter on the recording.
I will be facing the stage (of course) and I believe the cardios caps will do just fine pick up the show. Am I wrong?


Do you guys think this will work out good?
I don't want to give more then 550 $ on this rig.

Is there any thing that I should be aware of? Is the rig above not that good? Should I change something?

What is import to remember to point out to Chris Church when I order the preamp and the microphones other than I want 3.5 mm jack instead of XLR jack.


All help would be extremely helpfull!
Remember, I'm new at this!

Thanks in advance.

[su6oxone]

CA-14 > 9100 > R-09HR is a solid stealth rig.  I would get the 9100 over the 9000 because I think the 9000 doesn't have variable gain like the 9100.  People have different opinions about the omni vs cards question, but for an all around cap, I would recommend cards.

[roxia]

su6oxone - Thank you very much.

Anyone else have any comments ?

[jlykos]

CA-14 > 9100 > R-09HR is a solid stealth rig.  I would get the 9100 over the 9000 because I think the 9000 doesn't have variable gain like the 9100.  People have different opinions about the omni vs cards question, but for an all around cap, I would recommend cards.

Agreed.  This will be a more than solid rig for stealth recordings.  Good luck with everything!

[roxia]

What is import to remember to point out to Chris Church when I order the preamp and the microphones other than I want 3.5 mm jack instead of XLR jack?

[printguy]

What is import to remember to point out to Chris Church when I order the preamp and the microphones other than I want 3.5 mm jack instead of XLR jack?

I'd go for CA-11 > 9100 > R-09HR.

The CA-11 are much better for stealth in my opinion vs the CA-14s. The CA-14s are much larger. This image was posted in another thread:



And with the CA-11s you get interchangeable caps - omnis and cards.

The Church mics come with 3.5mm standard (AFAIK) and the 9100 is 3.5mm standard (again AFAIK).

I've got CA-11s and CA-14s and the 9100 to run into my Tascam DR-1. A great open or stealth rig for the money.

[Belexes]

CA-14 > 9100 > R-09HR is a solid stealth rig.

Agreed.  I have this exact setup.

The CA-14's can be stealthed.  Smaller is always easier but I'll take the extra challenge if it improves my recordings. 

Too many folks on this board that are timid based on size. Go big or go home. (same comments could apply in "the sewer")

[roxia]

Is there a big difference between CA-14 and CA-11 quality/soundwise ?

Won't the CA-14 be a bit smaller without the windscreen?

[jbell]

CA 14 wind screen can't be removed! 

[printguy]

Is there a big difference between CA-14 and CA-11 quality/soundwise ?

Won't the CA-14 be a bit smaller without the windscreen?

As jmbell said the windscreens on the CA-14 is permanently attached. And the omniscient and cards for the 14s are two separate mics and cables. The 11s have interchangeable caps, and removeable windscreens.

I find the sound from the 14s to be a bit fuller than the 11s - but it's not a huge difference. How do you plan on wearing your mics? I've clipped the 11s to the brim of my hat and my collar with grat results - these were at open tapng events but I chose to run lowpro.

[roxia]

Since I will be stealthing, I will probably clips the mics on the top of my shirt.. maybe clips them to my necles.

I would be risking too much by putting the mics on a hat or something.

[printguy]

Since I will be stealthing, I will probably clips the mics on the top of my shirt.. maybe clips them to my necles.

I would be risking too much by putting the mics on a hat or something.

It's really up to you - I say get the CA-11s. Others have suggested the CA-14s as the added "risk" is worth the resulting better sound. But clipped to your collar or necklace I believe the difference will be no existent.

Here's a show I recorded last weekend with CA-11s clipped to my collar: http://www.archive.org/details/HowieDay2009-10-10.CA11.flac16
(I'm upping a new version so you might get an error on this link for the next little while.)

And here's one I ran with the CA-11s on a stand: http://www.archive.org/details/erichutchinson2009-03-19.hipfans.aud.flac

And lastly here's the CA-14s: http://www.archive.org/details/Mnathanson2009-08-11-TorontoOn

Not perfect for comparing as there are a lot of variables but it'll get you headed in the right direction.

[roxia]

Thank you very much printerguy

Do you use omni or cards on those recordings?

[printguy]

Thank you very much printerguy

Do you use omni or cards on those recordings?

Howie Day: CA-11 Omnis
Eric Hutchinson: CA-11 Cardioids
Matt Nathanson: CA-14 Cardioids

[sunjan]

CA-14 > 9100 > R-09HR is a solid stealth rig.  I would get the 9100 over the 9000 because I think the 9000 doesn't have variable gain like the 9100.

Slight correction, the 9000 has steppable gain IIRC: +10, +20, +30.
That said, CA-14 > 9100 > R-09HR is an ideal stealth rig.
And don't sweat it about being able to stealth the CA-14s. Most of us here carry much bigger loads thru security every time.