Topic: /

[giveaway]

/

[ScoobieKW]

Keep the busmans. I love mine.

The Tascam DR70D with 1.13 or 1.14 firmware is solid and easy to power with USB battery packs. 4 channels with XLR/1/4" TRS combo jacks.

I run this rig for onstage + board often and when I record two channel, I record a safety track at lower gain settings (dual record) in case channels 1 and 2 clip.

[daspyknows]

Are you planning to tape open?  stealth?  both?  With stealth you will need to go small since the search has gotten harder with wands, metal detectors etc due to the crazy world we live in. 

Check yard sale, there is mid priced gear that can be had at reasonable prices.

[rocksuitcase]

The DR70D is inexpensive but some have had issues with it, mainly not buying or using approved cards. We have been using a TAscam DR680 mkI for about 8 months now and really dig it. It is about twice the footprint as the Dr70D, but prolly a bit smaller than the FR2LE. Main advantage over the 70D is 6 channels, but only 4 XLR, the other two channels are balanced (TRS) 1/4 inch. Uses SD cards and has been solid for us so far. We got ours used in the YS for $325.
I don't have experience with the Busmans but many folks here like them, so the only mics I could rec are any set of AKG actives, prolly find some used although they seem to be getting "rare" to find. There was a Custom Neumann SKM-140 / Naiant PFA Rig chopped for active use in the YS, but over your budget ($1,400) . Would be awesome set up though. (not affiliated)
Whatever it is, get out there and record some live music! 

[dnsacks]

Specs for the FR2LE indicate it would run for 8 hours using 4x nimh aa-sized batteries (internal) -- suspect that it may well run a lot longer using newer technology rechargable NiMH batteries -- wondering what you'd gain in portability going to a different recorder and whether you'd still need the other accessories (pads, etc.) if switching to a different deck.  Do you still have the FR2LE's internal battery pack?  Perhaps you could start by slimming down your existing rig/recorder to its essentials and then decide whether you're more interested in smaller mics or a smaller recorder.  Doug Oade's mods to these decks' analog sections are really nice and I'd suspect the options discussed above would result in a step back, sonically.

[rocksuitcase]

Specs for the FR2LE indicate it would run for 8 hours using 4x nimh aa-sized batteries (internal) -- suspect that it may well run a lot longer using newer technology rechargable NiMH batteries -- wondering what you'd gain in portability going to a different recorder and whether you'd still need the other accessories (pads, etc.) if switching to a different deck.  Do you still have the FR2LE's internal battery pack?  Perhaps you could start by slimming down your existing rig/recorder to its essentials and then decide whether you're more interested in smaller mics or a smaller recorder.  Doug Oade's mods to these decks' analog sections are really nice and I'd suspect the options discussed above would result in a step back, sonically.

I/m gonna agree with dnsacks here. Your deck with Oade mod would most certainly have better pre-amps thus would be sonically favored over the DR70D or DR680 (unless you found one of them Oade modded).

[rippleish20]

I started taping again after a long time. I have Telefunken M60/62 (cardiods and hypers) which I like a lot but just started using a Schoeps MK4 &  KC Active/Naiant PFA combo and like this even more. The active setups add a lot of versatility to me and make open and stealth taping easier with one setup. I am probably going to sell my Telefunkens and get a pair of MK41vs to add to the active setup...

[splumer]

All the hipsters are using reel-to-reel.








 

[HealthCov Chris]

Sounds like your current rig is still good for open recording.  Maybe pick up a second recorder (pocket sized) for shows where you don't want to fuss over equipment.  Patch into someone else's equipment or a soundboard and there you have it!   The Sony PCM-M10, Tascam dr2d, or the Roland R-05 are good investments if you just want to drop off at soundboard for patches.  These seem to be the popular options for pocket sized recorders and can all be found for around $200. 

Later you can pick up a good external preamp and run your current mics through the preamp and pocket recorder. 

[mec111272]

Love my Busman BSC-1's.  There are "improved" caps out there, but I am not sure if they are still available from Busman. 

[ScoobieKW]

To control for just deck, here are two stereo captures with the DR70D and BSC1s.

https://archive.org/details/eo2015-09-11.scoobiesnax
https://archive.org/details/jg2015-09-09.scoobiesnax

The weak point in the ACB recordings is the bar's sound system and sound guy. His mixes are getting better, but...

There are definitely better recorders with better preamps available, however performance for price led me to the DR70D. Now that Tascam has fixed the write problems it's gaining bakc it's favored status for budget recorders.

[F.O.Bean]

If you plan on doing 4 channel or matrix's at any point, and want good sound stock with 4x XLR INS, the Tascam DR70D is a no-brainer IMO

Here's some recent Phish mk41>PFA>DR70D sources
2016-06-22
16 Bit BT
http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=587190&hit=1
24 Bit BT
http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=587198&hit=1

2016-07-10
16 Bit BT
http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=587603&hit=1
24 Bit BT
http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=587605&hit=1